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Swanson Elementary School

Summary:

Swanson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Arvada, Colorado, serving 212 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Jefferson County School District No. R-1, which is ranked 35 out of 116 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Swanson Elementary stands out for its significantly higher percentage of Hispanic students (51.42%) compared to nearby schools, which range from 21.07% to 80.2% Hispanic. However, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Colorado elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Swanson lags behind the district and state averages in proficiency rates for CMAS assessments in English Language Arts, Math, and Science, with rates as low as 9.2% in Math. The school's ranking for female, male, Hispanic, and low-income students is in the bottom half of Colorado elementary schools, indicating significant achievement gaps.

In contrast, Warder Elementary and Hackberry Hill Elementary, both nearby schools, have 4-star ratings and consistently outperform Swanson on academic measures. Swanson's high percentage of low-income students, over 70% receiving free or reduced-price lunch, may be a contributing factor to its lower performance. This presents an opportunity for the school and district to implement targeted interventions and support systems to address the unique needs of Swanson's student population and improve overall academic achievement.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 6055 West 68th Avenue
       Arvada, CO  80003-4117

(303) 982-0891

District: Jefferson County School District No. R-1

SchoolDigger Rank:
752nd of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $19,551 Help


Students who attend Swanson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    North Arvada Middle School
High:    Arvada High School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.7 Help
Number of students:  212

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
51.4%
White:
41.0%
Two or more races:
3.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  72.2% Help


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 Compare Swanson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Swanson Elementary School ranks worse than 79.7% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 75th 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 18.84. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a 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 Swanson 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 Swanson Elementary School is $19,551, which is the 4th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Swanson Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Swanson Elementary School 752nd of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Swanson Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male 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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Your rating for Swanson Elementary School?

Rank History for Swanson Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Swanson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 20.74 666th 808 17.6%
2005 21.21 675th 823 18.0%
2006 16.22 706th 829 14.8%
2007 10.99 769th 852 9.7%
2008 17.39 721st 849 15.1%
2009 17.99 732nd 872 16.1%
2010 22.02 750th 925 18.9%
2011 18.17 783rd 935 16.3%
2012 13.51 819th 935 12.4%
2013 9.07 882nd 954 7.5%
2014 16.45 819th 962 14.9%
2015 18.46 774th 938 17.5%
2016 15.54 791st 914 13.5%
2017 15.84 790th 929 15.0%
2018 19.76 727th 917 20.7%
2019 9.53 922nd 965 4.5%
2022 20.14 719th 921 21.9%
2023 15.76 797th 933 14.6%
2024 18.84 752nd 943 20.3%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Swanson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.08 200th 308 35.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Swanson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.20 565th 690 18.1%
2019 13.28 690th 758 9.0%
2024 17.34 572nd 684 16.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Swanson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.28 625th 693 9.8%
2019 5.97 757th 764 0.9%
2024 14.93 590th 683 13.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Swanson Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.55 126th 172 26.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Hispanic 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.

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, October 11, 2018

Open Quote Swanson is full of dedicated, skilled and caring teachers. My son is doing amazing here due to the support he receives from everyone at Swanson. There is a community within this school that is hard to find. An absolute gem dropped in the public school system. Close Quote


by a citizen
Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Open Quote Talented teachers that give without reserve to their students! Excellent learning experience for students, as evidence by generations of siblings that choose to return to Swanson. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Swanson 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 557 5 16 78 5 n/a n/a 0 661
1989 565 4 18 76 4 n/a n/a 0 667
1990 552 4 27 72 3 n/a n/a 0 658
1991 570 3 35 87 4 n/a n/a 0 699
1992 595 1 38 75 3 n/a n/a 0 712
1993 589 4 45 86 2 n/a n/a 0 726
1994 627 2 53 79 2 n/a n/a 0 763
1995 673 10 49 86 5 n/a n/a 0 823
1996 673 10 49 86 5 n/a n/a 0 823
1997 666 16 50 107 1 n/a n/a 0 840
1998 644 16 71 110 0 n/a n/a 0 841
1999 580 11 64 129 0 n/a n/a 0 784
2000 538 11 61 169 1 n/a n/a 0 780
2001 485 9 49 188 0 n/a n/a 0 731
2002 415 15 46 170 8 n/a n/a 0 654
2003 415 15 46 170 8 n/a n/a 0 654
2004 427 21 42 172 9 n/a n/a 0 671
2005 378 17 27 201 10 n/a n/a 0 633
2006 331 13 33 203 9 n/a n/a 0 589
2007 303 15 28 218 7 n/a n/a 0 571
2008 271 10 31 232 8 n/a n/a 0 552
2009 270 15 33 219 8 n/a n/a 0 545
2010 257 13 41 222 10 n/a n/a 0 543
2011 190 6 29 220 8 0 15 0 468
2012 182 10 32 212 6 0 8 0 450
2013 175 12 24 206 8 1 9 0 435
2014 173 10 28 185 3 2 11 0 412
2015 162 10 26 188 7 1 6 0 400
2016 146 7 27 208 4 1 13 0 406
2017 146 5 22 172 3 1 9 0 358
2018 146 4 19 159 2 1 8 0 339
2019 128 2 16 119 1 0 7 0 273
2020 114 3 13 121 4 0 4 0 259
2021 86 3 10 125 2 0 5 0 231
2022 97 2 6 114 0 0 8 0 227
2023 87 2 6 109 0 0 8 0 212

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 Swanson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 661 30.5 21.6 n/a
1989 667 32.0 20.8 11.2
1990 658 29.9 22.0 10
1991 699 30.6 22.8 8.9
1992 712 29.9 23.8 9.1
1993 726 31.4 23.1 11.2
1994 763 32.1 23.8 12.8
1995 823 35.7 23.1 12.2
1996 823 35.7 23.1 12.2
1997 840 34.1 24.6 16.1
1998 841 33.1 25.4 17.7
1999 784 37.2 21.1 16.7
2000 780 33.0 23.6 27.3
2001 731 36.0 20.3 25.7
2002 654 29.0 22.6 26.6
2003 654 29.0 22.6 26.6
2004 671 32.8 20.5 32.2
2005 633 29.8 21.2 38.7
2006 589 31.9 18.5 46.3
2007 571 29.5 19.4 50.3
2008 552 28.5 19.4 49.6
2009 545 33.0 16.5 64.4
2010 543 33.3 16.2 68
2011 468 31.3 14.9 75.9
2012 450 31.5 14.2 77.8
2013 435 30.3 14.3 79.5
2014 412 29.0 14.2 74
2015 400 32.0 12.5 69.3
2016 406 30.0 13.5 68.5
2017 358 25.2 14.1 65.9
2018 339 22.8 14.8 64.3
2019 273 20.2 13.4 66.7
2020 259 20.7 12.4 68.7
2021 231 19.0 12.1 71.9
2022 227 18.3 12.3 65.6
2023 212 18.0 11.7 72.2

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 Swanson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 661 30.5 21.6 n/a
1989 667 32.0 20.8 11.2
1990 658 29.9 22.0 10
1991 699 30.6 22.8 8.9
1992 712 29.9 23.8 9.1
1993 726 31.4 23.1 11.2
1994 763 32.1 23.8 12.8
1995 823 35.7 23.1 12.2
1996 823 35.7 23.1 12.2
1997 840 34.1 24.6 16.1
1998 841 33.1 25.4 17.7
1999 784 37.2 21.1 16.7
2000 780 33.0 23.6 27.3
2001 731 36.0 20.3 25.7
2002 654 29.0 22.6 26.6
2003 654 29.0 22.6 26.6
2004 671 32.8 20.5 32.2
2005 633 29.8 21.2 38.7
2006 589 31.9 18.5 46.3
2007 571 29.5 19.4 50.3
2008 552 28.5 19.4 49.6
2009 545 33.0 16.5 64.4
2010 543 33.3 16.2 68
2011 468 31.3 14.9 75.9
2012 450 31.5 14.2 77.8
2013 435 30.3 14.3 79.5
2014 412 29.0 14.2 74
2015 400 32.0 12.5 69.3
2016 406 30.0 13.5 68.5
2017 358 25.2 14.1 65.9
2018 339 22.8 14.8 64.3
2019 273 20.2 13.4 66.7
2020 259 20.7 12.4 68.7
2021 231 19.0 12.1 71.9
2022 227 18.3 12.3 65.6
2023 212 18.0 11.7 72.2

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 Swanson Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $12,857
2020 $14,127
2021 $15,063
2022 $16,631
2023 $19,551

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Swanson 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 922nd of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 797th of 933 Elementary schools
 10.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Swanson Elementary School)21.617.2
 4.4%
   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 (Swanson Elementary School)13.524.1
 10.6%
   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 (Swanson Elementary School)22.829.6
 6.8%
   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%
5th Grade Science (Swanson Elementary School)16.317.6
 1.3%
   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 (Swanson Elementary School)20.420
 0.4%
   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%
All Grades English Language Arts (Swanson Elementary School)21.722
 0.3%
   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 (Swanson Elementary School)9.114.1
 5%
   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 Students273212
 22.3%
African American22
American Indian10
 100%
Asian166
 62.5%
Hispanic119109
 8.4%
Pacific Islander00
White12887
 32%
Two or More Races78
 14.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients66.7%72.2%
 5.5%

Schools Near Swanson Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Swanson Elementary School

Students at Swanson Elementary School are 51% Hispanic, 41% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Swanson Elementary School ranks in the bottom 20.3% of Colorado elementary schools.

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

Middle : North Arvada Middle School
High : Arvada High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 212 students attended Swanson Elementary 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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