The top reported proficiency rate is 10% in English language arts. The lowest is 6% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ashley Elementary School
Ashley Elementary School is a regular public school in Denver, Colorado, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is not a charter or magnet school. Located in a residential area of the city, it is part of Denver Public Schools, the large urban district that covers the city and county of Denver.
The school enrolls a modest number of students for an elementary school in a major city. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a smaller share of Black students, a very small percentage of White students, and even smaller shares of students who identify as Asian or as two or more races. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with significant economic need. Data on the share of students with disabilities or those learning English were not available in the materials we reviewed.
On state assessments given in the 2024-2025 school year, Ashley Elementary’s proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science were all notably low. In math, roughly one in every sixteen students scored at the proficient or above level. In English language arts, roughly one in every ten students did. In fifth-grade science, the rate was similar. When compared with other schools in Denver County on an overall proficiency index that averages across tested subjects and grades, Ashley Elementary placed in the bottom quartile. Because this is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was not available in the provided records.
The school’s performance profile is one that many families will want to understand in detail. The low proficiency rates raise questions about academic support and instruction. Parents considering this school may wish to speak directly with the school or district about the specific strategies in place for raising achievement, the resources allocated to reading and math intervention, and how the school supports students who are behind grade level. The district itself has undertaken several recent initiatives that could affect Ashley Elementary. A district-wide literacy curriculum shift aligned with the science of reading began rolling out in the 2023-2024 school year, and a new unified enrollment system changed how families apply to schools. Voters approved a large bond measure for facility and safety improvements and a mill levy override to increase teacher pay and expand mental health services; these investments may bring resources to this school over time.
Denver, as a whole, is a major consolidated city and state capital with a broad economy spanning telecommunications, aerospace, health care, finance, and tourism. It has a dense downtown core, extensive parks and cultural institutions, and a growing metropolitan area. Housing in the surrounding area reflects Denver’s status as a growing and desirable place to live, with home values and rents that are high by national standards and have seen modest declines in the recent past. The school is located in a neighborhood within the city’s east side. For families considering moving into the area, affordability relative to local incomes is a relevant factor.
Ashley Elementary may fit families who value a neighborhood school close to home within Denver, a diverse student body, and a setting where the district is making system-wide changes that could eventually improve outcomes. Its size is manageable, and the early childhood program (prekindergarten) is an asset for families with young children. However, the academic results are a serious concern, and any family considering this school should investigate what is being done to turn performance around and whether the school provides the level of academic challenge and support they seek. Without additional data on student support staffing, special education services, or enrichment offerings, a full picture of the day-to-day experience is incomplete.
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