The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 30% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Cherry Creek Elevation
Cherry Creek Elevation is a regular public school serving grades six through twelve in Centennial, part of the Cherry Creek 5 district. The school has a small enrollment for a secondary school, and its student body is predominantly white, with Hispanic students and Black students each making up roughly a fifth of the school. Students who identify as two or more races also form a noticeable part of the population. A substantial share of students come from low-income households, based on the share who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Centennial is a large, auto-oriented suburb south of Denver. There is no traditional downtown; commercial and civic life is spread along major roads and the Interstate 25 corridor. The city was incorporated as a single act from previously unincorporated land and uses a contract-based model for most city services. Major employers include Arrow Electronics, United Launch Alliance, and National CineMedia, and the IKEA store is one of the largest in the country. The city is mature and largely built out, so the housing stock is established. Homes in the zip code are priced higher than the national median but have seen a modest pullback recently. Rents are also above the national typical figure but have been steady. For context, the national median household income is around the mid-eighties in thousands of dollars, and this area is in a comparable bracket. Given the housing costs, a family would likely need a healthy income to live near the school.
On state assessments, the school shows a split picture. In English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient or above is solid, well above what many schools its size manage. Math is a different story: the share of students reaching the proficient level is low. Because the school is small, these percentages are based on a very small number of test-takers, which can make year-to-year comparisons less stable. Science test results were suppressed, meaning too few students tested for the state to report a reliable figure. The school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades sits in the top quartile among districts in Arapahoe County, which is a positive position. However, the participation rate on these tests was low, with about a fifth of eligible students taking the ELA and math exams. A parent may want to ask the school how it ensures students are participating in state testing and what the testing experience looks like for students.
No graduation rate was available for this analysis; the data did not supply one. That gap often reflects the nature of the school, such as a small alternative setting or a school where graduation is not the sole measure of completion, but the data does not specify the reason here. A parent should follow up directly with the school to understand how students are prepared for life after high school.
The school environment data was empty in several categories, including discipline rates, staff-to-student ratios, and course access. Without that information, it is not possible to describe the day-to-day climate or the breadth of curriculum offerings. The school’s charter status is not applicable; it is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The Title I status was not reported, so it is unclear whether the school receives federal funds for low-income student support.
Cherry Creek Elevation sits in a well-established suburban district known for its size and resources, but the school itself is small and serves a specific middle and high school population. The academic data shows a strength in English language arts but a soft spot in math that warrants inquiry. For a family considering this school, the most important next steps would be to visit, ask about the math curriculum and intervention strategies, and clarify the school's approach to state testing participation. It is a school that could serve a student well if the academic and social fit is right, but the small scale means a parent should confirm that the program offerings meet their child’s needs.
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