- Enrollment
- 3,852
- Students per teacher
- 20.4:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Aurora, CO
Ponderosa Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Ponderosa Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 50/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 080291000200
👥 S:T ratio 30
🌟 Gifted program 70
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Ponderosa Elementary School earns 50/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Colorado median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Colorado schools.
- #31 of 70
- schools in Aurora · Resource Index
- 50
- Resource Index · Higher
- 17.6:1
- students per teacher
- 60.2%
- free-lunch eligible
Ponderosa Elementary School has class sizes near the Colorado median. Computed live against every Colorado school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Ponderosa Elementary School ranks #31 of 70 schools in Aurora, CO.
School address
NCES ID 080291000200 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+55 students YoY
Ponderosa Elementary School grew from 517 students in 2022-23 to 572 in 2023-24 (+10.6%).
Teacher FTE lost 36.8 → 36.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+55 students YoY 080291000200 · Aurora, CO Other · MID · TRAD
634 enr · 17.6:1 · 60.2% lunch · RII 50
Nearest enrollment peer: Cherry Creek High School (3,852 students)
Ponderosa Elementary School grew from 517 students in 2022-23 to 572 in 2023-24 (+10.6%). Teacher FTE lost 36.8 → 36.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Colorado schools → · Find another →
Ponderosa Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Cherry Creek H
Cherry Creek High School
3,852 students
- Cherokee Trail
Cherokee Trail High School
3,089 students
- Eaglecrest Hig
Eaglecrest High School
2,851 students
- Grandview High
Grandview High School
2,684 students
- Smoky Hill Hig
Smoky Hill High School
2,297 students
- This school 634
Ponderosa Elementary School
634 students
What this shows Ponderosa Elementary School reports 634 students on the CCD universe file.
How Ponderosa Elementary School compares
Ponderosa Elementary School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Colorado and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Colorado | Colorado avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 17.6:1 | ▲ 6% | 16.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 60.2% | ▲ 56% | 38.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 634 | top 17% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
17.6:1
Leaner classes than 27% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
634
Bigger than 76% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
60.2%
free-lunch eligible
- 56% above the Colorado average of 38.5%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
17.6:1
students per teacher
- 6% above state mean
Top 68% in Colorado - lower ratio than 32% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Funding equity
$15,158
per pupil, district-wide
- below Colorado avg of $17,910
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
16
in-school suspensions + 19 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 2.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 5.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 44.3%
African American 21.9%
White 15.0%
Two or More 10.3%
Asian 7.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 44.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 71.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 71.6, Ponderosa Elementary School is more mixed than the Colorado school average of 47.1.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the County of Arapah reports $15,158 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Ponderosa Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Cherokee Trail High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Eaglecrest High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Grandview High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Smoky Hill High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Ponderosa Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 3,089
- Students per teacher
- 20.3:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 2,851
- Students per teacher
- 18.5:1
- Resource Index
- 47/100
- Enrollment
- 2,684
- Students per teacher
- 18.1:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 2,297
- Students per teacher
- 19.5:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~634 students)
Frequently asked questions about Ponderosa Elementary School
How many students attend Ponderosa Elementary School?
Ponderosa Elementary School has 634 students enrolled. It is a public school in Aurora, CO. CCD year-over-year: 517 (2022-23) → 572 (2023-24), up 55.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary School is 17.6:1, which is 6% higher than the Colorado average of 16.6:1 and 12% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Ponderosa Elementary School?
60.2% of students at Ponderosa Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Colorado average of 38.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Ponderosa Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Ponderosa Elementary School is Hispanic or Latino at 44.3% of enrollment, in Aurora, CO. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 71.6/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Ponderosa Elementary School?
Ponderosa Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 50/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 2 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology). Limited indicators were available, so the index reflects partial data.
How does Ponderosa Elementary School rank among schools in Aurora?
By Resource Investment Index, Ponderosa Elementary School ranks #31 of 70 schools in Aurora, CO. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Aurora on the city page.
What other schools are in Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the County of Arapah?
Besides Ponderosa Elementary School, Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the County of Arapah also operates Cherry Creek High School (3,852 students), Cherokee Trail High School (3,089 students), and Eaglecrest High School (2,851 students). See the Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the County of Arapah district page for the complete list.