Dunn Elementary School

501 South Washington Avenue

School District

Poudre R-1
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Poudre R-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 23, 2025

I cannot say enough good things about our time at Dunn Elementary. The staff is INCREDIBLE, the learning environment is very supportive and there is a lot of diversity thanks to the proximity to the university. Both of my kids have gone through their elementary years at Dunn and I feel they are very prepared for their future and on going education. 10/10 recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2025

We started at a neighborhood school that was quite far from Dunn, and we kept hearing amazing things about the school from friends. We moved our son in 2nd grade and have now sent three children to this school. As a teacher, I am very particular about my children's education, and this is genuinely the best elementary school I have experienced. I was seeking a school that fosters an excitement for learning, has a lot of diversity (racial, economic, ability, etc.) that reflects the real world, and that differentiates to challenge all of the learners in the classroom. Dunn does all of these things. The principal and vice principal are so passionate about their jobs and know all of the children by name. The teachers treat my children as if they were their own. There's an overarching school emphasis of "belonging," and every child is treated as if they were special and important. They have over a dozen after-school activities and offer so many opportunities to get kids excited about learning. Further, there are many evening events like the international film festival, unity night, the school carnival, etc. This school is incredibly special, and the families are such a tight-knit community.
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2025

I am a parent of two kids who have attended Dunn - kindergarten through 5th grade. I cannot speak more highly about the teachers, administrators, and support services here. I have trusted this school implicitly with my kids’ emotional and physical safety throughout the years, including during the COVID shutdown. It is an incredibly supportive and caring community, of which I feel so lucky to have been a part of.
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2025

Dunn Elementary is an absolutely wonderful school. Both my kids attended K-5 there and our family can’t say enough positive things-we are so lucky we got in as it’s a highly sought after school. We loved the IB curriculum-it’s one of the things that makes Dunn so special. They don’t just teach about IB, they live it. Dunn’s location in Fort Collins sets it up for all sorts of one-of-a-kind experiences: 27 languages are spoken in the homes of Dunn families making it a truly international and culturally rich experience. My daughter’s best friend is from Sweden and my son’s best friend is from India! Being next to Colorado State University creates unique opportunities for field trips and hands on exploration. Dunn has some of the most seasoned teachers meaning people come to work at Dunn and they don’t want to leave the Dunn family. Dunn’s principal truly loves her job and that’s evident through the small details and personal attention she gives every student and family-not a day goes by where you don’t see her outside greeting families before and after school or inviting families into the building to recognize individual students achieving IB traits and celebrating the variety of worldwide cultures at Dunn. We are so grateful our kids were Dunn Dolphins in their foundation formative elementary years.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2024

I grew up in Fort Collins and have many positive things to say about the Poudre School District as a whole. However, even as an elementary-age kid I was aware of Dunn's excellent reputation. Nearly 30 years later, my husband and I returned to Fort Collins to start a family and were thrilled when our daughter's school of choice application was accepted. She became a proud Dunn Dolphin and we have been thrilled with the school and its community. For a city (and a region) with very little diversity, it's notable that nearly a quarter of the student body is non-White and 50+ students were born outside the US. Thanks to its proximity to CSU, the children of international professors have a great outlet in Dunn. This shared home also engenders a community of inclusivity, rather than the isolation of being "token" representatives of their home countries. Dunn strives to be equitable, diverse, and inclusive, and the entire student body benefits from this multicultural mix.For generations, Dunn has maintained the stellar reputation I picked up on as a child. It continues to be a thriving school with full enrollment, a multicultural student population, dedicated leadership, an abundance of extracurricular opportunities, and a uniquely inclusive support system for autistic and international students. The number of students who actively choice-in to Dunn is three times the average rate for PSD. I can say from personal experience that the school's excellent reputation is deserved. Dunn is beloved by students and parents alike, and with good reason.On a personal note, I love seeing the "bike parade" of kids and parents flocking to Dunn every morning from the surrounding neighborhoods. I cried on the last day of Kindergarten because my daughter's first year -- and her incredibly passionate teacher -- had been so impactful. I also feel incredibly lucky that my daughter has Japanese Club, Fleet Feet running club, Wild Roots art enrichment (and nearly a dozen other after-school opportunities) right at her fingertips. This is a great age to try everything -- and to be exposed to diverse ways of thinking. Overall, Dunn provides an environment in which kids can feel supported, challenge themselves, and thrive.We love Dunn and we aren't alone.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2017

We are starting 3rd grade at Dunn and have been completely impressed with their balanced approach to teaching. The teachers here have instilled a love of learning in our child and continue to nurture her curiosity and unique attributes.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2017

Great school for my son to attend!
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2016

Dunn is a great school with very special teachers that go above and beyond for their students
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2014

Lots of ethnic diversity, considering FoCo is 93% Caucasian. The Principal is attentive, responsive, and cares very much for the students. We've only had experience with one teacher so far, and we've had a good results. Tons of parental involvement, which is a great thing.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2010

To say Dunn has very little ethnic and socioeconomic diversity is clearly a misrepresentation by an a parent who is angry about the closing of Moore. Dunn has students from close to forty different countries and while there are some very affluent students, there is greater socioeconomic diversity than in most of the elementary schools in Fort Collins. Dunn is certainly not without its flaws, but overall, it is an outstanding environment for children to learn and grow.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2010

Dunn is a great school for children who fit in, but doesn't cultivate an environment that celebrates difference (diversity, yes, but not difference).
Submitted by student on September 15, 2007

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