The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in English language arts. The lowest is 56% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Swigert International School
Swigert International School is a regular public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Denver. It is not a charter or magnet school, and it belongs to Denver Public Schools, the large urban district covering the city and county of Denver. The school sits within the city's residential fabric, not as a specialized or alternative program.
Academically, Swigert's students perform at levels that place the school among the strongest in Denver County when compared with other districts in the county. On the state assessments for math and English language arts, a solid majority of students meet or exceed the proficiency benchmarks, with English language arts showing an especially high share. Science results, which come from the fifth-grade test only, are also above the midpoint of what is typical across the county, though a parent may want to look into this further with the school if science is a priority. The test participation rates are high, so the results reflect nearly all students. No multi-year trend data was available, so it is not possible to say whether these scores are stable, rising, or declining.
The student body of about that size for an elementary school is predominantly white, with Hispanic students making up the next largest group, followed by students who identify as two or more races, Black students, and Asian students. A relatively modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, well below the district average. This suggests a generally higher-income peer environment compared with many Denver Public Schools. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not reported; that is a gap a parent may want to explore by contacting the school directly.
Because Swigert serves only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. The school environment data such as discipline rates, staffing ratios, and chronic absenteeism were also absent from the available information, so this account cannot speak to those dimensions of daily experience.
The housing market in the area surrounding the school is expensive by both state and national standards. Home values are well above Colorado's typical price, and rents are correspondingly high. For a family renting, the cost relative to income is within a range that many households manage, but homeownership requires a substantial income or down payment. The national mortgage rate context is moderate, with rates hovering near a certain level in recent months; this affects affordability across the board.
Denver itself is a major city and state capital with a diversified economy spanning technology, aerospace, health care, and financial services. The city has experienced sustained population growth, and its metropolitan area continues to spread. For families, this means a broad job market and many cultural and recreational amenities, but also competition for housing and enrollment in sought-after schools.
Denver Public Schools has been undergoing several changes that affect all its schools, including Swigert. Voters recently approved a large bond measure for facility improvements, safety upgrades, and new construction, the largest in the district's history. The district has also shifted to a new unified enrollment system, changing how families apply to schools, and implemented a district-wide literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading in elementary grades. A mill levy override was passed to increase teacher pay and expand mental health services. These developments suggest ongoing investment in infrastructure and instruction, but also that the enrollment process and instructional approach have recently changed.
Overall, Swigert International School presents as a well-performing elementary school within a large urban district, with strong test scores relative to other Denver County districts and a student body that is economically more advantaged than the district average. It operates in a high-cost housing market and is part of a district actively investing in facilities and curriculum. A family considering this school would want to learn more about the specific programs and enrichment offerings, the school's approach to supporting diverse learners, and how the unified enrollment system works for their particular address and preferences.
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