The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in English language arts. The lowest is 33% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Bennett Ranch Elementary School
Bennett Ranch Elementary School is a public elementary school within El Paso County Colorado School District 49, serving students from preschool through fifth grade. The school draws from Peyton, an unincorporated community in eastern El Paso County that sits along U.S. Highway 24, roughly twenty miles northeast of Colorado Springs. Peyton is a small, rural residential area with limited local businesses, a post office, and a volunteer fire department; most employed residents commute to Colorado Springs or nearby Falcon for work. The population has declined in recent years, while the broader eastern part of the county sees growth.
The school is not a charter school, and information about Title I status and magnet designation was not available in the data, so those details are left unaddressed. Enrollment is moderate, typical for an elementary serving this community. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic share and a notable portion of students who identify as two or more races. Small numbers of Black, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native students are also enrolled. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic need. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners were missing from the available information; a parent may want to ask the school directly about special education supports and language services.
On state assessments administered in grades three through five, Bennett Ranch's results present a mixed picture. In English language arts, more than two out of five students scored at levels four or five, which the state considers proficient. In math, roughly a third of students reached that benchmark. In fifth-grade science, where the proficiency criteria are set at levels three and four, a similar share achieved proficiency. Relative to other schools in El Paso County, the school's overall proficiency index sits in the top quartile, meaning its combined performance across tested subjects and grades is above the midpoint among its county peers. Participation rates on all three assessments were very high, which means the results reflect nearly the entire tested student body. For a parent weighing academic environment, the school performs comparatively well within its county, though math attainment is a clear area of softness that would be worth discussing with the school.
Because Bennett Ranch serves only early grades, no graduation rate applies. The school offers the typical elementary grade span, so middle and high school program offerings like advanced coursework or career pathways are not part of its scope. Course access information and staffing details were not present in the data, so nothing can be said about class sizes or the availability of enrichment subjects such as art, music, or physical education. The district does not appear to have undergone any significant bond elections or curriculum overhauls in recent years based on available public reporting; parents looking for a sense of the district's direction may need to consult school board materials directly.
Housing in the area carries a value comparable to the Colorado statewide benchmark. Monthly rent is higher than a mortgage payment on a typical home with a twenty percent down payment, which tilts the buy-versus-rent calculus toward ownership for families who can manage a down payment. The area is car-dependent; there is no public transit serving Peyton directly, and Highway 24 provides the main connection to Colorado Springs for shopping, employment, and services.
This is a school that performs above the county average on state tests while serving a moderately diverse, economically mixed population. It sits in a small, quiet rural community where most families commute for work and shopping. The math scores warrant a conversation with school staff, and the missing data on special education and English learner programs is a gap a prospective parent would want to close by visiting or calling the school.
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