Palmer Elementary School

995 Grape Street

School District

Denver County 1
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
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 November 29, 2024

My son entered second grade in this school, we still can not believe or understand the decision to close it, it is by far the best school in denver, a warmth of both teachers and students, we came from a school in which my son suffered from bullying instead in this place he feels absolutely at home. In addition, academically it is far superior to many of the schools in Denver.In some way, I feel the need to express the frustration that such an unfair decision gives us with a largely brilliant work.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2024

This is by far the best elementary school in Colorado. I choice into this school and make the drive because it has been nothing short of amazing for my kids. We love it here and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. The teachers and staff are all amazing and really genuinely care for their students and their families as well. It is a very personable school with so much to offer.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2024

Our child has been Palmer since ECE 3 and morning 4th grade. We absolutely love Palmer as a family and believe it’s the best elementary school in Denver!!
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2024

We have been at Palmer since Kindergarten and my oldest is now in 3rd grade. It has been an amazing experience. The community is like nothing I have ever experienced. Everyone is looking out for each other and kids really support each other. Both of my children have had great teachers who truly care about the kids - it is so much more than a job for them. I am so grateful for this school!!
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2024

Community is amazing. Love the teachers! Super dedicated to the students.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2024

We are a long-time Palmer family, with three kids who have gone there (and two there now). We love the small school with strong community feel. Our kids love that they know and interact with all of the teachers in all of the grades either through encounters during the day, or after-school enrichments led by the teachers. They have a strong arts and music program, and the music teacher is wonderful (and plays at all the school events). The PTA is strong and inclusive, and the student body is diverse, giving kids exposure to people from all walks of life.Many of the classes are small, but the few that are larger get extra support from the great paraprofessionals who are hired on. There is also additional reading and academic support for kids who are falling behind, in addition to a dedicated gifted and talented teacher who creates extra lessons for students who want more academically.Many of the kids are local and in the neighborhood, and it's not uncommon to see them playing in the neighborhood after school and on the weekends.The after-school program is run by the YMCA, and my second grader insists on going rather than walking home at 3 PM. In addition to the after-school program, there are always enrichments offered after school, including classes like Chess, muraling, and soccer. We love Palmer and are really happy we sent our kids there.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2024

This school is a wonderful neighborhood gem. The small school environment is perfect for my kiddo.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2024

My daughter Lila has been incredibly happy here. She is learning well and it’s been such an amazing community.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2022

Palmer has provided an exceptional experience for my daughter. All of her teachers have been fantastic and provided a stimulating, fun, inclusive learning environment. She's made great friends from all backgrounds and walks of life. We love the small school experience and the fact that every child receives individualized attention. The YMCA after-school program is great and easy to get into—no wait list or shuttling kids off-site! We also like that the bell time is later than many schools! We're lucky to have such a wonderful school right in our own neighborhood.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2022

I'll admit--when my daughter was nearing entry to Kindergarten in the Fall of 2021, Palmer Elementary--our neighborhood school, a half-block from our house-- was not my first choice.What I've come to learn since then, however, was how wrong I was. First impressions can be deceiving, and my snap judgement about Palmer was an example of this case in point.After visiting multiple (much larger) nearby elementary schools and hearing from other families who attend those, I've realized how unique and special Palmer is. What we lack in size, our school makes up for in community, heart, and a shared sense of purpose.Is Palmer perfect? Not by a long shot. Is the school, parent community, and talented teaching team committed to ensuring that every child who walks through our doors gets the opportunity they deserve? Without a doubt.Especially as our country remains so divisive, having a place like Palmer--where our kids can feel a sense of belonging and be psychologically safe--is so critical to our collective healing. This is where smaller schools like Palmer shine--creating more opportunities for young people to be known, both by one another and by the adults in the building. In short, these are the ingredients you need if you want to cultivate high-achieving, high-performing schools. Palmer has all of these aspects and has only begun to hit our stride.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2022

We really enjoyed Palmer pre-pandemic, and have made a great many friends here. However, we faced a multitude of issues trying to go back this year - lack of access to resources, dismissive staff, difficulties in communication, no extracurricular activities (music, checking books out, etc.). The before and after school care cannot accommodate all of the families that need it. There is no air conditioning in the school, which is a big deal on 100 degree days - and our student was refused access to his backpack and water bottle during this time. Parents are not allowed in the school and I suspect there is no cleaning staff - my child reported overflowing trash cans as the reason he came home with his lunch box full of trash. He was also made to clean his classroom on the first day back to school. Teachers have a high turnover rate. They seem quite unhappy and reluctant to help; it is no longer the warm place we once loved. The classroom ratio is definitely higher than 15 to 1. My son was in a combined 3rd and 4th grade class of nearly 40. The principal was not interested in addressing any of our concerns with tangible solutions. We placed our son elsewhere and were shocked at the immediate and positive difference we experienced. He went from hating school (fear of being yelled at and called out in front of the class) to a happy, excited student ready to learn.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2022

My child was bullied on multiple occasions across two different school years and the new principal did nothing despite many efforts on our part. It seems like there is no support for staff from the top down. Parents aren’t allowed in the building at all, which I think is weird. Our family has been at Palmer for the past 5 years and since the new staffing appointments things have gone downhill. We will not be returning to Palmer after this school year.
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2020

Palmer is great. Just a wonderful neighborhood and community feel.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2017

I love Palmer Elementary School. I choiced my daughter into this school four years ago, and I couldn’t be more pleased. The school is one-to-one with technology, and these days being fluent with technology is vital to success. The class sizes are small. The teachers are caring and responsive. Also, Palmer offers a personalized education. They flexibly group students so that every student receives what they need to be successful. My daughter is identified G.T., and the teachers at Palmer continually find creative ways to challenge her. I would definitely recommend this school to other parents.
Submitted by other on December 15, 2016

It's a great averment and great people
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2016

Palmer is our neighborhood school, but I'm opting for another school next year for my children. The teacher turnover rate is very high, and even more disturbing is the fact that teachers are leaving in the middle of the year. This happened to both of my kids! My son did OK when his teacher left, but the transition was really difficult for my daughter. The principal is not honest with families about what's happening at the school, so we all feel left in the dark.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2015

I havey 5 year old son in rolled in mis Hansen's kindergarten class. She is said to be a good teacher.....I wouldn't know though, she has not been there sence the first week! I get that women have babies but the preparation taken for this was very poor! For the first three weeks she was gone there was a flow of sub after sub basically babysitting our kids! Then there was a sub said to be there until mis Hansen could return......that lasted a few days and back to the drawing board! A few subs later we got Mis Maya, she was great and did stay through the remainder of mis Hansen's maturity leave. My son has had below average behavior through this confusing and completely inconsistent time! The entire class with I think 2 or 3 accepting tested below average........just not ok! I will be switching schools and unfortunately my child will have to catch up!
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2015

We love Palmer. It's a wonderful, involved, diverse community. The teachers go above and beyond, the PTA is extremely involved. Great school!
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2014

I love Palmer. Great teachers and a new Principal are moving this school forward in a very positive way! New computers! Great community of parents making things happen educational and culturally. Our school is growing in many ways.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2013

My son just started at Palmer in Kindergarten this year. The school felt solid to me, but not exciting and had been our second choice. Now I am so glad we came here. Palmer got a new principal over the summer and she is great - very knowledgeable, approachable and involved. Palmer has had steady growth in test scores over the past years, and is now set to build on that foundation to become a really good, innovative and dynamic school.