The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Science. The lowest is 28% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Estes Park K-5 School
Estes Park K-5 School sits in a small mountain resort town that serves as the primary gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. The local economy is dominated by tourism, with hotels, restaurants, and shops lining Elkhorn Avenue to serve the millions of annual visitors. The town itself has an older residential base, and the school is integrated into or near the downtown area in a compact mountain setting. Surrounding the town on three sides are national park and forest lands.
The school serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school within the Estes Park School District R-3. The enrollment is distributed across those grades. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Racially and ethnically, the student body is majority white, with a notable Hispanic population and small shares of Asian, multiracial, American Indian, and Black students.
State testing results from the most recent year show that in math, about a quarter of students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, the share of students reaching that benchmark was slightly higher, around a third. On the fifth-grade science assessment, the proficiency rate was higher, approaching half of tested students. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects sits above the midpoint when compared with other elementary schools in Larimer County districts. These results give a mixed picture of academic performance, with ELA and science showing stronger outcomes than math. A parent may want to discuss with the school how the math results fit into the broader picture of student support and instruction.
The school operates under a district that has recently been working toward stability. According to publicly reported information, the district faced several years of change and disruption in the parent community. In response, the school board approved new Vision, Mission, and Values statements in 2024 as part of a strategic plan. The district also improved its state accreditation rating. In the same year, the board approved adoption of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework for delivering both academic and behavioral support across the district, along with a curriculum adoption. These are recent pedagogical and curricular changes that may shape the experience for students at the K-5 school.
Housing in the area carries a premium relative to national benchmarks, with home values significantly above the national median. The town’s economy and character are tied closely to seasonal tourism, meaning traffic and population can vary substantially between summer and other times of year. The town offers a free shuttle during summer months, and the downtown has a compact, walkable core along the Big Thompson River.
There was some data not available in the profile. Information on discipline, attendance, and staffing was missing. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was also absent. Civil rights and outcomes data was not present. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. A parent may want to ask the school directly about how it supports students with different learning needs and about school climate.
See more original research from School Decision →