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GreatSchools Rating

Aspen Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 391 students

Our school is best known for its welcoming feeling.
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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4 reviews of this school


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Posted July 18, 2012

I disagree strongly with the post below (June 26, 2012). Aspen remains an outstanding school with an excellent staff. While specialty subjects are important (art, music, etc.), it is the classroom teachers that make the difference at a school, and in this regard Aspen remains strong. I feel this school is the only school in the district that truly has a community feel. All the teachers know all the children, as they see them growing up, and "moving up the hallway" as they advance through the system. Transitions naturally occur within a school, it is happens all the time, and though Aspen was challenged by the loss of several well-loved teachers, it was/is neither a reflection of the quality and morale at Aspen, nor has it affected the quality of my children's eduction. I moved own children from Barranca to be at this school and I am so glad I did.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 26, 2012

Outstanding art, music, band, library and gifted teachers all left Aspen midyear this year (most of them transferred within the district), and students were stuck with sub after sub after sub; projects were started only to be abandoned by replacements. Shame on the district administration for allowing this to happen. Shame on the principal for failing to communicate with parents and students. And shame on parents for their indifference or defense of the transfers as career moves. There is little sense of community at this school privacy is guarded like a badge and new and out-of-district students are given the cold shoulder by their peers. As long as the district's only goal is to teach to the tests, students will keep getting good test scores. However, some of us want and expect vision and leadership that engages and inspires the students, broadens their perspective and supports character and community building from a district that is touted as one of the best in the state.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 11, 2008

My child has attended Aspen elementary since kindergarten, and the teachers and staff has been wonderful in helping my child achieve her goals.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 28, 2007

Aspen is so much better than Barranca. I moved to get my kids into Aspen. We had nothing but stress at Barranca, with exception to the preschool program, and a few instructors. At Aspen we are treated with dignity by most of the staff, and my children want to go. They are down to earth and concerned about the well being of their students and seem much more inviting when it comes to involving the parent(s) in the educational process.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 53% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
81%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 52% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
86%
Science

The state average for Science was 83% in 2010.

52 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
98%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Mexico used the New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (NMSBA) to test students in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 in Reading and Math. The NMSBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Mexico. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See New Mexico's state standards

Source: New Mexico Public Education Department

Math

The state average for Math was 44% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
43%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 50% in 2012.

55 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
72%

2009

 
 
76%
Science

The state average for Science was 47% in 2011.

51 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
67%

2009

 
 
86%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Mexico used the New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (NMSBA) to test students in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 in Reading and Math. The NMSBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Mexico. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See New Mexico's state standards

Source: New Mexico Public Education Department

Math

The state average for Math was 44% in 2012.

50 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
58%

2009

 
 
62%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 55% in 2012.

50 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
61%
Science

The state average for Science was 52% in 2010.

45 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
71%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Mexico used the New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (NMSBA) to test students in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 in Reading and Math. The NMSBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Mexico. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See New Mexico's state standards

Source: New Mexico Public Education Department

Math

The state average for Math was 37% in 2012.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
64%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 48% in 2012.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
68%
Science

The state average for Science was 30% in 2010.

39 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
75%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Mexico used the New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (NMSBA) to test students in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 in Reading and Math. The NMSBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Mexico. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See New Mexico's state standards

Source: New Mexico Public Education Department

Math

All Students71%
Female63%
Male79%
Asiann/a
Hispanic55%
Native Americann/a
White84%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities71%
English Language Learner Currentn/a
English Language Learner Exitedn/a

Reading

All Students69%
Female78%
Male61%
Asiann/a
Hispanic40%
Native Americann/a
White84%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities50%
English Language Learner Currentn/a
English Language Learner Exitedn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Mexico used the New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (NMSBA) to test students in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 in Reading and Math. The NMSBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Mexico. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the New Mexico Public Education Department. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Mexico's state standards

Source: New Mexico Public Education Department

Math

All Students84%
Female88%
Male78%
Asiann/a
Hispanic76%
Native Americann/a
White86%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities31%
English Language Learner Currentn/a
English Language Learner Exitedn/a

Reading

All Students76%
Female81%
Male70%
Asiann/a
Hispanic77%
Native Americann/a
White78%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities15%
English Language Learner Currentn/a
English Language Learner Exitedn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Mexico used the New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (NMSBA) to test students in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 in Reading and Math. The NMSBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Mexico. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the New Mexico Public Education Department. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Mexico's state standards

Source: New Mexico Public Education Department

Math

All Students60%
Female50%
Male66%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic56%
Native Americann/a
White64%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English Language Learner Currentn/a
English Language Learner Exitedn/a

Reading

All Students76%
Female72%
Male78%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic56%
Native Americann/a
White86%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English Language Learner Currentn/a
English Language Learner Exitedn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Mexico used the New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (NMSBA) to test students in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 in Reading and Math. The NMSBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Mexico. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the New Mexico Public Education Department. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Mexico's state standards

Source: New Mexico Public Education Department

Math

All Students74%
Female68%
Male79%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic40%
Native Americann/a
White86%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English Language Learner Currentn/a
English Language Learner Exitedn/a

Reading

All Students86%
Female84%
Male88%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic60%
Native Americann/a
White97%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English Language Learner Currentn/a
English Language Learner Exitedn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Mexico used the New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (NMSBA) to test students in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 in Reading and Math. The NMSBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Mexico. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the New Mexico Public Education Department. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Mexico's state standards

Source: New Mexico Public Education Department

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 66% 29%
Hispanic 27% 56%
Asian/Pacific Islander 6% 1%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 11%
Black 0% 3%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Special education / special needs

Level of special education programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular special education needs
Extra learning resources offered
  • Differentiated learning programs

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

School facilities
  • Computer lab
Clubs
  • Math club
  • Technology club

Arts & music

School facilities
  • Art room
  • Music room
  • Performance stage
Visual arts
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture
  • Textile design
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra
Clubs
  • Sewing/knitting club

Language learning

Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs
Languages supported by ESL/ELL programs
  • Other

Health & athletics

School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Gym
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 8:20 am
School end time
  • 3:20 pm
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • After school
School Leader's name
  • Kathryn Vandenkieboom
Best ways for parents to contact the school
  • Phone
Gender
  • Coed
Is there an application process?
  • No

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • None
Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • None
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered

Don't understand these terms?
  • No
Level of special education programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular special education needs
Foreign languages taught
  • None
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs
Languages supported by ESL/ELL programs
  • Other

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Counseling
  • Differentiated learning programs
  • Remediation
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • School shares bus/van with other schools
School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Art room
  • Audiovisual aids
  • Computer lab
  • Gym
  • Internet access
  • Library
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")
  • Music room
  • Performance stage
  • Playground
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • None
Girls sports
  • None

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture
  • Textile design
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra
Performing arts
  • None
Media arts
  • None

Student clubs

Clubs (distinct from courses)
  • Book/reading club
  • Chess club
  • Homework help/study buddy club
  • Math club
  • Sewing/knitting club
  • Technology club
School leaders can update this information here.

School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
Bullying policy
  • This school has a bullying and/or cyber bullying policy in place.
Parent involvement
  • Attend parent nights
  • Join PTO/PTA
  • Organize fundraising events (school auction, bake sales, etc.)
  • Serve on school improvement team or governance council
  • Volunteer in the classroom
School leaders can update this information here.

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2182 33rd St
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Website: Click here
Phone: (505) 663-2275

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