The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Park Elementary School
Highland Park Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Pueblo, Colorado, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of Pueblo School District No. 60. The school sits in a residential neighborhood on the city's south side, within a district that recently passed a historically large bond measure for facility improvements and safety upgrades while also rebranding itself with a name change back to its original designation.
The student body is moderate in size for an elementary school and is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial white population and a small representation of Black students and students of two or more races. A very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a low-income community that the school serves. Data on students with Individualized Education Programs and English learners was not available in the materials reviewed; a family may want to ask the school directly about special education and language support services.
On Colorado's state assessments, Highland Park Elementary's results are well below state averages. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above is lower than the state's typical range. In English language arts, the proficiency rate is also low. In science, where only fifth graders are tested, proficiency is even lower. When compared with districts across Pueblo County, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects falls in the bottom quartile. These are challenging numbers, and a parent considering the school would want to understand what academic interventions, small-group instruction, or additional support the school provides to address them. No data was available on chronic absenteeism or discipline; a school visit or conversation with the principal could fill in those gaps.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report.
Pueblo itself is a mid-sized city with a strong industrial past, historically anchored by steel production. In recent decades the economy has diversified into healthcare, education, and government, with solar energy development also emerging as a focus. The city has a historic downtown centered on a riverwalk, a convention center, a zoo, and the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Colorado State University Pueblo and Pueblo Community College are located on separate campuses, giving the city a significant higher education presence. The housing market is more affordable than the Colorado state average, which may be a factor for families weighing where to live. The city's layout is largely auto-oriented beyond the downtown core, with low-density residential neighborhoods typical of this part of the state.
Highland Park Elementary's place in this setting is as a neighborhood school serving families in a part of Pueblo that has seen steady residential development. The district's recent bond investment suggests that capital improvements are underway, which could mean updated facilities, classrooms, or safety features in the years ahead. For a family evaluating the school, the academic proficiency picture is the central consideration: the school faces steep challenges in moving students to grade-level mastery, and a parent would want to see what specific plans and resources are in place to accelerate learning. The school's high level of economic need also means that wraparound services, community partnerships, and food programs are likely important parts of the daily experience, though the available data did not detail those offerings.
See more original research from School Decision →