The top reported proficiency rate is 11% in Science. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Giberson Elementary School
Giberson Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Colorado Springs, part of Harrison School District 2. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school has a total enrollment of about 270 students, which is a typical size for an elementary school serving this grade range. The student body is diverse, with the largest shares being of Hispanic heritage, followed by white and Black students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a figure that places the school in a higher-poverty context relative to many others in the area.
The most consequential fact about Giberson Elementary is its academic performance on the state’s Colorado Measures of Academic Success assessments. Proficiency rates were very low across all three tested subjects in the most recent reporting year. In math, a small percentage of students met or exceeded the state’s proficiency benchmark. In English language arts, the situation was similar. Science, which is tested only in fifth grade, showed a comparable result. These figures place the school in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency among all schools in El Paso County. For any parent or resident reading this, the central question about Giberson is whether the academic pathway it provides is one they feel confident in for their child. The results are clear, and a parent would want to investigate what supports and interventions are in place, including how the school is working to address these outcomes. Data on special education and English learner enrollment was not available in the provided records, so a parent should also ask the school directly about these populations and the specific services offered.
The school itself operates within the larger Harrison School District 2. A notable district-level development gained attention in late 2024, when voters approved a mill levy to fund a program called the D2 Promise. This program provides free tuition and fees at Pikes Peak State College for all qualifying district high school graduates, a long-term investment in postsecondary access that, while not directly affecting a K-5 student, signals the district's broader priorities.
Colorado Springs, the city surrounding the school, is a large and sprawling place. It is a city defined economically by its heavy military presence—multiple Space Force bases, the Air Force Academy, and Fort Carson all sit within or near the city limits—as well as a significant aerospace and defense industry. Tourism is another major pillar. Residential development is spread across a broad high-desert plateau, and the city is heavily car-dependent, with commercial corridors along major roads and I-25 providing the primary arteries. The area has seen substantial population growth over recent decades, and the housing market reflects the regional context. Home values and rents in the school's zip code are below the state average, and the cost of housing is somewhat more accessible than in many parts of the Front Range, though affordability remains a national concern.
For a family considering Giberson, the picture is defined by the school's demographics and its academic attainment. It serves a community with significant economic need, and its state test results are low compared to the rest of the county. A parent exploring this school will want to understand the classroom experience, the nature of instruction, and what specific programs are in place to move the academic needle, rather than relying solely on the proficiency snapshot that is available here.
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