The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in English language arts. The lowest is 50% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Pine Ridge Elementary School
Pine Ridge Elementary School serves students from preschool through fifth grade in the Cherry Creek School District, located in the southeastern portion of Aurora. The school sits in a part of the city defined by master-planned subdivisions and commercial centers, an area that is largely car-dependent. Aurora itself is a sprawling, large city, the third largest in Colorado, and one that lacks a single traditional downtown. Major employment anchors include Buckley Space Force Base and the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the city continues to grow, particularly along corridors near Denver International Airport.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a significant Hispanic population and smaller shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is below the district average when compared to other Cherry Creek schools. The school does not appear to be a Title I school, which aligns with that economic profile.
On state assessments, Pine Ridge Elementary posts results that are notably above what is typical for elementary schools in Arapahoe County. Across the tested subjects of math, English language arts, and science, the school’s overall proficiency level was in the top quartile relative to other schools in the county. In both math and English language arts, over half of students scored at or above the proficient level. Science results, which are only tested in fifth grade, show a similar pattern with roughly half of students reaching proficiency. The participation rate on these assessments was high, which lends confidence to the results.
That said, the data shows that a substantial portion of students are still scoring below the proficient mark, particularly in science and in math. This is not unusual for a school performing well compared to its peers, but it means that more than four out of every ten students are not reaching the state’s target for grade-level knowledge. A parent may want to investigate how the school supports students who are not yet at that benchmark, especially in the upper elementary grades.
The housing market in the area where the school is located carries moderately high prices for the Denver metropolitan region, with home values slightly above the state average. Rents are similarly elevated. The economic context shows a stable unemployment rate and a median household income that has grown in recent years, suggesting a generally healthy local economy. For families considering a move to the area, the school’s attendance zone sits within a suburban landscape of newer subdivisions and commercial corridors.
Chronic absenteeism data and special population counts, such as for students with disabilities or English learners, were not available in the provided information. These are common gaps in the data for many Colorado schools. If these are factors in a family’s decision, they would need to ask the school directly.
Pine Ridge Elementary is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet school. It offers a standard elementary program across the K-5 grade span with a preschool option. The strengths lie in its academic performance, which ranks among the stronger elementary schools in the county. The characteristics of the school and its setting — a large, growing suburban city with a strong employment base and expensive housing — will appeal to families who value that environment and want a school whose test results place it clearly above the norm for the region.
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