Taylor Elementary School

900 East Buena Ventura Street

School District

Colorado Springs 11
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Colorado Springs 11 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 22, 2025

The school is located on a beautiful campus in a safe neighborhood. It is truly a campus jewel for D11 and a perfect elementary school setting for children. It's extremely safe and completely beautiful. Most of the teachers there are caring, hard working and truly give their hearts to the students. It is art centric and the art teacher at Taylor is truly talented. One reason for two stars is that the school has an extremely high turnover rate of students and enrollment is low-- and it is because the principal in leadership is hostile and creates an environment full of negativity and fear for teachers, parents, staff and children. Also, a few of the teachers there also believe in " collective punishment" -- meaning if one child in the class has inappropriate behavior-- all the children get punished. It doesn't work and is a very outdated model for behavior modification- and always made my child unmotivated and unhappy to be punished for the behavior of others in class. District 11 has Fantastic schools and Amazing teachers- I am Proud my child in this school district and is now at another D11 school that is full of kindness, support and respect for everyone. Nothing is always perfect, but this elementary school is broken in it's leadership and we are glad to be away from there.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2024

I highly recommend this school! My children have attended for many years, and we've consistently been impressed by the engaged and dedicated teachers who truly care about their students. The small size of the school fosters a wonderful sense of community, making it easy for families to connect and support one another. Additionally, the location is ideal, providing a safe and accessible environment for learning. We love how set back it is in the neighborhood. Overall, it’s been a wonderful experience for our family. We look forward to many more years at Taylor!
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2024

Taylor elementary has been in our lives for over 7 years starting with my oldest daughter. It has always been a good school to us we even took her out her second grade year during the pandemic and put her in another school to see if we could get her more advanced and that school ended up holding her back so she had to repeat the third grade there. We started attending back in her fourth grade year and now she's in 5th grade and she's advanced on so many levels that the school is putting her in other classes to teach her more. I appreciate the patience and the guidance that Taylor elementary and the principal Kimberly Gilbert and staff put towards my children day and night. Now my youngest has attended preschool and kindergarten there and if it were up to us we would stay there. It's a good community where they are focused on teaching your children life goals through all types of education whether it be physical mental or emotional. I would definitely recommend this school especially if you're looking for a community that will put forth effort into your children communicate with you about what's going on and have joy at heart while doing it. Thank you so much Taylor we love you.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2023

The school is a community school focused on integrating the Arts into daily instruction. My student feels loved and cared for. I would highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2019

I am very pleased so far. I am heard by staff and my child is progressing quickly. We have great community events. It’s small and I have been able to meet other parents.
Submitted by other on August 17, 2018

A school for high middle class families! Rude leadership!My nephew has attened Taylor Elementary for 4 years. He has developed a low self esteem and worried about fitting in with other students. He has a good relationship with the teachers. The teachers encourage him to help and lead other students. School performances are crowded and have so many children on stage that it is difficult to see your childs performance. As a parent, I have witnessted many scenarios in which a teacher, a school employee, principle or PTA member are disrespectful. Taylor Elementary is biased to families in high economic levels. 2018 PTA leadership is rude and is allowed to speak to parents disrespectfully and gouge families on events. The kids are forced to participate in fundraiser events such as Walk-A-Thon. The outrageously over priced events are difficult for all families to participate. Principle Gilbert follows the PTA leadership and doesn't offer much support or attend meetings.
Submitted by other on May 11, 2016

I always feel welcome in the school. Staff acknowledge visitors positively. The quality and variety of the school activities is wonderful. I wish I had the fortune to be a student here!
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2015

We love Taylor. The teachers and staff are highly competent and very approachable. I have always felt welcome in the classrooms, whether coming as a volunteer or with a question. Most important, Taylor teachers develop good relationships with their students, so that kids are really engaged and interested in learning. Taylor's specials teachers are also fantastic. My kids have had great experiences in art, music, and gym class. The school community overall is very welcoming. Parent engagement is encouraged and it is happening. Taylor has an active PTA that supports programming and organises lots of fun events throughout the year, like a Sock Hop, a Dia de los Muertos celebration, and Chocolate Art Night, to name a few. Even my somewhat shy kiddos felt right at home at Taylor from day one. One of my children recently said to me "I love first grade! I learn something new every day!" -PS Although Greatschools has me tagged as a community member, I am, obviously, a parent at Taylor. Just not sure how to tell that to Greatschools. :)
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2015

We love Taylor. We love the gorgeous, sunlit classrooms and the park and the playgrounds. We love the emphasis on art and reading, the principal's personal care for each student, and the outdoor classroom in the creek. We love the diversity of the community. What a special place.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2015

I do not know how the rest of the grades are but I will not leave my son there to find out. The main kindergarten teacher is wonderful but the rest of them (music, gym, art, and especially the principal) are not equipped to deal with 5 year old boys that are bored because they are not being challenged and act out because they are allowed since there are no consequences.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2014

We have been at this school for three years and we absolutely love it. Our daughter has a learning disorder PPDNOS and struggled with school. With the support of the staff that regularly updated us on our daughters progress as well as regular IEP meetings We were able to bring her testing up not only to satisfactory to get her off her IEP but ahead of her grades reading level. This school has regular events to keep the parents involved with their children's education. Which I find extremely important in having a school where the demographic cares about education. Some of the events to expect is the sock hop the ice cream social and band performances. They do very well with handling bullying and they are almost overly generous to help. The only thing I could say negative is there school cancellations are not always on time but I give this school a 9.8 as a parent
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2012

What a great school this has been for both my children. The new Principal, Dr Hollenbeck, has made an enormous improvement with the enthusiasm for learning from the students. With the superhero capes she sews for achieving reading goals, and the welcoming staff and teachers, I am so pleased with this school. We live where we could attend Steele or Taylor, and I wouldn't change schools for anything.