The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in Science. The lowest is 23% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Henry Elementary School
Henry Elementary School, a regular public school within Colorado Springs School District 11, serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is a neighborhood elementary, not a charter or magnet school, and its student body reflects the diversity of its east-side Colorado Springs location. The student population is substantial for an elementary school, with a composition that is predominantly Hispanic and white, followed by a notable share of students who identify with two or more races, and smaller numbers of Black, Asian, and other backgrounds. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a metric that places the school in a higher-needs context compared to many others in the area.
Academically, state testing results from the Colorado Measures of Academic Success show that proficiency rates in math and English language arts are below the midpoint when compared to other elementary schools across the county and state. For math, roughly a quarter of students met the state’s proficiency bar, and for English language arts, just over a quarter did. Science results, tested only in fifth grade, showed a slightly higher share of students reaching proficiency. These are sober numbers. A parent considering Henry Elementary would want to understand how the school supports students who are not yet at grade level, and whether the school’s instructional approach is a fit for their child’s needs. The district as a whole has taken steps to address school performance, having cut the number of schools on state improvement plans by nearly half, which suggests a focused effort on raising achievement.
The school’s participation rate on state tests was high, indicating that nearly all enrolled students took the assessments, which makes the results a reliable snapshot of overall performance. The school’s grade span means there is no graduation rate to report, as that metric applies only to high schools. Information about special education and English learner populations was not available in the data, so a parent would need to ask the school directly about those services and the share of students they serve.
Henry Elementary sits within Colorado Springs School District 11, the largest and oldest school district in the city. The district recently raised its starting teacher salary and implemented broad pay increases, a move meant to improve teacher recruitment and retention, which can directly affect classroom stability for families. The district also launched the D11 Promise Scholarship with Pikes Peak State College, a program that allows high school students to take college courses at no cost. That benefit is not directly relevant to an elementary school, but it signals the district’s broader commitment to postsecondary pathways.
Colorado Springs itself is a large, sprawling city shaped by a powerful military presence, a robust aerospace and defense sector, and a tourism economy. The city is home to multiple Space Force bases, Fort Carson, and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and a substantial part of the regional economy is tied to the military and defense contractors. Residential neighborhoods spread across a broad high-desert plateau, and the city is car-dependent with limited walkability outside a few nodes like downtown and Old Colorado City. The housing market in the area, based on the ZIP code serving the school, shows typical home values below the state average but above the national average, and rents are modest relative to local incomes. The area has seen population growth over recent decades, and the city continues to develop, with ongoing infrastructure and tourism investments.
For a family considering Henry Elementary, the school sits in a community with a strong military and defense employer base, a mix of older and newer residential areas, and a pattern of outward growth. The school’s biggest challenge is its academic performance, which is on the lower end relative to peers. A parent would want to learn about specific academic interventions, enrichment programs, and the school’s climate to see if it matches their priorities. The district-level investments in teacher pay and the reduced number of struggling schools are positive signals, but they do not directly change the current proficiency picture at Henry. The school’s size and diverse student body may appeal to families seeking a broad peer environment, while those looking for a school with higher test scores would want to explore other options in the district.
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