The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Southlawn Elementary School
Southlawn Elementary is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Commerce City, part of School District 27J. It is one of many elementary options in a district that has been growing rapidly and investing in new facilities. The school sits in a community that blends older residential areas near Denver with newer subdivisions pushing north, and the area around the school includes both industrial sites and suburban homes.
Academically, the school’s state test results place its overall proficiency above the midpoint among districts in Adams County, but in absolute terms the numbers are on the lower side. In reading, fewer than a third of students met the state’s proficiency standard; in math, fewer than one in five did. Science results, which come from fifth grade only, were even lower. These are not strong outcomes by state or national benchmarks, and a parent considering the school may want to ask what steps the school is taking to raise achievement and how it supports students who are behind. The school does not serve grades beyond fifth, so there is no graduation rate here, and no high school-level data to evaluate.
The student body is diverse. A majority of students are Hispanic, with a substantial White population and smaller shares of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. More than half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a common measure of economic need. Information on the share of students receiving special education services or English learner support was not reported in the available data, so a family with a child in those categories would want to follow up directly with the school to understand the programs and staffing available.
The school’s size is moderate for an elementary, with enrollment that fills a typical building. Class sizes appear to be in a normal range for a school of this scale, though specific staffing ratios were not available. We also looked for discipline rates and chronic absenteeism data but did not find them, so those are gaps a parent may want to explore by speaking with the school or district.
Commerce City itself is one of the faster-growing communities in Colorado, shaped by both residential development and heavy industry. The Suncor oil refinery is a major presence, and the city has a mix of older neighborhoods and new master-planned communities. Housing values in the area are noticeably lower than the state average, and rents are somewhat below the Denver metro median, making this a relatively more affordable part of the Front Range. The city has invested in parks and trails, including links to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, and there are recreation centers and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park stadium nearby. Growth is expected to continue, especially north toward Brighton and Denver International Airport.
The district, School District 27J, has been expanding its footprint. Voters approved a large bond in 2021 that funded new construction and renovations. As of late 2023, several Career and Technical Education centers had opened at high schools, and new schools — a high school, a middle school, and an elementary — are planned to open by 2027. In 2023, the district also opened its first magnet K-8 school, Discovery Magnet School, offering a project-based learning option. These developments mean that families in the Southlawn attendance area may see shifting boundaries or new school options in the coming years.
For a family evaluating Southlawn Elementary, the picture is mixed. The school serves a high-needs population in a district that is actively building and changing. Academic proficiency is below what many parents hope to see, though it is not out of line with other schools in similar communities in the county. The school’s peer environment is diverse and economically challenged. The surrounding housing market offers relative affordability, and the district is investing in facilities and programs. Parents who prioritize strong test scores may want to investigate what academic interventions and enrichment the school offers. Those who value a diverse, growing community and are comfortable with a school that is still working to improve outcomes may find this a reasonable fit.
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