Elaine S. Padilla Elementary School

Elaine S. Padilla Elementary School is a PK–5 elementary school in Brighton, Colorado, serving 672 students in School District 27J, and it has established itself as a school on the rise. Over the past four years, Padilla has climbed from the 24th percentile to the 45th percentile in statewide rankings, now earning a 2-star rating. This upward momentum is particularly visible in math, where proficiency has nearly doubled from 20.1% to 36.5% — now just shy of the state average. Reading proficiency sits at 40.6%, well above the district's 34.2%, though still below the state's 44.7%.

Padilla's greatest academic strength is its work with Hispanic students, who rank in the 67th percentile statewide compared to their peers in other Colorado schools. The school also outperforms several nearby schools with similar or higher poverty levels, including South Elementary, Northeast Elementary, and Southeast Elementary, by wide margins. However, there is a notable gender gap: female students rank in the 43rd percentile while male students rank in the 23rd percentile. Science is the clearest vulnerability, with only 22% of 5th graders proficient — 14 points below the state average.

Chronic absenteeism is a concern at 28.8%, up from 25.1% the previous year, and notably higher than higher-performing nearby schools like Reunion Elementary (18.4%) and Foundations Academy (20.1%). With a student-teacher ratio of 19.1 — higher than most nearby traditional elementary schools — reducing absenteeism may be the most impactful lever for continued improvement. Overall, Padilla is a mid-tier school with a positive trajectory, strong math gains, and meaningful success with Hispanic students, but it has clear opportunities in science, support for boys, and attendance.