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Willow Creek Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

71^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 946 Colorado Elementary Schools

Better than 92% of Colorado elementary schools

Summary

Willow Creek Elementary School in Centennial, CO, serves 462 students in grades PK-5 and is part of the Cherry Creek School District No. 5, a district ranked 26th out of 115 in Colorado. The school currently holds a 5-star rating and ranks 71st out of 943 Colorado elementary schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile statewide. This represents a strong recovery from a post-pandemic dip — the school ranked 144th in 2021-2022 but has rebounded to near its pre-pandemic form, when it ranked in the top 50 statewide.

Academically, Willow Creek excels across all tested subjects. In 2025-2026, CMAS proficiency rates hit 71.3% in English Language Arts, 68.5% in math, and 60.6% in 5th-grade science — well above the district averages of 49.5%, 44.2%, and 38.3% respectively. Students also show clear growth as they move through the school: math proficiency climbs from 59.1% in 3rd grade to 73.7% in 5th grade, a roughly 15-point improvement. Science is a quiet strength, with proficiency far exceeding the state average of 36.1% and trailing only Dry Creek Elementary School and Cherry Creek Charter Academy among nearby schools.

One of Willow Creek's most striking differentiators is attendance: only 5.6% of students are chronically absent, compared to 25.3% for the district and 28.4% statewide. The contrast with Red Hawk Ridge Elementary School, just 1.65 miles away, is stark — that school has a 38% chronic absenteeism rate and significantly lower proficiency. Among nearby schools, Homestead Elementary School posts slightly higher ELA and math scores, while Cherry Creek Charter Academy outranks all area schools at 14th statewide. The school's student-teacher ratio of 16.0 is slightly higher than neighboring schools, yet outcomes remain top-tier. One area to watch: the gifted and talented subgroup ranking has declined from the 82nd percentile in 2017-2018 to the 48th percentile currently, which may warrant attention.

462

Students ?

16.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,222

Per pupil spending ?

14.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

7855 South Willow Way
Centennial, CO 80112-2728

(720) 554-3900

District: Cherry Creek School District No. 5

Students who attend Willow Creek Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Campus Middle School
High:	Cherry Creek High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.6%

Two or more races:

14.5%

Hispanic:

12.3%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Willow Creek Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 98th percentile in 2016 → 92nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Colorado average (68% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 8% of Colorado elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Cherry Creek School District No. 5

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 6 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school68%

District avg46%

Colorado avg41%

71^st of 946

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 8%▼ down 6 pts since 2016

From top 2% (2016) to top 8% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 46Elementary Schools in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5

26^th of 114Cherry Creek School District No. 5 among Colorado districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	90.0	71 of 946	92.5%	★★★★★
2025	84.0	129 of 950	86.4%	★★★★☆
2024	90.5	72 of 943	92.4%	★★★★★
2023	87.6	95 of 933	89.8%	★★★★☆
2022	81.8	144 of 921	84.4%	★★★★☆
2021	81.7	135 of 710	81.0%	★★★★☆
2019	93.2	42 of 965	95.6%	★★★★★
2018	93.5	46 of 917	95.0%	★★★★★
2017	94.5	32 of 929	96.6%	★★★★★
2016	96.7	16 of 914	98.2%	★★★★★
2015	92.3	60 of 938	93.6%	★★★★★
2014	94.5	19 of 962	98.0%	★★★★★
2013	94.0	21 of 954	97.8%	★★★★★
2012	93.9	14 of 935	98.5%	★★★★★
2011	93.8	14 of 935	98.5%	★★★★★
2010	92.9	25 of 925	97.3%	★★★★★
2009	93.2	17 of 872	98.1%	★★★★★
2008	91.7	32 of 849	96.2%	★★★★★
2007	90.9	33 of 852	96.1%	★★★★★
2006	92.1	25 of 829	97.0%	★★★★★
2005	92.1	20 of 823	97.6%	★★★★★
2004	94.1	10 of 808	98.8%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	83.9	80 of 695	88.5%	★★★★☆
2025	76.6	126 of 694	81.8%	★★★★☆
2024	84.2	78 of 684	88.6%	★★★★☆
2023	83.9	80 of 642	87.5%	★★★★☆
2022	76.1	118 of 595	80.2%	★★★★☆
2021	80.2	71 of 351	79.8%	★★★★☆
2019	90.9	37 of 758	95.1%	★★★★★
2018	89.5	45 of 690	93.5%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	60.0	62 of 120	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	65.6	36 of 110	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	72.7	15 of 84	82.1%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	87.8	60 of 697	91.4%	★★★★★
2025	75.4	149 of 700	78.7%	★★★★☆
2024	84.2	85 of 683	87.6%	★★★★☆
2023	80.3	106 of 649	83.7%	★★★★☆
2022	74.3	140 of 594	76.4%	★★★★☆
2021	68.4	131 of 352	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	89.0	55 of 764	92.8%	★★★★★
2018	91.1	41 of 693	94.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	72.0	133 of 547	75.7%	★★★★☆
2025	58.8	216 of 551	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.9	109 of 539	79.8%	★★★★☆
2023	75.3	103 of 525	80.4%	★★★★☆
2022	60.0	185 of 454	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.3	134 of 288	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	81.6	66 of 596	88.9%	★★★★☆
2018	78.6	60 of 337	82.2%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2026)91st percentile~ school

Female (2026)88th percentile-4 vs school

White (2026)76th percentile-17 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)48th percentile-44 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts71%+27 vs state

Math68%+31 vs state

Science61%+24 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

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3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, October 30, 2018

I love this school Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, August 17, 2017

We love this school! Teachers have been here for a long time. They live in the district and send their kids here too. They are fantastic, loving and caring. Our kids have made great friends and their parents are great too. Close Quote

Schools Near Willow Creek Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CMAS English Language Arts (2026)							CMAS Math (2026)							CMAS Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CMAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Math 3rd Grade	CMAS Math 4th Grade	CMAS Math 5th Grade	CMAS Math 6th Grade	CMAS Math 7th Grade	CMAS Math 8th Grade	CMAS Math All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	CMAS Science 8th Grade	Total
Willow Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7855 South Willow Way	Centennial	80112	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	No	No	No	(720) 554-3900	462	29	16.0	14.7%	294 (63.6%)	5 (1.1%)	57 (12.3%)	39 (8.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	67 (14.5%)	90	71^st of 946 public elementary schools	92.5%		84	129^th of 950 public elementary schools	86.4%	58	62.1	75.3	74.5				71.3	59.1	70.1	73.7				68.5	60.6		$20,222
Dry Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7686 East Hinsdale Avenue	Englewood	80112	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	No	No	No	(720) 554-3300	269	19	14.0	20.1%	169 (62.8%)	10 (3.7%)	37 (13.8%)	17 (6.3%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (12.6%)	83	152^nd of 946 public elementary schools	83.9%		88.6	88^th of 950 public elementary schools	90.7%	64	63.8	65.8	83.3				70.2	58.3	39.5	66.7				54.9	69.4		$21,881
Walnut Hills Community Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8195 East Costilla Boulevard	Centennial	80112	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	No	No	No	(720) 554-3800	342	24	14.1	33.3%	144 (42.1%)	11 (3.2%)	97 (28.4%)	48 (14.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (12.0%)	84.7	134^th of 946 public elementary schools	85.8%		80.9	164^th of 950 public elementary schools	82.7%	30	49.0	75.8	71.1				63.6	66.7	76.5	57.8				66.2	58.1		$23,421
Acres Green Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	13524 North Acres Green Drive	Littleton	80124	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-7125	341	25	13.6	36.7%	128 (37.5%)	10 (2.9%)	103 (30.2%)	70 (20.5%)	6 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (7.0%)	57.6	380^th of 946 public elementary schools	59.8%		45.5	486^th of 950 public elementary schools	48.8%	106	715.0	43.6	748.0	43.8			39.7	38.7	34.2	57.7	50.0			44.1	50.0		$19,274
Homestead Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7451 South Homestead Parkway	Centennial	80112	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	No	No	No	(720) 554-3700	334	23	14.8	12.9%	256 (76.6%)	8 (2.4%)	30 (9.0%)	16 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (7.2%)	87.1	106^th of 946 public elementary schools	88.8%		92.3	50^th of 950 public elementary schools	94.7%	56	81.8	81.3	66.7				76.8	75.0	81.6	68.8				75.2	34.7		$20,511
Red Hawk Ridge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	16251 E Geddes Avenue	Centennial	80112	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	No	No	No	(720) 886-3800	518	34	15.3	57.7%	135 (26.1%)	82 (15.8%)	185 (35.7%)	35 (6.8%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	77 (14.9%)	32.5	595^th of 946 public elementary schools	37.1%		35.4	569^th of 950 public elementary schools	40.1%	26	35.4	33.9	51.7				40.1	32.3	27.9	27.8				29.4	18.5		$19,874
Eagle Ridge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	7716 Timberline Road	Lone Tree	80124	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-7075	571	37	15.6	30.8%	280 (49.0%)	52 (9.1%)	130 (22.8%)	49 (8.6%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (10.0%)	72.3	238^th of 946 public elementary schools	74.8%		74.4	232^nd of 950 public elementary schools	75.6%	6	40.0	69.1	62.7	52.6			56.1	49.3	59.4	47.0	57.6			53.2	47.7		$19,947
Heritage Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6867 East Heritage Place South	Centennial	80111	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	No	No	No	(720) 554-3500	302	23	13.1	23.5%	180 (59.6%)	4 (1.3%)	26 (8.6%)	60 (19.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (10.3%)	87.7	97^th of 946 public elementary schools	89.7%		83.8	131^st of 950 public elementary schools	86.2%	34	62.0	68.3	78.0				69.4	56.0	68.9	72.0				65.8	57.1		$23,278
Cherry Creek Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	6260 South Dayton Street	Greenwood Village	80111	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	Yes	No	No	No	(303) 779-8988	594	38	15.6	16.5%	279 (47.0%)	34 (5.7%)	42 (7.1%)	186 (31.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	52 (8.8%)	97	14^th of 946 public elementary schools	98.5%		97	13^th of 950 public elementary schools	98.6%	1	85.3	82.0	93.5	78.0	90.5	81.3	86.2	93.3	86.0	70.1	68.0	81.0	100.0	81.8	68.8	70.4	$14,152
Fox Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	6585 Collegiate Drive	Highlands Ranch	80130	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-7000	436	29	15.0	17.7%	311 (71.3%)	5 (1.1%)	64 (14.7%)	17 (3.9%)	2 (0.5%)	3 (0.7%)	34 (7.8%)	83.5	143^rd of 946 public elementary schools	84.9%		79.5	181^st of 950 public elementary schools	80.9%	38	67.4	73.8	65.0	76.5			70.7	50.0	53.8	57.6	53.1			53.9	59.3		$18,200

Frequently Asked Questions about Willow Creek Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Willow Creek Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Willow Creek Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Campus Middle School
High : Cherry Creek High School

What district is Willow Creek Elementary School in?

Cherry Creek School District No. 5

Is Willow Creek Elementary School a good school?

Yes. Willow Creek Elementary School ranks in the top 7.5% of Colorado elementary schools.

How many students attend Willow Creek Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 462 students attended Willow Creek Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Willow Creek Elementary School?

Students at Willow Creek Elementary School are 64% White, 15% Two or more races, 12% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 1% African American.

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Latest Colorado data All new data »

2025–26 CMAS, PSAT10, PSAT9 & SAT test scoresAug 19, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataAug 27, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries 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.