Ponderosa Elementary School

Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

517 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

Ponderosa Elementary School, located in Aurora, Colorado, is a public school serving a diverse student population within the Cherry Creek School District. The school is known for its commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that prioritizes academic growth, social-emotional development, and the cultivation of a strong school community. By fostering a collaborative atmosphere between educators, families, and students, the school aims to ensure that every learner is equipped with the foundational skills necessary for future success.

In addition to its core academic curriculum, Ponderosa Elementary emphasizes a holistic approach to education by offering various programs and initiatives designed to engage students both inside and outside the classroom. The school focuses on building character and resilience, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning journey. With a dedicated staff and a focus on equity and excellence, Ponderosa remains a vital hub in the Aurora area, striving to meet the unique needs of its students while maintaining high standards for personal and scholastic achievement.

517

Total Students

36.8

Full-Time Teachers

14.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

87.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Ponderosa Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	105
Hispanic	193
Black	128
Asian	44
Two or More	44
American Indian	3

Hispanic
193 (37.3 %)
Black
128 (24.8 %)
White
105 (20.3 %)
Asian
44 (8.5 %)
Two or More
44 (8.5 %)
American Indian
3 (0.6 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
Phone:	(720)747-2800
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	517
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	36.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	408
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	45

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 90

Grade 1 92

Grade 2 80

Grade 3 86

Grade 4 83

Grade 5 86