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Sierra Elementary School

Summary:

Sierra Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Arvada, Colorado, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 445. The school is part of the Jefferson County School District No. R-1, which is ranked 35 out of 116 districts in Colorado and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sierra Elementary consistently outperforms the district and state averages on CMAS assessments in English Language Arts, Math, and Science. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 61.5% of all students at Sierra Elementary were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 51.8% for the district and 44.1% for the state. In Math, 64.4% of all students at Sierra were proficient or better, compared to 40.7% for the district and 34.2% for the state. The school has maintained a strong statewide ranking, placing in the top 15% of Colorado elementary schools in recent years, and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for the 2022-2023 school year.

Sierra Elementary has a significantly higher percentage of White students (82.92%) compared to the nearby schools, such as Weber Elementary School, Van Arsdale Elementary School, and Meiklejohn Elementary, which have more diverse student populations. Additionally, Sierra Elementary has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 13.93% to 14.61% over the past three school years, which is lower than the nearby schools.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 7751 Oak Street
       Arvada, CO  80005-3621

(303) 982-0821

District: Jefferson County School District No. R-1

SchoolDigger Rank:
121st of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,981 Help


Students who attend Sierra Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Oberon Middle School
High:    Ralston Valley Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.1 Help
Number of students:  445

Racial breakdown:

White:
82.9%
Hispanic:
12.6%
Two or more races:
2.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  14.6% Help


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 Compare Sierra Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Sierra Elementary School ranks better than 87.2% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 16th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.14. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Sierra Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1.  (See more...)
Teachers
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sierra Elementary School is $14,981. 56 elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Sierra Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Sierra Elementary School 121st of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Sierra Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Jefferson County School District No. R-1:

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson County School District No. R-1 35th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Sierra Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Sierra Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 78.17 168th 808 79.2%
2005 83.05 99th 823 88.0%
2006 82.57 109th 829 86.9%
2007 77.09 174th 852 79.6%
2008 79.20 151st 849 82.2%
2009 72.35 239th 872 72.6%
2010 81.20 151st 925 83.7%
2011 83.75 127th 935 86.4%
2012 86.98 94th 935 89.9%
2013 85.42 112th 954 88.3%
2014 84.52 115th 962 88.0%
2015 88.31 81st 938 91.4%
2016 80.15 146th 914 84.0%
2017 83.30 128th 929 86.2%
2018 84.75 121st 917 86.8%
2019 82.52 140th 965 85.5%
2021 82.26 130th 710 81.7%
2022 91.94 52nd 921 94.4%
2023 89.78 76th 933 91.9%
2024 85.14 121st 943 87.2%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Female students at Sierra Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.70 150th 690 78.3%
2019 79.12 130th 758 82.8%
2021 71.55 110th 351 68.7%
2022 92.08 27th 595 95.5%
2023 84.24 78th 642 87.9%
2024 75.15 133rd 684 80.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Sierra Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.21 57th 84 32.1%
2019 11.14 108th 110 1.8%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Sierra Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.50 92nd 693 86.7%
2019 73.72 169th 764 77.9%
2021 74.18 102nd 352 71.0%
2022 83.39 78th 594 86.9%
2023 84.83 76th 649 88.3%
2024 83.12 94th 683 86.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Sierra Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.32 128th 337 62.0%
2019 60.33 211th 596 64.6%
2022 78.11 81st 454 82.2%
2023 86.70 42nd 525 92.0%
2024 65.70 182nd 539 66.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Sierra Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Colorado Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Sierra Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 471 0 13 15 0 n/a n/a 0 499
1989 503 3 9 15 0 n/a n/a 0 530
1990 525 3 9 14 0 n/a n/a 0 551
1991 505 3 12 15 0 n/a n/a 0 535
1992 609 4 20 18 0 n/a n/a 0 651
1993 645 6 16 23 3 n/a n/a 0 693
1994 655 5 18 27 0 n/a n/a 0 705
1995 571 4 17 23 0 n/a n/a 0 615
1996 571 4 17 23 0 n/a n/a 0 615
1997 555 4 20 20 1 n/a n/a 0 600
1998 557 6 17 23 2 n/a n/a 0 605
1999 529 6 19 22 1 n/a n/a 0 577
2000 533 5 15 25 1 n/a n/a 0 579
2001 539 3 16 34 1 n/a n/a 0 593
2002 525 4 15 39 1 n/a n/a 0 584
2003 525 4 15 39 1 n/a n/a 0 584
2004 510 4 16 43 2 n/a n/a 0 575
2005 499 6 18 48 3 n/a n/a 0 574
2006 515 7 22 56 3 n/a n/a 0 603
2007 454 10 22 57 4 n/a n/a 0 547
2008 464 10 19 65 4 n/a n/a 0 562
2009 478 11 21 59 5 n/a n/a 0 574
2010 466 12 22 55 5 n/a n/a 0 560
2011 435 4 16 71 2 4 21 0 553
2012 456 5 13 65 2 2 23 0 566
2013 447 3 16 60 2 3 22 0 553
2014 435 1 15 61 1 3 22 0 538
2015 443 0 14 58 3 2 19 0 539
2016 455 1 14 54 3 1 17 0 545
2017 453 0 12 63 1 1 19 0 549
2018 456 0 11 57 0 0 17 0 541
2019 393 0 8 44 1 0 18 0 464
2020 401 2 8 52 0 0 13 0 476
2021 384 2 6 59 0 0 10 0 461
2022 377 1 7 53 0 0 7 0 445
2023 369 1 8 56 0 0 11 0 445

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Sierra Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 499 21.9 22.7 n/a
1989 530 24.0 22.0 2.1
1990 551 24.6 22.3 2.4
1991 535 23.6 22.6 1.5
1992 651 27.4 23.7 2.8
1993 693 29.4 23.6 2.9
1994 705 29.1 24.2 2.1
1995 615 25.6 24.0 1.1
1996 615 25.6 24.0 1.1
1997 600 26.6 22.6 1.8
1998 605 27.5 22.0 4.6
1999 577 26.7 21.6 3.1
2000 579 26.5 21.8 3.8
2001 593 28.3 21.0 3.4
2002 584 30.5 19.1 4.1
2003 584 30.5 19.1 4.1
2004 575 30.7 18.7 6.6
2005 574 29.6 19.4 5.1
2006 603 29.1 20.7 8.5
2007 547 28.8 19.0 9.9
2008 562 29.8 18.9 10.5
2009 574 29.2 19.7 9.8
2010 560 30.0 18.6 10.7
2011 553 28.6 19.2 13.6
2012 566 28.8 19.6 14.3
2013 553 28.0 19.7 15.4
2014 538 26.5 20.3 14.3
2015 539 28.0 19.2 12.8
2016 545 29.0 18.7 12.5
2017 549 27.7 19.8 14.4
2018 541 28.1 19.2 13.3
2019 464 26.2 17.7 14
2020 476 27.9 17.0 12.4
2021 461 27.4 16.8 14.3
2022 445 25.6 17.3 13.9
2023 445 26.0 17.1 14.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Sierra Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 499 21.9 22.7 n/a
1989 530 24.0 22.0 2.1
1990 551 24.6 22.3 2.4
1991 535 23.6 22.6 1.5
1992 651 27.4 23.7 2.8
1993 693 29.4 23.6 2.9
1994 705 29.1 24.2 2.1
1995 615 25.6 24.0 1.1
1996 615 25.6 24.0 1.1
1997 600 26.6 22.6 1.8
1998 605 27.5 22.0 4.6
1999 577 26.7 21.6 3.1
2000 579 26.5 21.8 3.8
2001 593 28.3 21.0 3.4
2002 584 30.5 19.1 4.1
2003 584 30.5 19.1 4.1
2004 575 30.7 18.7 6.6
2005 574 29.6 19.4 5.1
2006 603 29.1 20.7 8.5
2007 547 28.8 19.0 9.9
2008 562 29.8 18.9 10.5
2009 574 29.2 19.7 9.8
2010 560 30.0 18.6 10.7
2011 553 28.6 19.2 13.6
2012 566 28.8 19.6 14.3
2013 553 28.0 19.7 15.4
2014 538 26.5 20.3 14.3
2015 539 28.0 19.2 12.8
2016 545 29.0 18.7 12.5
2017 549 27.7 19.8 14.4
2018 541 28.1 19.2 13.3
2019 464 26.2 17.7 14
2020 476 27.9 17.0 12.4
2021 461 27.4 16.8 14.3
2022 445 25.6 17.3 13.9
2023 445 26.0 17.1 14.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sierra Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $10,946
2020 $11,508
2021 $11,874
2022 $13,329
2023 $14,981

Data source: Colorado Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sierra Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 140th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 76th of 933 Elementary schools
 6.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Sierra Elementary School)57.752.7
 5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)46.348.2
 1.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Sierra Elementary School)50.767.6
 16.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)45.748.1
 2.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Sierra Elementary School)65.664.3
 1.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)5653.5
 2.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Sierra Elementary School)46.962.3
 15.4%
   4th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)38.539.9
 1.4%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Sierra Elementary School)61.267.6
 6.4%
   5th Grade Science (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)41.641.6
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Sierra Elementary School)67.177
 9.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)53.655.6
 2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Sierra Elementary School)6070.3
 10.3%
   5th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)39.441.7
 2.3%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Sierra Elementary School)63.664.7
 1.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)51.750.8
 0.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Sierra Elementary School)53.266.8
 13.6%
   All Grades Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)39.838.7
 1.1%
   All Grades Math (Colorado)34.732.9
 1.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students464445
 4.1%
African American01
American Indian10
 100%
Asian88
Hispanic4456
 27.3%
Pacific Islander00
White393369
 6.1%
Two or More Races1811
 38.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients14%14.6%
 0.6%

Schools Near Sierra Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Sierra Elementary School

Sierra Elementary School ranks 121st of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 445 students attended Sierra Elementary School.

Students at Sierra Elementary School are 83% White, 13% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Students who attend Sierra Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Oberon Middle School
High : Ralston Valley Senior High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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