Elbert Elementary School

Elbert Elementary School is a small, rural PK–5 school in Elbert, Colorado, serving 141 students as part of the Elbert School District No. 200. Despite its modest size, the school consistently outperforms both its district and the state in English Language Arts and math, with 55.4% of students proficient in ELA and 46.2% in math, compared to state averages of 44.7% and 37.3%. With a student–teacher ratio of 13.4:1, the school offers smaller class sizes and more individualized attention than most nearby schools.

The school's most striking signature is its exceptional 5th-grade cohort. In 2025–2026, 77.8% of 5th graders were proficient in ELA and 66.7% in math—roughly 28 points above state averages and competitive with affluent suburban schools like Franktown Elementary School, Pikes Peak School Expeditionary Learning, and Edith Wolford Elementary School. However, 3rd-grade math tells a different story, with only 30.8% proficiency, well below the state's 41.5%. The climb from below-average 3rd-grade math to top-tier 5th-grade performance suggests the school builds momentum through the upper elementary years. Overall math proficiency has risen from 32.1% in 2022–2023 to 46.2% today—a notable gain even with a slight recent dip.

The clearest area for improvement is attendance: 23.8% of students are chronically absent, roughly two and a half times the rate at Ray E Kilmer Elementary School (9.5%). Meanwhile, the school has adapted well to a changing student body—free/reduced lunch eligibility jumped from 18.4% to 31.9% over two years while test scores held steady or improved. Elbert outpaces other rural schools with similar poverty profiles, like Peyton Elementary School and Running Creek Elementary School, though it trails wealthier suburban schools by 10–20 points in math. For parents seeking a small, close-knit school with strong upper-grade academics, Elbert is a solid choice—especially if attendance improves.