The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in English language arts. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest
Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest is a charter elementary school in Denver, Colorado, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Denver Public Schools system. It is a regular school operating under a charter, which means it is publicly funded but has some autonomy over its program. The school is located in the southwestern part of the city, in a residential neighborhood within Denver County.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with smaller shares of Black students and White students, and a very small number of students from other racial or ethnic backgrounds. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which often indicates a high level of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the materials provided.
Academically, the school’s state testing results are a central point of interest. On the Colorado Measures of Academic Success assessments, the share of students scoring proficient or above was low in both math and English language arts across grades three through five. Science results, which are tested only in fifth grade, were also low. When compared with other school districts within Denver County, this school’s overall proficiency across the tested subjects and grades fell in the bottom quarter of that group. A parent looking at these results would see clear areas where the school’s academic performance is below the average of its peers in the county. It may be worth a conversation with the school about its instructional approach, interventions, and how it supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks.
Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no high school graduation rate to report. That is not a gap in the data but simply a reflection of the grade band.
The surrounding housing market is in a part of Denver where home values and rents have been relatively high, though both showed a slight decline in the most recent year. Owning a home is notably more expensive than renting in this area, given typical mortgage costs versus rent levels. For families considering a move to the neighborhood, the affordability trade-off is weighted toward renting.
The broader school district context includes several recent changes that may affect families at this school. Denver Public Schools passed a large bond measure in 2024, the largest in the district’s history, to fund facility improvements, safety upgrades, technology, and new school construction. A mill levy override approved in 2022 is aimed at increasing teacher pay and expanding mental health services. The district also shifted to a new unified enrollment system for school choice beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, which changes how families apply to schools across the district. Additionally, a district-wide literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading was implemented starting in the 2023-2024 school year, affecting how early elementary students are taught to read.
Denver itself is a major consolidated city-county with a diverse economy spanning telecommunications, aerospace, software, financial services, health care, and tourism. It has a dense downtown core, extensive parks and cultural institutions, and a growing population. The school sits within a large urban school system, and its charter status gives it some operational flexibility within that structure.
Overall, Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest serves a high-poverty, largely Hispanic elementary population in a major city. Its state test results are low compared with other districts in Denver County, which is the primary academic signal available. A family considering this school should look into its specific academic support programs, classroom instruction, and any supplementary offerings that might address the proficiency gaps shown in the testing data. The district-level changes around literacy, enrollment, and funding are all relevant context for how the school may evolve in the coming years.
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