Cory Elementary School

1550 South Steele Street

School District

Denver County 1
Grade

1-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Denver County 1 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 January 15, 2024

WARNING: DISCRIMINATION, SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND BULLY are the norms of this school, along with the indifferent and unprofessional leadership and teachers. My child has been going through all the three. There was even one discrimination teaching from a teacher with over 20 years teaching experience. The principle and vice principle didn't do anything to solve the three issues. They only pretended they cared. I've heard of similar problems from my kid's classmates. The indifferent and irresponsible leadership, teachers and staff are the main factor causing these horrible issues.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2023

Our kid had a wonderful Gr.1 and chose to stay at Cory for Gr.2 instead of going to a private school. This is a very well-funded school by generous parents and local businesses. The school had some struggles with last minute heat day cancellations but I think that will be better planned next year. Our kids attended after school Enrichment Class follow by Discovery Link regularly and loves going to school each day. Teachers are kind yet effective in teaching, communication, and embracing differences in learning styles. Kids are well equipped with latest tools and supplies. Lots fun events, field trips and community collaborations. Generally respectful families and kids that are active with extracurricular activities to keep busy and stay connected.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2022

Teachers use shaming as a tactic for discipline, and wonder why they don’t positive responses or results from the students. Sadly, this comes most often with the teachers with 20+ years of experience. It may have been acceptable 20 years ago, but not when we know so much more about child development and psychology. Wish the teachers would learn with the times as well.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2022

We cannot say enough wonderful things about this school and totally disagree with any negative comments. We have been at the school for almost 10 years with 3 children and have never heard of or seen bullying or inappropriate behavior. The parent community is extraordinarily involved and the teachers have been at the school for eons so they are engrained into the community and committed to the school. Due to parental involvement and a committed PTA, we are fortunate enough to have paras, full time music, art, and PE teachers, a beautiful school, amazing computer lab, instruments, and art supplies - which is not a guarantee with DPS. I feel so fortunate to give my kids the opportunities that they have at Cory. The school caters to all children of all educational levels - no one falls through the cracks. All three of my children have had all the support and been as challenged, as needed. The Principal is committed and responsive and clearly takes pride in the school and the community. We cannot recommend this school enough.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2021

This school is an absolute mess. The teachers belittle students, every day my kids come home having learned new inappropriate words, there’s unchecked sexual harassment happening from the 5th grade boys that gets brushed under the rug, and the leadership at this school is an absolute and total disgrace. No one even responds to emails! There is zero respect shown or cultivated between students with different views, lifestyles, or backgrounds. The bullying is out of control... Don’t send your kids to this school if you want to preserve one ounce of their confidence, integrity, or innocence.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2020

We love Cory! The academics are top notch and the teachers have been wonderful and warm. They have a terrific gardening program complete with chickens! The parent community / PTA is active and welcoming.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2019

Horrible experience at Cory! Every day it’s something new. Between my 3 older kids and 2 younger kids, this is our 6th elementary school we’ve attended and is hands down the most unprofessional staff, negative school culture, and money hungry place we have ever attended. The staff are rude to children with zero regard for their wellbeing and it’s an absolute popularity contest with the parents. The administration here favors those with money every time over the actual child. Test scores are king and nothing else seems to matter. Absolute joke of a school.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2019

We absolutely adore Cory. The level of parental involvement coupled with the teachers who care deeply about our children and their education make it an unparalleled public school option. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Cory.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2019

We'd rate Cory very well. We have options to have our child in either DPS or Cherry Creek and we will continue with Cory until the 5th grade. We are optimistic that the new principal will fix the things we have issues with, and we are in contact with her about them. Like any other school YOU the parents need to advocate for your kids. Participate, be active in the school so you know whats going on and don't leave your kids to be raised entirely by the school. If your kid is on either side of the curve (above or below) you need to be even more active and be sure they are getting what they need. To just drop your kid off and pick them up and give them lunch isn't enough to be successful. Be involved or don't complain when your kid fails.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2018

We were at this school for two plus years (from first to third) and couldn't get out of there fast enough. While the teachers my daughter had were wonderful, the culture was extremely negative. The prior principal was astoundingly unfriendly and was extremely unprofessional in handling bullying. (My child literally came home bloody but I was told that nothing happened and it was suggested that my child change their behavior while the bully was exonerated.) The parents were not friendly in the slightest. The environment was ENTIRELY geared towards test scores and the population was extremely homogeneous. We ran as quickly as we could to a Cherry Creek school with much more diversity, similar academics and a culture that fosters kindness, thoughtfulness and taking care of each other and your school. It was the worst possible introduction we could have had to Denver and I am ecstatic to have been able to move away from it quickly.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2018

We love Cory, great school, great teachers, great community. One of the best in Denver.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2017

Hands down the best school in Denver Public Schools! Exceptional teachers, incredible community and awesome kids! Also to the comment below, Jennifer Harris is no longer the principal.
Submitted by other on April 27, 2017

The Principal, Jennifer Harris ruins this school. The school has so much potential, yet she brings it down to below average due to her insincerity and lack of professionalism.
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2017

I too was nervous about a few of the negative reviews below, but have been thrilled with our experience at Cory! We have a first and second grader attending and both of their teachers are awesome. Not sure why there is some negativity about the new Principal--she is great. Our oldest child is in Highly Gifted and Talented and Cory is a great fit. Our youngest is not HGT and Cory is a great fit.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2016

About to start year 5 at Cory. Great school, good principal, and we have been impressed with each and every teacher. The homework and testing is very challenging. I am highly skeptical that all of these HGT kids had to leave because they are bored and not challenged by the curriculum. Guess I would have to see it to believe it. Like many others parents, I am not always a fan of some of the Core curriculum approaches to math, but that is hardly the school's fault.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2016

We’ve had a great experience at Cory. Initially, we were hesitant to send our child to a Denver public school based on a negative experience that we had with DPS. The support for different learning levels at Cory, as well as the teacher involvement and enthusiasm, has surpassed our expectations. We will send our next child here as well, and then both to a Charter or Private school for sixth grade and beyond.
Submitted by other on January 13, 2016

We moved to the area based on the school's rating. Though we were happy in the first two years, we are finding out it was because of the teachers and not the school or the Principal. I echo the sentiments of previous reviewers regarding bullying, lack of HGT focus (though it is a HGT magnet program) and the Principal's incompetency. Though we live a couple blocks from this school, we'll take our child to another school ASAP!
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2015

Buyer beware! While at one time this school was a legitimate HGT/GT magnate school, the new principal has totally changed everything. There is no advanced content- even in "challenge" math (not even available to 4th and 5th grade). Many of the best teachers are leaving and so are many very involved families. The new Principal is a poor leader, ask almost any parent whose kids still go there. She also speaks to the parents and students as if they are all in kindergarten. If you are in need of GT or HGT services for your child, go to Polaris or get out of DPS!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2014

My child has attended this school for the last 3 years. She has had an amazing experience. The teaching techniques incorporate several different learning styles and they keep the students engaged while learning. We have several neighbors who also have had amazing experiences here. We highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2014

My child was bullied mercilessly and the child who bullied him was given a very public award for basically adhering to the golden rule. What a joke and slap in the face at the same time. The principal is incompetent and throws out a lot of jargon to cover up her biases. We went to the school because of its rating and even though my child is gifted, we couldn't run away fast enough.