The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in English language arts. The lowest is 47% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Stratton Elementary School
Stratton Elementary School serves students from preschool through fifth grade in Colorado Springs, as part of Colorado Springs School District No. 11. It is a regular public school, neither a charter nor a magnet. The grade band means there is no high school graduation rate or secondary-level outcomes to report, and the testing data comes only from the grades and subjects that Colorado assesses.
The student body is of moderate size for an elementary school, with a notable share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. In terms of racial and ethnic composition, the majority of students are white, with a Hispanic population making up the next largest group, followed by smaller shares of students who are Black, two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available from the provided sources, so a family seeking specific information about special education or language support programs would want to follow up directly with the school.
Academically, Stratton’s performance on Colorado’s state assessments places it in a strong position relative to other districts in El Paso County. The school’s overall proficiency index, calculated as the average of reported proficiency rates across tested subjects and grades, falls in the top quartile of the comparison set. In math, the share of students meeting or exceeding proficiency was well above the county median. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was also above typical district performance. Science, assessed only in fifth grade, showed a similarly strong result, with a clear majority of students scoring at proficient or advanced levels. Participation rates on all three assessments were high.
The broader district context includes several publicly reported developments that may matter to families. The district raised its starting teacher salary and made significant pay increases across the board, a move aimed at improving teacher recruitment and retention. It also reduced the number of schools identified for turnaround or priority improvement status, from nine down to three. Additionally, in partnership with Pikes Peak State College, District 11 created the D11 Promise Scholarship, which allows high school students to take college-level courses at no cost — a benefit that would apply once a child reaches high school.
Housing in the area around the school carries a price point that is moderate for the region, with home values and rents that are below the state average but above national benchmarks. Colorado Springs itself is a large, sprawling city with a strong military and aerospace presence, a significant tourism sector, and a population that has grown substantially in recent decades. The city is car-dependent overall, with some walkable nodes downtown and in historic districts. School buildings are spread across residential neighborhoods rather than concentrated in one area.
For a parent or resident evaluating Stratton, the picture is that of a regular elementary school with academic results that are above average for its county. The school serves a diverse student body in economic terms, with a substantial share of students receiving free or reduced-price meals. The lack of publicly available data on special education and English learner services is a gap worth exploring. The district’s recent investments in teacher pay and school improvement may influence the overall school climate. Families who value a neighborhood elementary school with solid test performance relative to its peers and who are comfortable with the size and pace of a large city will find Stratton worth a closer look.
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