Dennison Elementary School

Public K-6

 401 Independence Street
       Lakewood, CO  80226-1082


(303) 982-6382

District: Jefferson County School District No. R-1

SchoolDigger Rank:
2nd of 935 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,380 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  20.2 Help
Number of students:  612

Racial breakdown:

White:
69.1%
Hispanic:
13.1%
Asian:
10.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  9.5% Help


 See top rated Colorado elementary schools

 Compare Dennison Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Dennison Elementary School ranks better than 99.8% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks first among 99 ranked elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 99.31. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (69.1%), Hispanic (13.1%), Asian (10.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 9.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Dennison Elementary School is 20.2. 101 elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1 have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Dennison Elementary School employs 30.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Dennison Elementary School is $12,380. 90 elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Dennison Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Dennison Elementary School 2nd of 935 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Dennison Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Asian students:
White students:


Jefferson County School District No. R-1:

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson County School District No. R-1 35th of 115 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Dennison Elementary School?

Rank History for Dennison Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Dennison Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 96.27 3rd 808 99.6%
2005 95.38 3rd 823 99.6%
2006 95.73 3rd 829 99.6%
2007 96.08 3rd 852 99.6%
2008 96.01 3rd 849 99.6%
2009 96.12 3rd 872 99.7%
2010 96.56 2nd 925 99.8%
2011 95.97 3rd 935 99.7%
2012 95.86 4th 935 99.6%
2013 96.24 4th 954 99.6%
2014 96.07 5th 962 99.5%
2015 99.44 5th 938 99.5%
2016 99.68 2nd 914 99.8%
2017 99.03 6th 929 99.4%
2018 99.36 3rd 917 99.7%
2019 98.88 5th 965 99.5%
2021 99.32 2nd 710 99.7%
2022 99.49 2nd 921 99.8%
2023 99.31 2nd 933 99.8%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Female students at Dennison Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 99.00 2nd 690 99.7%
2019 97.11 7th 758 99.1%
2021 98.06 3rd 351 99.1%
2022 98.75 2nd 595 99.7%
2023 98.14 5th 642 99.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Dennison Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.85 12th 84 85.7%
2019 73.79 20th 110 81.8%
2022 83.04 1st 22 95.5%
2023 82.10 1st 82 98.8%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Dennison Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.90 3rd 693 99.6%
2019 98.78 4th 764 99.5%
2021 99.06 1st 352 99.7%
2022 99.07 2nd 594 99.7%
2023 99.03 2nd 649 99.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Dennison Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 95.53 1st 15 93.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for White students at Dennison Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.30 3rd 337 99.1%
2019 97.54 3rd 596 99.5%
2021 98.13 2nd 288 99.3%
2022 98.84 2nd 454 99.6%
2023 97.72 3rd 525 99.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Dennison Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.1)
77%

0%

0%

0%

23%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, June 18, 2018

Open Quote The teachers and staff have high expectations and pushed my child to be the best he could be. I am so grateful that i will be having my oldest start this fall and my youngest start next year!! I love this school! Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Open Quote They use systemic practices from one grade level to the next, and deliver comprehensive instruction. I feel as though my daughter's education has not skipped a beat and she has been taught to do high quality work. She loves her school!!! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, March 23, 2017

Open Quote The school has very high expectations which I love!!! They bring the best out of your child and I am very blessed to be a part of the tightly niche Dennison community. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, April 28, 2016

Open Quote Apparently the "citizen" who disparaged Dennison and its lottery process failed to thoroughly research the school. It is clearly stated on the school website in all capital letters that "IT IS MANDATORY THAT YOU ATTEND AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING AND OBSERVE IN CLASSROOMS IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ENROLLMENT." Please do not bash the school and its process because you cannot read directions. This mandatory process has been in place and publicized since I completed a choice enrollment form for my child 8 years ago! I attended the meetings, filled out the appropriate forms, unfortunately we were not high enough on the list the first year.

I completed the same process the next year, including attending the MANDATORY meetings AGAIN, and we thankfully were choiced in using the same process that every other school uses for choice enrollment. Again, it is unfair to rate the school based upon your failure to follow directions.

I have several children that have or currently attend Dennison and I could not be more pleased with the education they have received. The school is very family centric and parent involvement is tantamount to the education they receive from the teachers and administrators at the school. It is a lot of work and a huge commitment for both the kids and parents in the school, however, it is worth the end result. One of my children has moved on to 7th grade and the preparation he received from Dennison has made the transition to middle school almost seamless. Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, January 28, 2016

Open Quote Good luck getting in if you aren't able to make their parent information meetings that are, apparently, MANDATORY for being included in their exclusive version of the choice enrollment lottery. Nowhere on their school page on the Jeffco website do they tell you that attendance at one of these limited parent information nights is mandatory to be allowed the privilege of being considered for choice enrollment in their apparently elitist school.

It shouldn't matter how many families wish to be included in the choice enrollment lottery for ANY school in Jefferson County. All county schools receiving county funds should be required to abide by the same choice enrollment rules and deadlines, allowing ALL tax-paying Jefferson County citizens equal opportunity for consideration in what is supposedly be a fair, lottery-based choice enrollment system.

Dennison's choice to impose additional, unpublicized rules and restrictions to this lottery application process stacks the deck in favor some families over others based on their personal availability and proximity to the school, and provides an unfair and undeserved advantage for some residents over others with no due cause. The Jefferson County school board should not allow schools receiving public funds to subvert the fair lottery system in this way, and needs to take action to correct this situation immediately.

This may be an excellent school, but the administration needs to step down from their elitist position, and provide a truly fair, equal opportunity for all Jefferson county citizens to enroll their children in this or any other Jefferson County public school. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, August 25, 2014

Open Quote Great school. Preparing kids for more than just answers. Kids learn to work hard for results. Plenty of other activities also are a part of the school and the kids aren't just academic machines. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, August 15, 2014

Open Quote I drives me nuts to see non-Dennison "citizens" giving a school a one star when they clearly know nothing about this school or its philosophy. If there are a lot of teacher's kids here it's because they know Dennison's standard of excellence and choose to lottery in. As for the rest of us, not everyone knows about this school and/or, not everyone is willing to drive to this location for this educational opportunity. There are excellent school elsewhere in the district that are just as hard to get into, because if you don't live in that neighborhood you still have to try to lottery/choice in. Having said all that, this is a rigorous school no question. There is homework in EVERY grade. These kids work hard for their grades; there are no handouts. Kids get dinged forgetting to write down their class number or the assignment number or the dollar sign in front of the answer to a math problem. So what? If I want to see my child excel in STEM then better to learn now...there isn't room for error in those fields of study. It's not about how to take a test but rather how to be an effective student and how to study. Slow down, read the directions, and double check your work. These kids need not to "test in" to show how smart they are. Like my kid, most of these kids are the average Joe, but Dennison empowers them to be all that they can be. The bar is set high and these kids rise to the challenge. ALL schools should operate in the mindset of this school. It's not a magic pill, it's a lot of hard work, plain and simple. Close Quote


by a citizen
Sunday, August 18, 2013

Open Quote Dennison is effectively a private school within the Jeffco public school system. Very few minorities or children of poorer parents attend - far less than the Jeffco averages and even more so considering the area the school is located in. Maybe that is because minority and economically disadvantaged parents simply don't want a good education for their children. Or maybe it is because Jeffco sends its buses to the richest and whitest portions of the county to bring the privileged children to Dennison.

If you can win the not-so-transparent lottery great. I've heard that an amazingly high number of Jeffco teacher's children attend Dennison. I guess they are just lucky.

There are no classical/back-to-basic charter school alternatives in the middle of Jefferson County (shame on Jefferson County R1 schools!) so try to transfer your kids into one of the better performing neighborhood schools as Jeffco allows out-of neighborhood transfers on a space available basis. Of course, you will have to provide the transportation to keep your kids out of Jeffco's many educational gulags. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, August 13, 2012

Open Quote Of course the lottery process has zero transparency...it's a lottery! I get it, it's a nail biter we've been there. Openings change from year to year depending on how many incoming siblings are registered. One year it can be 20 opens another year it can be 40, maybe more, I don't work in the office. The year my child came in we were in the low 20s and I didn't hear anything for months. However, I do know the staff cannot tell you the number they are working on because they have outstanding calls to families with lower numbers. The staff need a decline or acceptance of the open offer before the staff can move onto the next. It is my understanding that this process isn't complete until the middle of summer. Let us not blame the staff but rather those who have a low lottery number and don't get back to the school in a timely fashion. It is egregious and outright unreasonable for the previous parent to give this school a one star when clearly this person know nothing of the standards, academics, teachers, etc. of this truly incredibly awesome life changing incomparable elementary school. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Open Quote Good luck getting in though. Admissions are by lottery only. I'd rather take a test and earn my way into a good school then just leave it up to random chance. The lottery process has zero transparency. They don't tell you how many openings they have each year, how many siblings got in or how the number you are assigned fits in with any of these other numbers. At the very least they should post a website saying the next opening will go to number XX. Then you would know how far your number was from the current number. No that would be way to hard for weary administrators. I mean updating a number every week or so is hard work. Why would they want to lift a finger to let concerned parents know if they are even close to getting in to this incredibly awesome life changing incomparable elementary school. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, October 24, 2011

Open Quote Dennison Elementary school is ranked as 3rd in the state out of all the elementary schools with the 1st and 2nd schools being GT or advanced placement schools for which you need to test-in to attend. Dennison also holds the distinguished honor of wining the "Blue Ribbon Award two times! It is the only Colorado elementary school to have won this award twice. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Dennison Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 563 2 5 15 4 n/a n/a 0 589
1989 491 1 5 19 3 n/a n/a 0 519
1990 473 1 6 22 1 n/a n/a 0 503
1991 484 2 8 23 1 n/a n/a 0 518
1992 353 3 7 11 0 n/a n/a 0 374
1993 358 2 7 8 0 n/a n/a 0 375
1994 370 2 9 7 0 n/a n/a 0 388
1995 503 8 12 18 1 n/a n/a 0 542
1996 503 8 12 18 1 n/a n/a 0 542
1997 531 9 13 20 1 n/a n/a 0 574
1998 561 9 13 20 1 n/a n/a 0 604
1999 561 10 11 24 1 n/a n/a 0 607
2000 557 9 10 27 1 n/a n/a 0 604
2001 550 8 15 29 2 n/a n/a 0 604
2002 550 5 17 29 5 n/a n/a 0 606
2003 550 5 17 29 5 n/a n/a 0 606
2004 555 6 20 30 5 n/a n/a 0 616
2005 545 2 23 32 5 n/a n/a 0 607
2006 546 2 34 31 5 n/a n/a 0 618
2007 529 3 37 41 8 n/a n/a 0 618
2008 526 3 38 49 8 n/a n/a 0 624
2009 508 4 44 62 8 n/a n/a 0 626
2010 488 5 48 72 13 n/a n/a 0 626
2011 463 3 34 96 4 1 23 0 624
2012 455 4 37 95 3 0 31 0 625
2013 449 5 33 104 3 0 32 0 626
2014 460 5 27 98 5 0 27 0 622
2015 461 7 29 90 4 0 33 0 624
2016 463 7 34 83 3 2 33 0 625
2017 457 6 36 83 2 2 39 0 625
2018 464 4 40 81 2 3 33 0 627
2019 459 3 38 81 4 3 39 0 627
2020 460 2 49 77 2 3 36 0 629
2021 444 2 62 74 0 3 38 0 623
2022 429 0 62 76 0 1 41 0 609
2023 423 0 66 80 1 1 41 0 612

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Dennison Elementary School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 589 22.4 26.2 n/a
1989 519 21.4 24.2 2.5
1990 503 20.6 24.4 5.2
1991 518 20.1 25.7 4.1
1992 374 21.1 17.7 4
1993 375 13.2 28.4 1.9
1994 388 15.0 25.9 2.1
1995 542 21.1 25.7 2.4
1996 542 21.1 25.7 2.4
1997 574 23.1 24.8 2.6
1998 604 23.9 25.3 3
1999 607 24.9 24.4 2.1
2000 604 24.5 24.7 2.6
2001 604 25.8 23.4 2.3
2002 606 28.6 21.2 1.7
2003 606 28.6 21.2 1.7
2004 616 28.8 21.4 2.9
2005 607 27.2 22.3 2.5
2006 618 27.9 22.2 3.9
2007 618 33.8 18.3 4.9
2008 624 36.2 17.2 4.8
2009 626 36.4 17.2 5.4
2010 626 36.2 17.2 6.7
2011 624 32.4 19.2 8.2
2012 625 33.6 18.6 8.5
2013 626 28.8 21.7 9.1
2014 622 30.0 20.7 6.8
2015 624 34.0 18.3 6.7
2016 625 30.0 20.8 5.3
2017 625 29.0 21.5 5
2018 627 29.2 21.4 5.3
2019 627 30.2 20.7 6.4
2020 629 30.2 20.8 7.9
2021 623 30.2 20.6 9.6
2022 609 30.2 20.1 7.9
2023 612 30.2 20.2 9.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Dennison Elementary School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 589 22.4 26.2 n/a
1989 519 21.4 24.2 2.5
1990 503 20.6 24.4 5.2
1991 518 20.1 25.7 4.1
1992 374 21.1 17.7 4
1993 375 13.2 28.4 1.9
1994 388 15.0 25.9 2.1
1995 542 21.1 25.7 2.4
1996 542 21.1 25.7 2.4
1997 574 23.1 24.8 2.6
1998 604 23.9 25.3 3
1999 607 24.9 24.4 2.1
2000 604 24.5 24.7 2.6
2001 604 25.8 23.4 2.3
2002 606 28.6 21.2 1.7
2003 606 28.6 21.2 1.7
2004 616 28.8 21.4 2.9
2005 607 27.2 22.3 2.5
2006 618 27.9 22.2 3.9
2007 618 33.8 18.3 4.9
2008 624 36.2 17.2 4.8
2009 626 36.4 17.2 5.4
2010 626 36.2 17.2 6.7
2011 624 32.4 19.2 8.2
2012 625 33.6 18.6 8.5
2013 626 28.8 21.7 9.1
2014 622 30.0 20.7 6.8
2015 624 34.0 18.3 6.7
2016 625 30.0 20.8 5.3
2017 625 29.0 21.5 5
2018 627 29.2 21.4 5.3
2019 627 30.2 20.7 6.4
2020 629 30.2 20.8 7.9
2021 623 30.2 20.6 9.6
2022 609 30.2 20.1 7.9
2023 612 30.2 20.2 9.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Dennison Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $10,223
2020 $10,707
2021 $11,017
2022 $12,380

Data source: Colorado Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Dennison Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 5th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 2nd of 933 Elementary schools
 0.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Dennison Elementary School)71.679.3
 7.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)46.348.2
 1.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Dennison Elementary School)84.185.9
 1.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)45.748.1
 2.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Dennison Elementary School)96.693.4
 3.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)5653.5
 2.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Dennison Elementary School)87.687.9
 0.3%
   4th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)38.539.9
 1.4%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Dennison Elementary School)9191.2
 0.2%
   5th Grade Science (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)41.641.6
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Dennison Elementary School)87.693.4
 5.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)53.655.6
 2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Dennison Elementary School)84.394.5
 10.2%
   5th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)39.441.7
 2.3%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Dennison Elementary School)9294.4
 2.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)51.549.3
 2.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)43.643.4
 0.2%
6th Grade Math (Dennison Elementary School)87.584.7
 2.8%
   6th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)3532.2
 2.8%
   6th Grade Math (Colorado)29.528.2
 1.3%
All Grades English Language Arts (Dennison Elementary School)8789.9
 2.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)51.750.8
 0.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Dennison Elementary School)85.988.4
 2.5%
   All Grades Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)39.838.7
 1.1%
   All Grades Math (Colorado)34.732.9
 1.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students627612
 2.4%
African American30
 100%
American Indian41
 75%
Asian3866
 73.7%
Hispanic8180
 1.2%
Pacific Islander31
 66.7%
White459423
 7.8%
Two or More Races3941
 5.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients6.4%9.5%
 3.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Dennison Elementary School

Yes! Dennison Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 2nd of 935 Colorado elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 612 students attended Dennison Elementary School.

Students at Dennison Elementary School are 69% White, 13% Hispanic, 11% Asian, 7% Two or more races.


Rate Dennison Elementary School!



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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education. School Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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