The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Little Elementary School
Little Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Arvada, a residential suburb northwest of Denver. The school is part of Jefferson County School District No. R-1, a large district that has seen notable changes in recent years that prospective families should know about. Voters approved a substantial bond measure in late 2024 for capital improvements and technology upgrades, the district’s first such bond in many years, which will likely bring facility investments district-wide. At the same time, the district reversed a 2023 plan to close sixteen schools after community pushback, and a regional committee continues to study enrollment and consolidation options. The school board was also reshaped by a 2024 recall election. These developments mean that families weighing a long-term commitment to the district should stay informed about potential boundary or school changes.
The school itself is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. It is not a Title I school. On state assessments, Little Elementary’s results were below the state average. In math, roughly one in six students met the state’s proficiency standard. In English language arts, about one in four students did. In science, tested only at the fifth-grade level, roughly one in four students scored proficient or above. Participation rates on the tests were high, so the results reflect nearly all students. The school does not yet have multi-year trend data available, so it is not possible to say whether these scores represent a change from prior years. A parent may want to ask the school about how it supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks and what academic interventions are in place.
The student body is racially and economically diverse. About half of students are white, and a substantial share are Hispanic. Smaller groups of students who are two or more races, Asian, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native are also enrolled. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a common measure of household economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so it is not possible to assess the school’s special education or language support services from this record.
Housing in the area is priced at a level similar to the state median for homes, with home values having seen a modest recent decline. Rents have increased slightly over the past year. The typical rent in the area takes up a notable share of a median household’s income, and a mortgage would be more expensive than renting. This is a suburban community with a car-dependent commute pattern. Olde Town Arvada offers a walkable historic district with shops, restaurants, and a commuter rail station that connects to downtown Denver. The city has an extensive network of off-street trails and substantial park acreage. The city’s population has seen a slight decline in recent years after long-term growth as a Denver suburb.
Little Elementary serves only primary grades, so there is no high school graduation rate to report. The school’s size is moderate for an elementary school. Given the available data, the school’s academic performance is a soft spot. Families who place a priority on strong state assessment results may find that Little Elementary’s proficiency rates give them reason to seek more information about the school’s academic program and how it addresses learning gaps. Families who value a diverse, economically mixed student body in a suburban setting with access to a historic downtown and transit options may find the school’s profile appealing, particularly if they are comfortable following the district’s ongoing governance and consolidation developments closely.
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