Desert Sage Elementary School

Summary:

Desert Sage Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Pueblo West, Colorado, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 369 and is part of the Pueblo County School District 70.

While Desert Sage has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic students, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Colorado elementary schools over the past 10 years, placing it in the 2-star rating category from SchoolDigger. However, the school's Hispanic students and low socioeconomic status students perform significantly better than the school's overall performance, ranking in the top 20-55 out of 153-265 Colorado elementary schools in those subgroups. Desert Sage's proficiency rates on state assessments are generally lower than the district and state averages, but the school's proximity to several higher-performing elementary schools, such as Prairie Winds, Cedar Ridge, and Swallows Charter Academy, presents opportunities for collaboration and sharing of best practices.

Over the past 3 years, Desert Sage has seen a decrease in its White student population and an increase in its Hispanic student population, which may require adjustments in instructional strategies and support services to meet the needs of the changing student population. While the school's overall performance is currently below average, its strong performance with Hispanic and low-income students suggests that there may be opportunities for improvement through targeted interventions and by leveraging the strengths of the higher-performing nearby schools.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 935 South Palomar Drive
       Pueblo West, CO  81007-6449


(719) 647-8878

District: Pueblo County School District 70

SchoolDigger Rank:
614th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,743 Help


Students who attend Desert Sage Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Pueblo West High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.5 Help
Number of students:  369

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
45.5%
White:
45.3%
Two or more races:
6.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  61% Help


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 Compare Desert Sage Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Desert Sage Elementary School ranks worse than 65.1% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 11th among 12 ranked elementary schools in the Pueblo County School District 70. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 30.06. (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
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Compare Details Desert Sage Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Pueblo County School District 70.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Desert Sage Elementary School is $11,743, which is the 4th highest among 12 elementary schools in the Pueblo County School District 70.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Desert Sage Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Desert Sage Elementary School 614th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Desert Sage Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male 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 Desert Sage Elementary School?

Rank History for Desert Sage Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 54.07 406th 808 49.8%
2005 56.82 389th 823 52.7%
2006 52.05 443rd 829 46.6%
2007 36.80 584th 852 31.5%
2008 62.99 336th 849 60.4%
2009 56.12 417th 872 52.2%
2010 56.13 453rd 925 51.0%
2011 50.96 499th 935 46.6%
2012 55.81 452nd 935 51.7%
2013 61.66 381st 954 60.1%
2014 53.94 462nd 962 52.0%
2015 43.34 490th 938 47.8%
2016 57.03 353rd 914 61.4%
2017 41.30 501st 929 46.1%
2018 39.55 529th 917 42.3%
2019 36.40 583rd 965 39.6%
2022 33.95 581st 921 36.9%
2023 30.18 606th 933 35.0%
2024 30.06 614th 943 34.9%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.77 158th 308 48.7%
2019 43.74 180th 332 45.8%
2022 59.61 55th 203 72.9%
2023 50.22 120th 265 54.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.99 491st 690 28.8%
2019 26.27 543rd 758 28.4%
2022 38.65 355th 595 40.3%
2023 19.73 514th 642 19.9%
2024 39.68 409th 684 40.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.91 433rd 693 37.5%
2019 35.24 473rd 764 38.1%
2022 34.18 377th 594 36.5%
2023 26.15 473rd 649 27.1%
2024 15.50 584th 683 14.5%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.34 25th 172 85.5%
2022 77.19 20th 153 86.9%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 21.84 483rd 596 19.0%
2023 10.30 504th 525 4.0%
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.

Desert Sage Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
75%

0%

0%

0%

25%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, November 13, 2014

Open Quote Desert Sage Elementary is a corrupt school from the top down. Beware do not send you child. I am in the process of removing my child from this horrible environment. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Open Quote I have never seen a staff including teachers, principal, secretary, and everyone else who works at Desert Sage, care for children the way they do at this school.

Every child is treated as if they are the only one. Every need of every child is met at this school! Close Quote


Facebook Profile Picture by a parent on FaceBook
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Open Quote Desert Sage Elementary is an excellent school! I currently have 1 brother who is enrolled in the school,(I am 26 so this is not a student comment)and he just loves it. He has amazing teachers each year he has attended the school and my mother is a huge part of the PTA, which really tries to do a lot for the children. I highly recommend Desert Sage! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Desert Sage Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2002 418 12 0 191 5 n/a n/a 0 626
2003 418 12 0 191 5 n/a n/a 0 626
2004 456 13 2 207 4 n/a n/a 0 682
2005 284 6 2 132 4 n/a n/a 0 428
2006 303 11 2 139 5 n/a n/a 0 460
2007 285 15 3 149 7 n/a n/a 0 459
2008 283 14 2 170 9 n/a n/a 0 478
2009 270 17 3 162 12 n/a n/a 0 464
2010 268 14 5 148 11 n/a n/a 0 446
2011 244 11 2 168 4 0 4 0 433
2012 231 6 3 166 1 0 2 0 409
2013 198 8 2 157 3 0 5 0 373
2014 202 3 2 169 2 0 9 0 387
2015 205 2 4 189 0 0 10 0 410
2016 206 2 5 200 1 0 13 0 427
2017 219 3 3 190 0 0 12 0 427
2018 213 3 4 196 1 0 24 0 441
2019 211 1 3 175 1 0 18 0 409
2020 209 1 5 169 0 0 21 0 405
2021 180 0 5 158 0 0 15 0 358
2022 191 4 2 160 0 0 18 0 375
2023 167 6 3 168 0 0 25 0 369

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 Desert Sage Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 626 31.3 20.0 30.7
2003 626 31.3 20.0 30.7
2004 682 31.0 22.0 30.8
2005 428 21.4 20.0 37.6
2006 460 21.5 21.4 39.6
2007 459 22.5 20.4 37.3
2008 478 23.3 20.5 39.7
2009 464 25.0 18.6 40.1
2010 446 25.0 17.8 41.7
2011 433 24.2 17.8 43.9
2012 409 21.3 19.1 48.4
2013 373 19.3 19.2 55
2014 387 21.3 18.1 51.7
2015 410 23.0 17.8 57.3
2016 427 23.0 18.5 53.2
2017 427 17.7 24.0 54.3
2018 441 22.8 19.3 62.1
2019 409 23.2 17.5 54.8
2020 405 23.1 17.5 61.7
2021 358 19.0 18.8 59.8
2022 375 21.8 17.1 52.5
2023 369 21.0 17.5 61

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 Desert Sage Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 626 31.3 20.0 30.7
2003 626 31.3 20.0 30.7
2004 682 31.0 22.0 30.8
2005 428 21.4 20.0 37.6
2006 460 21.5 21.4 39.6
2007 459 22.5 20.4 37.3
2008 478 23.3 20.5 39.7
2009 464 25.0 18.6 40.1
2010 446 25.0 17.8 41.7
2011 433 24.2 17.8 43.9
2012 409 21.3 19.1 48.4
2013 373 19.3 19.2 55
2014 387 21.3 18.1 51.7
2015 410 23.0 17.8 57.3
2016 427 23.0 18.5 53.2
2017 427 17.7 24.0 54.3
2018 441 22.8 19.3 62.1
2019 409 23.2 17.5 54.8
2020 405 23.1 17.5 61.7
2021 358 19.0 18.8 59.8
2022 375 21.8 17.1 52.5
2023 369 21.0 17.5 61

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 Desert Sage Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $8,403
2020 $8,853
2021 $9,461
2022 $11,031
2023 $11,743

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Desert Sage 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 583rd of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 606th of 933 Elementary schools
 4.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Desert Sage Elementary School)27.927.8
 0.1%
   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 (Desert Sage Elementary School)25.426
 0.6%
   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 (Desert Sage Elementary School)5035.2
 14.8%
   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 (Desert Sage Elementary School)2622.2
 3.8%
   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 (Desert Sage Elementary School)3826.6
 11.4%
   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 (Desert Sage Elementary School)42.546.9
 4.4%
   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 (Desert Sage Elementary School)25.323.4
 1.9%
   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 (Desert Sage Elementary School)40.536.3
 4.2%
   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 (Desert Sage Elementary School)25.624.1
 1.5%
   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 Students409369
 9.8%
African American16
 500%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian33
Hispanic175168
 4%
Pacific Islander00
White211167
 20.9%
Two or More Races1825
 38.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients54.8%61%
 6.2%


Schools Near Desert Sage Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Desert Sage Elementary School

Students who attend Desert Sage Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Pueblo West High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 369 students attended Desert Sage Elementary School.

Desert Sage Elementary School ranks 614th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Desert Sage Elementary School are 46% Hispanic, 45% White, 7% Two or more races, 2% African American.


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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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