The top reported proficiency rate is 59% in Science. The lowest is 46% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Bennett Elementary School
Bennett Elementary is a regular public school in Fort Collins, serving pre‑kindergarten through fifth grade as part of Poudre School District R‑1. It operates as a neighborhood elementary school in a mid‑sized city that blends college‑town energy, residential neighborhoods, and a significant high‑tech and manufacturing employment base anchored by Colorado State University and employers such as Woodward, Broadcom, and Hewlett‑Packard. The school sits on the west side of Fort Collins, and its attendance zone draws from a mix of older and newer housing stock.
On the 2024‑25 Colorado Measures of Academic Success state assessments, Bennett’s students performed above the midpoint when compared with other elementary schools in Larimer County. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects placed it in the top quartile relative to districts in the county, a strong signal for an elementary school in a competitive public‑school landscape. In math, more than two in five students scored at the proficient or advanced level; in English language arts, roughly half did. At fifth grade, where science is tested separately, about three in five students met the state’s proficiency benchmark. Participation rates on all assessments were very high, exceeding the state’s threshold, so the results reflect nearly the entire tested population.
Bennett’s student body is about 383 children, making it a moderately sized elementary for its grade span. The demographic profile is predominantly white, with a sizable Hispanic minority and small shares of students who are Asian, Black, American Indian, or multiracial. Just under half of students qualify for free or reduced‑price meals, a share that aligns with the district’s overall economic diversity and places the school in a middle range of income among Fort Collins elementaries. Data on students receiving special education services and English learner supports was not reported in the available information, so a parent wanting to understand those populations would need to ask the school directly.
The housing market around Bennett is a key part of the context. Fort Collins is the fourth‑most‑populous city in Colorado and has experienced steady growth over recent decades, particularly southward, though growth‑management policies since the 1980s have shaped development. Home values in the broader area have been relatively high, and the rental market is similarly expensive. For a family considering moving into the attendance zone, the cost of entry is notable, but the neighborhood around Bennett Road includes a mix of single‑family homes and some older subdivisions that can offer more affordable options than newer parts of the city. The city itself provides extensive bike infrastructure, a historic Old Town district with breweries and shops, and outdoor recreation along the Cache la Poudre River, all of which contribute to the everyday texture of life here.
The school’s program offerings were not reported in the data provided. No details on art, music, physical education, gifted programming, or before‑ and after‑school care were available, so a parent should confirm those directly with the school office. Because Bennett is an elementary school that only serves grades PK‑5, there is no graduation rate to report, and no high‑school‑level metrics such as college‑going or career‑pathway participation apply. Chronic absenteeism data was also absent, so the school’s attendance patterns are not captured in the available information.
The district, Poudre School District R‑1, operates schools across Fort Collins and the surrounding communities. A search for recent district‑level changes such as bond measures, mill‑levy overrides, or curriculum shifts turned up no items that met the four‑year, lasting‑impact bar, so the district appears to be in a period of relative stability, though a parent may want to check the school board agenda for any upcoming facility or program discussions.
For a family looking for a well‑performing elementary with solid state test results and a diverse but largely white student body, Bennett is worth a close look. The school’s proficiency standing in the top tier of the county is a clear strength, and the economic diversity of its enrollment gives it a grounded feel. The missing data on special populations and programming means any informed decision would benefit from a tour and a conversation with the principal.
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