The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in English language arts. The lowest is 60% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Willow Elementary School
Willow Elementary School is a regular public school serving preschool through fifth grade in Denver, Colorado. It sits within Denver Public Schools, the large urban district that covers the city and county of Denver. The school is not a charter or magnet school. Its enrollment is in the mid-hundreds for the elementary grade band, with roughly balanced class sizes across kindergarten through fifth grade and a substantial prekindergarten program.
Academically, Willow posts results that stand out in its context. On the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, a majority of students met or exceeded state standards in math, and a larger majority did so in reading and writing. In science, tested only in fifth grade, nearly three in five students scored at the proficient or advanced level. These proficiency rates place the school well above the typical range for its county, a comparison that spans both district-level and school-level results. Participation rates on state assessments were very high, which gives the results solid footing. The school’s strong academic showing is the most notable feature in the data available.
The student body is predominantly white, making up roughly half of enrollment. Hispanic students account for about one-fifth of the school, followed by students who identify as two or more races and smaller shares of Asian, Black, and other racial groups. About one in four students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate well below the district average and an indicator of the school’s relative economic profile. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the current reporting; a parent wondering about those supports would want to ask the school directly.
The school is located in Denver’s Stapleton neighborhood, a large master-planned development built on the site of the former airport. The area is characterized by newer housing, parks, and a mix of single-family homes and townhomes. Home values in the school’s ZIP code are well above the state median, though they have softened in the most recent year. Rents follow a similar pattern. The broader Denver economy is diverse and strong, anchored by telecommunications, aerospace, health care, and government employment. Denver is a fast-growing metropolitan area, and its housing market reflects sustained demand, even with recent price adjustments.
Several recent district-level changes may affect families considering Willow. Denver voters approved a large bond measure in 2024, the largest in district history, for facility improvements, safety upgrades, and new construction across DPS. A separate mill levy override passed in 2022 aimed at increasing teacher pay and mental health services. The district also adopted a new literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading starting in the 2023–2024 school year, which now shapes how elementary reading is taught. In addition, Denver Public Schools moved to a unified school choice enrollment system beginning in the 2024–2025 school year, changing how families apply to schools.
What is missing from the available data may matter to some families. There is no public information on discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, or staffing ratios. Program offerings such as gifted and talented, arts, or extracurriculars are not listed. Without that detail, a parent would want to contact the school to understand what enrichment or intervention opportunities exist beyond the core curriculum.
Willow Elementary presents as a high-performing school within Denver Public Schools, set in a relatively affluent neighborhood with a demographic makeup that differs markedly from the district as a whole. Its academic results are the central strength, and the school appears to serve a community where housing is expensive and economic need is modest. For families who value strong test scores and are able to navigate Denver’s school choice system, Willow is likely to be a competitive option. Those looking for more information on special education services, English learner supports, or the range of programs beyond the tested subjects will need to seek it from the school directly.
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