The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Northeast Elementary School
Northeast Elementary School serves students from preschool through sixth grade in Brighton, Colorado, as part of School District 27J. It is a regular public school in a growing Denver suburb that has seen rapid population growth and development in recent decades. The school draws from a community that mixes agricultural heritage with newer manufacturing, retail, and suburban residential areas.
The student body is diverse in background and heavily concentrated in one demographic group. Most students are Hispanic, with a smaller share of white students and very small numbers of Asian, Black, multiracial, and other groups. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker that the school serves a population with significant economic need. The school is a neighborhood elementary school, and its enrollment reflects the demographics of its attendance area.
On state assessments administered in the 2024–25 school year, student proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science were all below what many families would hope to see. In math, fewer than one in five students scored at the proficient level. In ELA, the share was slightly higher but still under one in five. In fifth-grade science, the rate was lower. Compared to other school districts in Adams County, Northeast Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects fell below the midpoint of the comparison set. These results suggest that many students are not yet meeting grade-level expectations on the Colorado Measures of Academic Success. A parent considering this school may want to ask what academic supports and interventions are in place for students who are below grade level, especially because the school serves a high-needs population.
Participation rates on the assessments were high, meaning the results reflect nearly all enrolled students in the tested grades. No data was available on the share of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners, so families looking for that information would need to reach out to the school directly. The school does not have high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report.
Brighton itself is a fast-expanding city. It has a historic downtown and is the county seat of Adams County. Major employers include wind turbine manufacturing plants and a large retail center. The area’s housing market reflects the broader Denver metro region: home values and rents are moderately high, and the median household income in the nation is around $83,000. The city’s growth has brought new development, including shopping centers and industrial facilities. The district has been expanding as well.
School District 27J recently completed a major bond program that funded new construction and improvements. Career and Technical Education centers were added at three high schools, offering a range of industry certificates. New schools are planned to open by 2027, including a high school, a middle school, and an elementary school. The district also opened its first magnet K-8 school, Discovery Magnet School, in 2023 with a project-based learning focus. That gives families in the district a pedagogical option beyond their neighborhood school.
For a family looking at Northeast Elementary, the academic proficiency numbers are a clear soft spot. The school serves many students who face economic challenges, and the results on state tests indicate that, on average, students are not performing at grade level. The district is investing in facilities and new programs, but those changes are more relevant to older students and to families considering magnet or future options. For elementary-age children, a parent may want to investigate what curriculum, tutoring, and enrichment are available and how the school supports students who are behind. The community is suburban and growing, with a mix of older and newer housing, and the commute patterns suggest most families drive to work.
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