Federal Heights Elementary School

Summary:

Federal Heights Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 414 students in grades PK-5 in the Adams 12 Five Star Schools district in Denver, Colorado, with a predominantly Hispanic student population of 91.06%.

Despite its small class sizes, with just 13.6 students per teacher, Federal Heights Elementary consistently ranks among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Colorado, scoring in the bottom 5-10% over the past decade. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school ranked 911 out of 943 Colorado elementary schools and received a 0 out of 5 star rating from SchoolDigger. Only 9.2% of students were proficient or better in CMAS Math, compared to 33.3% for the Adams 12 Five Star Schools district and 34.2% for the state of Colorado. This low academic performance is in stark contrast to nearby schools like Westview Elementary School, which has significantly higher test scores and a higher SchoolDigger rating.

The high percentage of students from low-income families, with 87.2% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, may be a contributing factor to Federal Heights Elementary's struggles. Additionally, the school's location in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood suggests the need for targeted support and resources to address the unique needs of the student population. Despite these challenges, Federal Heights Elementary has consistently ranked among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Colorado over the past decade, indicating a need for a comprehensive, long-term strategy to improve student outcomes.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 2500 W 96th Avenue
       Denver, CO  80221-5701


(720) 972-5360

District: Adams 12 Five Star Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
911th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,449 Help


Students who attend Federal Heights Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Northglenn Middle School
High:    Northglenn High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.6 Help
Number of students:  414

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
91.1%
White:
7.0%
African American:
1.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  87.2% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Federal Heights Elementary School ranks worse than 96.6% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 30th among 32 ranked elementary schools in the Adams 12 Five Star Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.15. (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 Federal Heights Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Adams 12 Five Star Schools District.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Federal Heights Elementary School is $17,449, which is the 9th highest among 32 elementary schools in the Adams 12 Five Star Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Federal Heights Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Federal Heights Elementary School 911th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Federal Heights Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:


Adams 12 Five Star Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Adams 12 Five Star Schools 53rd of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Federal Heights Elementary School?

Rank History for Federal Heights Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Federal Heights Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 7.17 754th 808 6.7%
2005 10.92 745th 823 9.5%
2006 10.62 743rd 829 10.4%
2007 8.98 789th 852 7.4%
2008 5.45 812th 849 4.4%
2009 12.17 781st 872 10.4%
2010 10.07 842nd 925 9.0%
2011 7.53 876th 935 6.3%
2012 5.41 909th 935 2.8%
2013 3.99 939th 954 1.6%
2014 4.80 950th 962 1.2%
2015 7.68 929th 938 1.0%
2016 8.04 889th 914 2.7%
2017 7.42 913th 929 1.7%
2018 6.11 911th 917 0.7%
2019 10.05 915th 965 5.2%
2021 4.54 710th 710 0.0%
2024 8.15 911th 943 3.4%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Female students at Federal Heights Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 5.28 681st 690 1.3%
2019 6.17 750th 758 1.1%
2024 7.38 661st 684 3.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Federal Heights Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 5.77 688th 693 0.7%
2019 10.57 720th 764 5.8%
2024 6.17 670th 683 1.9%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male 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.

Federal Heights 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: 2.5)
0%

50%

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50%

  

by a teacher
Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Open Quote A little history: This school has had a revolving door of administrators for nearly a decade, most of whom did nothing towards improving the morale or efficacy of the staff much less made any serious attempts to provide opportunities for students to be successful.

Fast forward to 3 years ago, when the current administration team was put in place. Since that time, the following changes have taken place at FHE: content specialized instruction for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade, which has benefitted both teachers ( by allowing them to focus on teaching and planning to their areas of strength) and students, an increase in the free and reduced lunch designation which basically guarantees that benefit for all students, breakfast in the classroom and fresh fruit/vegetables daily for all students, two fully operational computer labs running 60 total computers which is available to teachers, students and the community, an operational and growing PTO ( for the first time in the school's history), several community outreach events throughout the school year ( including free breakfasts and barbecues), a mobile iPad lab, a variety of after school tutoring and club opportunities for students, summer lunches and literacy classes...

My point is simple: schools like FHE do not change overnight, but this administration at least has some vision and a high level of staff support to turn the ship around. There have been pockets of resistance to some of the changes, but these are growing smaller every year. Bad experiences still happen, but everyone at FHE is committed to doing what's best for our students. Close Quote


by a parent on FaceBook
Saturday, May 25, 2013

Open Quote The VERY LOW test scores reflect the Administration of this school. If you have poor leaders the school will follow. The Principal is terrible and has no interest in improving the quality of this school which oviously means the District does not either by keeping him around. My kids have since left this school (thank God for choice enrollment) and their grades have soared. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Federal Heights Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 571 2 2 112 8 n/a n/a 0 695
1989 594 7 3 110 8 n/a n/a 0 722
1990 585 9 1 85 7 n/a n/a 0 687
1991 506 11 2 99 15 n/a n/a 0 633
1992 542 15 3 107 13 n/a n/a 0 680
1993 524 14 6 102 9 n/a n/a 0 655
1994 517 17 6 94 7 n/a n/a 0 641
1995 456 7 4 80 12 n/a n/a 0 559
1996 456 7 4 80 12 n/a n/a 0 559
1997 479 12 4 114 12 n/a n/a 0 621
1998 455 12 2 122 15 n/a n/a 0 606
1999 429 7 6 123 13 n/a n/a 0 578
2000 446 9 4 134 19 n/a n/a 0 612
2001 409 7 4 144 10 n/a n/a 0 574
2002 360 18 13 169 4 n/a n/a 0 564
2003 360 18 13 169 4 n/a n/a 0 564
2004 290 13 12 177 5 n/a n/a 0 497
2005 249 11 8 197 6 n/a n/a 0 471
2006 231 16 9 209 6 n/a n/a 0 471
2007 211 10 9 296 6 n/a n/a 0 532
2008 171 8 10 421 4 n/a n/a 0 614
2009 151 3 10 511 2 n/a n/a 0 677
2010 126 3 4 577 3 n/a n/a 0 713
2011 104 2 0 527 1 0 3 0 637
2012 94 2 1 551 2 0 1 0 651
2013 69 0 0 501 4 0 1 0 575
2014 73 0 2 504 2 0 0 0 581
2015 65 1 0 537 4 0 1 0 608
2016 53 1 0 505 2 0 0 0 561
2017 44 1 0 498 1 0 1 0 545
2018 40 0 1 557 2 0 5 0 605
2019 32 0 3 548 2 0 3 0 588
2020 28 0 4 468 0 0 2 0 502
2021 29 2 1 419 0 0 3 0 454
2022 36 3 2 383 0 0 3 0 427
2023 29 4 2 377 0 0 2 0 414

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 Federal Heights Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 695 41.4 16.7 n/a
1989 722 41.6 17.3 26.9
1990 687 38.7 17.7 34.2
1991 633 37.8 16.7 39.8
1992 680 37.5 18.1 49.7
1993 655 38.2 17.1 45.5
1994 641 38.0 16.9 46.8
1995 559 30.5 18.3 45.6
1996 559 30.5 18.3 45.6
1997 621 31.0 20.0 43
1998 606 33.1 18.3 41.4
1999 578 33.3 17.4 34.9
2000 612 32.5 18.8 52.1
2001 574 32.5 17.7 50.7
2002 564 32.0 17.6 51.4
2003 564 32.0 17.6 51.4
2004 497 29.3 17.0 58.4
2005 471 31.7 14.9 66
2006 471 28.7 16.4 75.8
2007 532 30.3 17.6 77.6
2008 614 33.5 18.3 84.9
2009 677 37.1 18.2 90.8
2010 713 39.5 18.0 93.5
2011 637 41.0 15.5 96.1
2012 651 32.0 20.3 92
2013 575 31.5 18.2 93.7
2014 581 32.5 17.8 94.3
2015 608 34.0 17.8 86
2016 561 33.0 17.0 89.7
2017 545 31.0 17.5 91.7
2018 605 33.0 18.3 85.3
2019 588 35.7 16.4 79.3
2020 502 30.7 16.3 87.5
2021 454 29.7 15.2 85.7
2022 427 29.7 14.3 87.1
2023 414 30.2 13.6 87.2

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 Federal Heights Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 695 41.4 16.7 n/a
1989 722 41.6 17.3 26.9
1990 687 38.7 17.7 34.2
1991 633 37.8 16.7 39.8
1992 680 37.5 18.1 49.7
1993 655 38.2 17.1 45.5
1994 641 38.0 16.9 46.8
1995 559 30.5 18.3 45.6
1996 559 30.5 18.3 45.6
1997 621 31.0 20.0 43
1998 606 33.1 18.3 41.4
1999 578 33.3 17.4 34.9
2000 612 32.5 18.8 52.1
2001 574 32.5 17.7 50.7
2002 564 32.0 17.6 51.4
2003 564 32.0 17.6 51.4
2004 497 29.3 17.0 58.4
2005 471 31.7 14.9 66
2006 471 28.7 16.4 75.8
2007 532 30.3 17.6 77.6
2008 614 33.5 18.3 84.9
2009 677 37.1 18.2 90.8
2010 713 39.5 18.0 93.5
2011 637 41.0 15.5 96.1
2012 651 32.0 20.3 92
2013 575 31.5 18.2 93.7
2014 581 32.5 17.8 94.3
2015 608 34.0 17.8 86
2016 561 33.0 17.0 89.7
2017 545 31.0 17.5 91.7
2018 605 33.0 18.3 85.3
2019 588 35.7 16.4 79.3
2020 502 30.7 16.3 87.5
2021 454 29.7 15.2 85.7
2022 427 29.7 14.3 87.1
2023 414 30.2 13.6 87.2

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 Federal Heights Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $10,461
2020 $12,243
2021 $14,002
2022 $15,458
2023 $17,449

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Federal Heights 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.

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Federal Heights Elementary School)15.321.4
 6.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Adams 12 Five Star Schools)38.238.7
 0.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Federal Heights Elementary School)20.913.8
 7.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Adams 12 Five Star Schools)44.740.9
 3.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Federal Heights Elementary School)12.44.3
 8.1%
   All Grades Math (Adams 12 Five Star Schools)3532
 3%
   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 Students588414
 29.6%
African American04
American Indian20
 100%
Asian32
 33.3%
Hispanic548377
 31.2%
Pacific Islander00
White3229
 9.4%
Two or More Races32
 33.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients79.3%87.2%
 7.9%


Schools Near Federal Heights Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Federal Heights Elementary School

Federal Heights Elementary School ranks in the bottom 3.4% of Colorado elementary schools.

Students at Federal Heights Elementary School are 91% Hispanic, 7% White.

In the 2022-23 school year, 414 students attended Federal Heights Elementary School.

Students who attend Federal Heights Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Northglenn Middle School
High : Northglenn 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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