The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in Science. The lowest is 18% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Otero Elementary School
Otero Elementary School serves students from preschool through fifth grade as a regular public school within Harrison School District 2 in Colorado Springs. It is an elementary school, which means the academic measures that apply here are state testing in math, English language arts, and science at the grades where those tests are given. There is no graduation rate because the school does not serve high school grades, and that is a straightforward consequence of the grade band.
On state assessments, the school's proficiency rates sit below the midpoint among schools in El Paso County when looked at across tested subjects and grades. In math, roughly one out of every six students scored at the proficient or above level. In English language arts, about one in four students met that bar. In science, where testing occurs only in fifth grade, the share reaching proficiency was somewhat higher, around three in ten. For a family considering this school, these numbers indicate that the school's academic performance on standardized measures is an area worth learning more about directly from the school or district, since the rates are lower than what many other elementary schools in the county report.
The student body is diverse in its racial and ethnic composition, with the largest groups being Hispanic and White, followed by Black students and students identifying with two or more races. A substantial share of students come from low-income households, as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the information provided; that is a gap a parent or guardian may want to ask about, since those supports matter for many families when choosing an elementary school.
The school is part of Harrison School District 2, and the district itself has a notable initiative that may matter for families with younger children who will eventually reach high school. In 2024, voters approved a mill levy to fund the D2 Promise Program, which covers free college tuition and fees at Pikes Peak State College for all qualifying district high school graduates. That program is a publicly reported long-term investment that could shape how a family thinks about the educational pipeline from Otero through graduation.
The surrounding community is Colorado Springs, a large and sprawling city whose economy is heavily shaped by military installations, defense contractors, and tourism. Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the U.S. Air Force Academy are all major presences, as are companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The city has seen steady population growth, and its housing costs, while not cheap, are below some national benchmarks. The school sits in a residential neighborhood within the southern part of the city. Families living near Otero would likely find a car-dependent environment; walkable nodes exist in parts of Colorado Springs but are not evenly distributed.
Otero Elementary is one of many elementary schools in a large district serving a wide range of neighborhoods. For a family, the key considerations are the school's academic results, which are below the county median, and the high share of students in poverty, which often correlates with additional needs and resources. The absence of data on special education and English learner populations means a family wanting that information should request it from the school directly. The Promise Program is a distinctive district-level benefit that may add appeal for families focused on long-term affordability of higher education. The school itself is a regular public elementary school, not a charter or magnet, and it has no special designation listed.
See more original research from School Decision →