Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

Summary:

Cottonwood Plains Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Collins, Colorado, serving 386 students in grades PK-5. While the school is part of the Thompson School District R-2j, which is ranked 46 out of 116 districts in the state, Cottonwood Plains has consistently underperformed compared to nearby schools and the state average.

Cottonwood Plains has a more diverse student population, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (44.3%) and two or more races (7.51%) students compared to nearby schools like Ponderosa Elementary, Centennial Elementary, and Coyote Ridge Elementary, which have a higher percentage of white students. However, Cottonwood Plains consistently underperforms these schools and the state in CMAS assessments for English Language Arts, Math, and Science, with only 31.4% of students proficient or better in ELA and 22.1% in Math, compared to the district and state averages of around 40%.

Cottonwood Plains has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranks in the bottom half of Colorado elementary schools, while nearby schools like Werner Elementary and Bacon Elementary in the Poudre School District have higher rankings and ratings. Cottonwood Plains also faces challenges with a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, which likely contributes to their lower academic performance.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 525 Turman Drive
       Fort Collins, CO  80525-9399


(970) 613-5900

District: Thompson School District R-2j

SchoolDigger Rank:
692nd of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,197 Help


Students who attend Cottonwood Plains Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Lucile Erwin Middle School
High:    Loveland High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.1 Help
Number of students:  386

Racial breakdown:

White:
46.4%
Hispanic:
44.3%
Two or more races:
7.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  51.8% Help


 See top rated Colorado elementary schools

 Compare Cottonwood Plains Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Cottonwood Plains Elementary School ranks worse than 73.4% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 16th among 19 ranked elementary schools in the Thompson School District R-2j. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.59. (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 Cottonwood Plains Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Thompson School District R-2j.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School is $16,197, which is the 9th highest among 19 elementary schools in the Thompson School District R-2j.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Cottonwood Plains Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Cottonwood Plains Elementary School 692nd of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Cottonwood Plains Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Thompson School District R-2j:

SchoolDigger ranks Thompson School District R-2j 46th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Cottonwood Plains Elementary School?

Rank History for Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 62.53 329th 808 59.3%
2005 66.21 297th 823 63.9%
2006 72.42 230th 829 72.3%
2007 73.58 218th 852 74.4%
2008 66.46 295th 849 65.3%
2009 70.54 259th 872 70.3%
2010 65.61 337th 925 63.6%
2011 69.97 287th 935 69.3%
2012 71.97 261st 935 72.1%
2013 58.77 417th 954 56.3%
2014 64.52 338th 962 64.9%
2015 64.55 292nd 938 68.9%
2016 57.93 344th 914 62.4%
2017 57.59 346th 929 62.8%
2018 45.15 468th 917 49.0%
2019 42.12 524th 965 45.7%
2021 27.22 547th 710 23.0%
2022 17.29 768th 921 16.6%
2023 24.67 676th 933 27.5%
2024 23.59 692nd 943 26.6%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.11 214th 308 30.5%
2019 26.41 280th 332 15.7%
2023 16.31 258th 265 2.6%
2024 13.53 349th 365 4.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.84 469th 690 32.0%
2019 24.25 569th 758 24.9%
2022 12.14 545th 595 8.4%
2023 19.57 515th 642 19.8%
2024 13.67 606th 684 11.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.95 358th 693 48.3%
2019 46.26 375th 764 50.9%
2022 14.54 526th 594 11.4%
2023 33.72 412th 649 36.5%
2024 20.43 531st 683 22.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.92 180th 337 46.6%
2019 38.42 370th 596 37.9%
2023 43.26 305th 525 41.9%
2024 17.83 477th 539 11.5%
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.

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.5)
0%

50%

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0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Open Quote There is a lot of diversity at Cottonwood. Students follow PRIDE. They learn “to do the right things even when no one is looking!!” Teachers work to support and help each child learn and grow. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, January 10, 2020

Open Quote Schools like this are why our system is not even in the top 50 worldwide. Mediocrity fest all around. Fifth graders still cannot spell basic words correctly but this does not seem to deter the teachers from displaying their written work in the hallways - spelling mistakes and all...as if they are something to be proud of. Seriously personal items theft and bullying issues too. Dormant admin. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1994 240 0 0 32 5 n/a n/a 0 277
1995 267 1 4 54 2 n/a n/a 0 328
1996 267 1 4 54 2 n/a n/a 0 328
1997 284 5 4 50 6 n/a n/a 0 349
1998 311 2 4 40 2 n/a n/a 0 359
1999 357 4 3 42 4 n/a n/a 0 410
2000 378 5 10 37 7 n/a n/a 0 437
2001 389 4 12 45 7 n/a n/a 0 457
2002 392 1 14 51 4 n/a n/a 0 462
2003 392 1 14 51 4 n/a n/a 0 462
2004 381 2 16 59 5 n/a n/a 0 463
2005 402 3 12 64 4 n/a n/a 0 485
2006 422 10 14 78 5 n/a n/a 0 529
2007 407 11 17 76 6 n/a n/a 0 517
2008 435 8 14 100 4 n/a n/a 0 561
2009 356 7 13 79 3 n/a n/a 0 458
2010 337 8 15 77 1 n/a n/a 0 438
2011 312 2 4 88 0 0 20 0 426
2012 294 7 3 90 0 0 22 0 416
2013 289 7 4 98 1 0 14 0 413
2014 274 7 4 113 0 0 10 0 408
2015 278 4 3 133 0 0 6 0 424
2016 278 7 4 143 0 0 14 0 446
2017 246 7 4 149 1 0 9 0 416
2018 223 7 3 170 0 1 15 0 419
2019 231 6 2 168 1 0 20 0 428
2020 224 5 4 165 1 0 20 0 419
2021 173 7 3 152 1 0 27 0 363
2022 194 5 2 164 0 0 29 0 394
2023 179 4 2 171 1 0 29 0 386

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 Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 277 11.7 23.7 26
1995 328 16.3 20.1 22.6
1996 328 16.3 20.1 22.6
1997 349 18.0 19.4 21.8
1998 359 17.0 21.1 19.2
1999 410 19.3 21.2 14.9
2000 437 18.5 23.6 21.5
2001 457 24.2 18.9 18.6
2002 462 28.5 16.2 21.9
2003 462 28.5 16.2 21.9
2004 463 27.6 16.8 25.1
2005 485 27.5 17.6 24.5
2006 529 28.2 18.8 23.6
2007 517 26.2 19.7 27.3
2008 561 28.4 19.8 28.3
2009 458 26.3 17.4 30.1
2010 438 25.1 17.4 29.9
2011 426 23.8 17.8 36.2
2012 416 21.8 19.0 39.4
2013 413 23.9 17.2 41.9
2014 408 26.5 15.3 46.3
2015 424 26.0 16.3 47.2
2016 446 25.0 17.8 49.6
2017 416 24.6 16.8 53.4
2018 419 24.8 16.8 57
2019 428 24.9 17.1 54.2
2020 419 24.2 17.2 47.5
2021 363 26.0 13.9 43.5
2022 394 26.1 15.0 36.8
2023 386 25.5 15.1 51.8

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 Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 277 11.7 23.7 26
1995 328 16.3 20.1 22.6
1996 328 16.3 20.1 22.6
1997 349 18.0 19.4 21.8
1998 359 17.0 21.1 19.2
1999 410 19.3 21.2 14.9
2000 437 18.5 23.6 21.5
2001 457 24.2 18.9 18.6
2002 462 28.5 16.2 21.9
2003 462 28.5 16.2 21.9
2004 463 27.6 16.8 25.1
2005 485 27.5 17.6 24.5
2006 529 28.2 18.8 23.6
2007 517 26.2 19.7 27.3
2008 561 28.4 19.8 28.3
2009 458 26.3 17.4 30.1
2010 438 25.1 17.4 29.9
2011 426 23.8 17.8 36.2
2012 416 21.8 19.0 39.4
2013 413 23.9 17.2 41.9
2014 408 26.5 15.3 46.3
2015 424 26.0 16.3 47.2
2016 446 25.0 17.8 49.6
2017 416 24.6 16.8 53.4
2018 419 24.8 16.8 57
2019 428 24.9 17.1 54.2
2020 419 24.2 17.2 47.5
2021 363 26.0 13.9 43.5
2022 394 26.1 15.0 36.8
2023 386 25.5 15.1 51.8

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 Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $10,671
2020 $11,726
2021 $14,055
2022 $13,880
2023 $16,197

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Cottonwood Plains 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 524th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 676th of 933 Elementary schools
 18.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cottonwood Plains Elementary School)35.335.9
 0.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Thompson School District R-2j)46.139.3
 6.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Cottonwood Plains Elementary School)44.130.3
 13.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Thompson School District R-2j)48.242
 6.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cottonwood Plains Elementary School)47.331.9
 15.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Thompson School District R-2j)5246.2
 5.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Cottonwood Plains Elementary School)26.812.8
 14%
   4th Grade Math (Thompson School District R-2j)37.230.7
 6.5%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Cottonwood Plains Elementary School)29.319.6
 9.7%
   5th Grade Science (Thompson School District R-2j)35.433.8
 1.6%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cottonwood Plains Elementary School)3633.3
 2.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Thompson School District R-2j)49.450.1
 0.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Cottonwood Plains Elementary School)38.712.2
 26.5%
   5th Grade Math (Thompson School District R-2j)37.733.1
 4.6%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Cottonwood Plains Elementary School)38.934
 4.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Thompson School District R-2j)45.842.4
 3.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Cottonwood Plains Elementary School)37.219.8
 17.4%
   All Grades Math (Thompson School District R-2j)35.731.2
 4.5%
   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 Students428386
 9.8%
African American64
 33.3%
American Indian11
Asian22
Hispanic168171
 1.8%
Pacific Islander00
White231179
 22.5%
Two or More Races2029
 45%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients54.2%51.8%
 2.4%


Schools Near Cottonwood Plains Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Cottonwood Plains Elementary School

Students who attend Cottonwood Plains Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Lucile Erwin Middle School
High : Loveland High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 386 students attended Cottonwood Plains Elementary School.

Students at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School are 46% White, 44% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 1% African American.

Cottonwood Plains Elementary School ranks 692nd of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.


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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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