South Mesa Elementary School

Summary:

South Mesa Elementary School is a public elementary school in Pueblo, Colorado, serving 331 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Pueblo County School District 70, which is ranked 57 out of 116 districts in the state.

South Mesa Elementary has a significantly higher percentage of Hispanic students (61.33%) compared to the Colorado state average of 34.1%. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students (67.67%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. While the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 16.3, its academic performance, as measured by CMAS test scores, is generally below the state and district averages across various grade levels and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (37.1%) and Math (28%) are lower than the state and district averages.

When comparing South Mesa to nearby schools within the same district, such as North Mesa Elementary School, it performs relatively lower in academic achievement. However, South Mesa's Hispanic students perform better than the overall school's performance, ranking 122 out of 242 Colorado elementary schools in 2023-2024. This suggests that the school may be able to better support its Hispanic student population compared to other subgroups. Unfortunately, South Mesa's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 403 out of 962 Colorado elementary schools in 2013-2014 to 598 out of 943 in 2023-2024, indicating that the school's performance has not kept pace with the state's overall improvement.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 23701 East Preston Road
       Pueblo, CO  81006-2000


(719) 543-6444

District: Pueblo County School District 70

SchoolDigger Rank:
598th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,043 Help


Students who attend South Mesa Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Pleasant View Middle School
High:    Pueblo County High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.3 Help
Number of students:  331

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
61.3%
White:
34.7%
Two or more races:
3.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  67.7% Help


 See top rated Colorado elementary schools

 Compare South Mesa Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details South Mesa Elementary School ranks worse than 63.4% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 9th among 12 ranked elementary schools in the Pueblo County School District 70. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 31.48. (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 South Mesa Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Pueblo County School District 70.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Mesa Elementary School is $12,043, which is the 3rd highest among 12 elementary schools in the Pueblo County School District 70.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South Mesa Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks South Mesa Elementary School 598th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See South Mesa Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Pueblo County School District 70:

SchoolDigger ranks Pueblo County School District 70 57th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for South Mesa Elementary School?

Rank History for South Mesa Elementary School

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at South Mesa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 69.60 253rd 808 68.7%
2005 76.73 183rd 823 77.8%
2006 79.00 140th 829 83.1%
2007 75.93 190th 852 77.7%
2008 68.24 270th 849 68.2%
2009 66.85 304th 872 65.1%
2010 67.21 325th 925 64.9%
2011 63.92 364th 935 61.1%
2012 58.49 407th 935 56.5%
2013 58.37 426th 954 55.3%
2014 59.21 403rd 962 58.1%
2015 45.99 470th 938 49.9%
2016 45.99 450th 914 50.8%
2017 42.07 493rd 929 46.9%
2018 49.76 416th 917 54.6%
2019 41.22 533rd 965 44.8%
2021 30.14 524th 710 26.2%
2022 32.42 591st 921 35.8%
2023 40.11 519th 933 44.4%
2024 31.48 598th 943 36.6%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at South Mesa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.02 108th 308 64.9%
2019 51.01 148th 332 55.4%
2021 38.16 58th 75 22.7%
2022 41.26 111th 203 45.3%
2023 41.63 162nd 265 38.9%
2024 33.24 253rd 365 30.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Mesa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.09 361st 690 47.7%
2019 40.69 422nd 758 44.3%
2022 29.44 416th 595 30.1%
2023 34.33 417th 642 35.0%
2024 31.19 464th 684 32.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Mesa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.57 379th 693 45.3%
2019 33.30 491st 764 35.7%
2022 29.78 407th 594 31.5%
2023 28.24 453rd 649 30.2%
2024 17.38 563rd 683 17.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at South Mesa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.58 57th 172 66.9%
2023 61.49 64th 197 67.5%
2024 45.63 122nd 242 49.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at South Mesa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 37.60 374th 596 37.2%
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.

South Mesa Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Colorado Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for South Mesa Elementary School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about South Mesa Elementary School, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for South Mesa Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 295 2 0 142 1 n/a n/a 0 440
1989 297 3 2 135 0 n/a n/a 0 437
1990 267 3 2 140 1 n/a n/a 0 413
1991 269 2 0 127 1 n/a n/a 0 399
1992 282 1 0 120 0 n/a n/a 0 403
1993 299 0 0 129 0 n/a n/a 0 428
1994 290 1 0 141 0 n/a n/a 0 432
1995 271 1 2 145 1 n/a n/a 0 420
1996 271 1 2 145 1 n/a n/a 0 420
1997 256 0 1 145 1 n/a n/a 0 403
1998 258 1 0 139 1 n/a n/a 0 399
1999 244 1 0 136 3 n/a n/a 0 384
2000 257 3 0 147 1 n/a n/a 0 408
2001 259 1 1 129 1 n/a n/a 0 391
2002 215 2 0 125 6 n/a n/a 0 348
2003 215 2 0 125 6 n/a n/a 0 348
2004 200 2 0 118 8 n/a n/a 0 328
2005 193 2 1 122 7 n/a n/a 0 325
2006 165 1 1 144 4 n/a n/a 0 315
2007 171 0 1 128 4 n/a n/a 0 304
2008 155 1 4 119 5 n/a n/a 0 284
2009 163 2 4 130 6 n/a n/a 0 305
2010 183 1 5 129 4 n/a n/a 0 322
2011 176 0 2 144 6 0 10 0 338
2012 160 0 2 160 5 0 10 0 337
2013 165 0 1 158 3 0 12 0 339
2014 181 1 1 203 2 1 11 0 400
2015 175 2 1 214 0 1 14 0 407
2016 199 1 2 222 0 1 23 0 448
2017 194 0 1 219 0 0 21 0 435
2018 188 0 1 225 0 0 22 0 436
2019 176 0 1 238 1 0 13 0 429
2020 162 0 0 218 1 0 17 0 398
2021 138 0 0 214 0 0 17 0 369
2022 117 2 0 208 2 0 15 0 344
2023 115 0 0 203 2 0 11 0 331

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 South Mesa Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 440 24.7 17.8 n/a
1989 437 25.9 16.8 18.1
1990 413 25.3 16.3 16.7
1991 399 22.6 17.6 17.3
1992 403 23.5 17.1 20.6
1993 428 24.6 17.4 24.3
1994 432 25.0 17.3 22.7
1995 420 23.0 18.3 24.5
1996 420 23.0 18.3 24.5
1997 403 23.5 17.1 25.3
1998 399 24.0 16.6 21.6
1999 384 23.0 16.7 22.7
2000 408 22.0 18.5 29.9
2001 391 20.5 19.1 31.7
2002 348 21.0 16.6 45.7
2003 348 21.0 16.6 45.7
2004 328 20.6 15.9 51.5
2005 325 18.0 18.1 49.8
2006 315 17.9 17.6 52.4
2007 304 18.0 16.9 42.1
2008 284 16.5 17.2 45.4
2009 305 17.1 17.8 45.6
2010 322 17.2 18.6 47.2
2011 338 17.8 18.9 52.4
2012 337 17.8 18.9 56.4
2013 339 18.0 18.8 56.6
2014 400 21.5 18.5 59.3
2015 407 21.0 19.3 63.9
2016 448 23.0 19.4 56.7
2017 435 23.2 18.7 49.2
2018 436 23.5 18.5 61
2019 429 23.6 18.1 55
2020 398 24.2 16.4 62.1
2021 369 21.6 17.0 59.3
2022 344 19.9 17.2 61.3
2023 331 20.1 16.3 67.7

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 South Mesa Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 440 24.7 17.8 n/a
1989 437 25.9 16.8 18.1
1990 413 25.3 16.3 16.7
1991 399 22.6 17.6 17.3
1992 403 23.5 17.1 20.6
1993 428 24.6 17.4 24.3
1994 432 25.0 17.3 22.7
1995 420 23.0 18.3 24.5
1996 420 23.0 18.3 24.5
1997 403 23.5 17.1 25.3
1998 399 24.0 16.6 21.6
1999 384 23.0 16.7 22.7
2000 408 22.0 18.5 29.9
2001 391 20.5 19.1 31.7
2002 348 21.0 16.6 45.7
2003 348 21.0 16.6 45.7
2004 328 20.6 15.9 51.5
2005 325 18.0 18.1 49.8
2006 315 17.9 17.6 52.4
2007 304 18.0 16.9 42.1
2008 284 16.5 17.2 45.4
2009 305 17.1 17.8 45.6
2010 322 17.2 18.6 47.2
2011 338 17.8 18.9 52.4
2012 337 17.8 18.9 56.4
2013 339 18.0 18.8 56.6
2014 400 21.5 18.5 59.3
2015 407 21.0 19.3 63.9
2016 448 23.0 19.4 56.7
2017 435 23.2 18.7 49.2
2018 436 23.5 18.5 61
2019 429 23.6 18.1 55
2020 398 24.2 16.4 62.1
2021 369 21.6 17.0 59.3
2022 344 19.9 17.2 61.3
2023 331 20.1 16.3 67.7

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 South Mesa Elementary School

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $8,219
2020 $8,779
2021 $9,040
2022 $10,781
2023 $12,043

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

Impact of COVID-19 on South Mesa 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 533rd of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 519th of 933 Elementary schools
 0.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Mesa Elementary School)3551.2
 16.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pueblo County School District 70)3735.8
 1.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (South Mesa Elementary School)33.846.5
 12.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Pueblo County School District 70)32.333.2
 0.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (South Mesa Elementary School)57.737
 20.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pueblo County School District 70)42.440.1
 2.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (South Mesa Elementary School)19.724.1
 4.4%
   4th Grade Math (Pueblo County School District 70)21.926.4
 4.5%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (South Mesa Elementary School)2826.2
 1.8%
   5th Grade Science (Pueblo County School District 70)36.232.1
 4.1%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (South Mesa Elementary School)53.736.9
 16.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pueblo County School District 70)48.846.9
 1.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (South Mesa Elementary School)26.829.2
 2.4%
   5th Grade Math (Pueblo County School District 70)32.131.9
 0.2%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (South Mesa Elementary School)48.540.7
 7.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Pueblo County School District 70)44.142.8
 1.3%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (South Mesa Elementary School)2732.1
 5.1%
   All Grades Math (Pueblo County School District 70)28.226.6
 1.6%
   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 Students429331
 22.8%
African American00
American Indian12
 100%
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic238203
 14.7%
Pacific Islander00
White176115
 34.7%
Two or More Races1311
 15.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients55%67.7%
 12.7%


Schools Near South Mesa Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about South Mesa Elementary School

South Mesa Elementary School ranks 598th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students who attend South Mesa Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Pleasant View Middle School
High : Pueblo County High School

Students at South Mesa Elementary School are 61% Hispanic, 35% White, 3% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 331 students attended South Mesa Elementary School.


Rate South Mesa Elementary School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for South Mesa Elementary School!




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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 72 milliseconds.