Kemper Elementary School

Summary:

Kemper Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cortez, Colorado, serving 357 students in grades K-5. The school faces significant challenges, including low academic performance, a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, and a relatively high student-teacher ratio.

Academically, Kemper Elementary has struggled, with only 33.5% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 26.5% proficient in math, well below the state averages. The school's science proficiency rate for 5th graders is slightly better at 44.1%, but still lags the state's 37.9%. Kemper's performance has declined over the past few years, with its statewide ranking dropping from 278 out of 710 Colorado elementary schools in 2020-2021 to 566 out of 943 in 2023-2024. In contrast, nearby schools like Lewis-Arriola Elementary and Battle Rock Charter School have higher proficiency rates in ELA and math.

Kemper Elementary's student population is diverse, with around 47% White, 22% Hispanic, and 21% Native American students. However, the school faces significant socioeconomic challenges, with 69.75% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, significantly higher than the state average. This is in contrast to nearby schools like Lewis-Arriola Elementary and Battle Rock Charter, which have lower percentages of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. Addressing these issues will be crucial for Kemper Elementary to improve student outcomes and provide a high-quality education for its diverse student population.


Detail:

Public K-5

 620 East Montezuma
       Cortez, CO  81321-3332


(970) 565-3737

District: Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1

SchoolDigger Rank:
566th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,422 Help


Students who attend Kemper Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Montezuma-Cortez Middle School
High:    Montezuma-Cortez High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.4 Help
Number of students:  347

Racial breakdown:

White:
47.3%
Hispanic:
22.5%
American Indian:
20.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  57.9% Help


 See top rated Colorado elementary schools

 Compare Kemper Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Kemper Elementary School ranks worse than 60% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 2nd among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.28. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Kemper Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (47.3%), Hispanic (22.5%), American Indian (20.7%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 57.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Kemper Elementary School is 16.4. 5 elementary schools in the Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Kemper Elementary School employs 21.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Kemper Elementary School is $15,422. 3 elementary schools in the Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Kemper Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Kemper Elementary School 566th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Kemper Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:




What do you think?

Your rating for Kemper Elementary School?

Rank History for Kemper Elementary School

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Kemper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 26.55 622nd 808 23.0%
2005 19.65 686th 823 16.6%
2006 25.65 652nd 829 21.4%
2007 17.32 723rd 852 15.1%
2008 23.50 683rd 849 19.6%
2009 16.09 745th 872 14.6%
2010 18.71 771st 925 16.6%
2011 15.76 809th 935 13.5%
2012 21.41 762nd 935 18.5%
2013 14.37 831st 954 12.9%
2014 12.74 864th 962 10.2%
2015 17.09 792nd 938 15.6%
2016 21.18 721st 914 21.1%
2017 14.11 819th 929 11.8%
2018 19.32 737th 917 19.6%
2019 22.02 750th 965 22.3%
2021 63.46 278th 710 60.8%
2022 32.31 594th 921 35.5%
2023 25.05 671st 933 28.1%
2024 34.28 566th 943 40.0%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Kemper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 14.50 316th 332 4.8%
2021 61.43 26th 75 65.3%
2022 45.34 99th 203 51.2%
2023 27.67 215th 265 18.9%
2024 34.93 246th 365 32.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Kemper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.77 674th 690 2.3%
2019 15.06 669th 758 11.7%
2021 46.10 234th 351 33.3%
2022 24.63 452nd 595 24.0%
2023 18.96 522nd 642 18.7%
2024 35.92 441st 684 35.5%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Kemper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.01 546th 693 21.2%
2019 29.44 525th 764 31.3%
2021 60.37 169th 352 52.0%
2022 37.71 357th 594 39.9%
2023 19.01 535th 649 17.6%
2024 27.15 474th 683 30.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Kemper Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.33 301st 337 10.7%
2019 18.53 516th 596 13.4%
2021 56.46 145th 288 49.7%
2022 33.35 338th 454 25.6%
2023 19.34 462nd 525 12.0%
2024 25.21 436th 539 19.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Kemper Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Colorado Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Kemper Elementary School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Kemper Elementary School, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Kemper Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 306 0 0 35 52 n/a n/a 0 393
1989 301 0 2 39 56 n/a n/a 0 398
1990 323 0 0 34 58 n/a n/a 0 415
1991 303 0 5 36 57 n/a n/a 0 401
1992 304 0 0 57 67 n/a n/a 0 428
1993 288 0 0 44 78 n/a n/a 0 410
1994 297 0 0 44 91 n/a n/a 0 432
1995 241 0 1 47 102 n/a n/a 0 391
1996 241 0 1 47 102 n/a n/a 0 391
1997 211 0 4 31 89 n/a n/a 0 335
1998 205 0 6 30 78 n/a n/a 0 319
1999 198 0 5 26 79 n/a n/a 0 308
2000 210 0 4 38 80 n/a n/a 0 332
2001 194 1 5 31 89 n/a n/a 0 320
2002 188 3 1 41 75 n/a n/a 0 308
2003 188 3 1 41 75 n/a n/a 0 308
2004 197 3 4 39 72 n/a n/a 0 315
2005 175 1 3 44 76 n/a n/a 0 299
2006 171 1 2 62 76 n/a n/a 0 312
2007 143 4 0 56 80 n/a n/a 0 283
2008 204 3 2 86 98 n/a n/a 0 393
2009 233 3 5 98 99 n/a n/a 0 438
2010 227 3 3 78 104 n/a n/a 0 415
2011 235 1 2 60 96 0 10 0 404
2012 197 2 2 57 95 0 10 0 363
2013 210 0 1 81 93 0 9 0 394
2014 204 0 0 85 96 1 13 0 399
2015 176 1 1 74 92 1 11 0 356
2016 183 1 2 86 101 0 12 0 385
2017 175 2 3 93 92 0 18 0 383
2018 182 1 2 88 96 0 21 0 390
2019 173 1 5 74 99 0 17 0 369
2020 180 0 6 77 93 0 23 0 379
2021 177 0 5 78 84 0 19 0 363
2022 158 0 6 67 78 0 24 0 333
2023 169 0 4 78 76 0 30 0 357
2024 164 0 2 78 72 0 31 0 347

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Kemper Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 393 21.9 17.9 n/a
1989 398 21.7 18.3 28.9
1990 415 22.7 18.2 33.7
1991 401 21.2 18.9 28.4
1992 428 23.0 18.6 29.2
1993 410 23.5 17.4 33.9
1994 432 24.6 17.6 36.3
1995 391 25.0 15.6 39.6
1996 391 25.0 15.6 39.6
1997 335 21.0 16.0 40.3
1998 319 20.0 16.0 40.1
1999 308 23.4 13.2 43.2
2000 332 23.8 13.9 57.5
2001 320 22.5 14.2 62.2
2002 308 22.0 14.0 56.2
2003 308 22.0 14.0 56.2
2004 315 20.5 15.4 52.7
2005 299 21.8 13.7 62.9
2006 312 22.6 13.8 58.7
2007 283 23.6 12.0 59
2008 393 23.0 17.1 57.8
2009 438 25.1 17.5 56.6
2010 415 24.6 16.8 64.6
2011 404 22.9 17.6 64.1
2012 363 23.5 15.4 63.6
2013 394 22.9 17.1 64
2014 399 23.5 16.9 66.7
2015 356 23.0 15.4 69.9
2016 385 22.0 17.5 66
2017 383 21.5 17.8 76
2018 390 23.5 16.5 70.8
2019 369 22.7 16.2 71.8
2020 379 24.0 15.7 62
2021 363 20.8 17.3 52.6
2022 333 20.4 16.3 60.1
2023 357 21.4 16.6 69.7
2024 347 21.1 16.4 57.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Kemper Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 393 21.9 17.9 n/a
1989 398 21.7 18.3 28.9
1990 415 22.7 18.2 33.7
1991 401 21.2 18.9 28.4
1992 428 23.0 18.6 29.2
1993 410 23.5 17.4 33.9
1994 432 24.6 17.6 36.3
1995 391 25.0 15.6 39.6
1996 391 25.0 15.6 39.6
1997 335 21.0 16.0 40.3
1998 319 20.0 16.0 40.1
1999 308 23.4 13.2 43.2
2000 332 23.8 13.9 57.5
2001 320 22.5 14.2 62.2
2002 308 22.0 14.0 56.2
2003 308 22.0 14.0 56.2
2004 315 20.5 15.4 52.7
2005 299 21.8 13.7 62.9
2006 312 22.6 13.8 58.7
2007 283 23.6 12.0 59
2008 393 23.0 17.1 57.8
2009 438 25.1 17.5 56.6
2010 415 24.6 16.8 64.6
2011 404 22.9 17.6 64.1
2012 363 23.5 15.4 63.6
2013 394 22.9 17.1 64
2014 399 23.5 16.9 66.7
2015 356 23.0 15.4 69.9
2016 385 22.0 17.5 66
2017 383 21.5 17.8 76
2018 390 23.5 16.5 70.8
2019 369 22.7 16.2 71.8
2020 379 24.0 15.7 62
2021 363 20.8 17.3 52.6
2022 333 20.4 16.3 60.1
2023 357 21.4 16.6 69.7
2024 347 21.1 16.4 57.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Kemper Elementary School

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $10,549
2020 $10,417
2021 $11,414
2022 $12,608
2023 $15,422

Data source: Colorado Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Kemper Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 750th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 671st of 933 Elementary schools
 5.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Kemper Elementary School)27.415.7
 11.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1)25.117.6
 7.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Kemper Elementary School)19.421.7
 2.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1)28.422.8
 5.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Kemper Elementary School)3928.8
 10.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1)36.529.2
 7.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Kemper Elementary School)11.927.1
 15.2%
   4th Grade Math (Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1)12.621.1
 8.5%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Kemper Elementary School)23.331.1
 7.8%
   5th Grade Science (Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1)22.721
 1.7%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Kemper Elementary School)38.340.5
 2.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1)32.433.2
 0.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Kemper Elementary School)2015.3
 4.7%
   5th Grade Math (Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1)20.919.5
 1.4%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Kemper Elementary School)34.828.6
 6.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1)31.527.4
 4.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Kemper Elementary School)17.121
 3.9%
   All Grades Math (Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1)17.318.1
 0.8%
   All Grades Math (Colorado)34.732.9
 1.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students369357
 3.3%
African American10
 100%
American Indian9976
 23.2%
Asian54
 20%
Hispanic7478
 5.4%
Pacific Islander00
White173169
 2.3%
Two or More Races1730
 76.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients71.8%69.7%
 2.1%


Schools Near Kemper Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Kemper Elementary School

Kemper Elementary School ranks 566th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 347 students attended Kemper Elementary School.

Students at Kemper Elementary School are 47% White, 22% Hispanic, 21% American Indian, 9% Two or more races.

Students who attend Kemper Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Montezuma-Cortez Middle School
High : Montezuma-Cortez High School


Rate Kemper Elementary School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Kemper Elementary School!




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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 681 milliseconds.