Cottonwood Elementary School

9950 Rees Loop

School District

Vail Unified District
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

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 August 17, 2022

Our third-grader has been at Cottonwood for her whole school experience and we could not be happier. The teachers are wonderful and really connect with the kids one-on-one and her education there has been stellar. There are classes available for more advanced kids, and also programs to assist other kids that may need extra help. I appreciate the atmosphere of kindness and acceptance on the campus, and the emphasis on creating a caring school community. The staff and principal are responsive and wonderful, we are so happy to have our child at this school and in this district. I highly recommend Cottonwood Elementary in VUSD!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2022

I absolutely love this school! The class sizes are generally smaller than average which allows the teachers time to focus more on their students. They have specials the kids get to go to for art, computers, music, PE, and STEM. The teachers work collaboratively to improve our kids learning opportunities. There are a ton of events throughout the year and so many ways for parents to get involved. Everyone is so friendly and genuinely cares for the kids. My son comes home everyday excited to tell me about what he learned and he knows exactly what's happening the next day... he's in first grade! We started at the preschool, in kindergarten my son excelled at learning to read and a month into first grade he's enjoying learning multiplication! My mind is blown. I feel so lucky to have found this district and this school in particular!
Submitted by teacher on August 16, 2022

Cottonwood Elementary is an amazing school! Every staff member purposely interacts with ALL students. The positive school culture is evident as soon as you step on the beautifully designed/painted campus. The planning to integrate all grades is done seamlessly every quarter when students are mixed together to go to a new classroom for a project with a teacher outside of their own. Students are recognized daily with a "Comet Card" when they Lead, Act, and Use their Voice. Random Comet Card's are pulled out of a box every morning where students are then able to get a fun surprise from the Tower of Power in the front office. In addition, students are recognized for extra-curricular activities on the announcements. Cottonwood Elementary is a student-first school with passionate staff and students!
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2016

Wonderful staff and atmosphere. I love all the teachers and their passion for their profession. The school has numerous activities throughout the school year that gives you that feeling of closeness with the community.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

I love this school! My son has been given opportunities he did not have at his previous school- advanced math, music performances, just to name a few. There is a nice sense of community- school carnival, Mc Teacher Night, supporting families in need. Teachers are always going above and beyond in communicating progress and are always available. The principal is approachable and quick to respond to questions and concerns. The office staff is warm and inviting. This school is rated Excelling and received an A+ because of all the hard work and dedication of the leadership and staff. Thank you Cottonwood!
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2014

This school has gone downhill in the last couple of years. Great teachers have been leaving in droves, special ed teachers seem to leave all the teaching to the underpaid parapros to the detriment of the other kids in the class. There is no longer an art program. Real shame as this was a great school when we first started here.
Submitted by teacher on July 31, 2013

Cottonwood is a good school for regular education students. The inclusion program is lacking because the special education teachers expect the parapros to find printed resources for each f their students. Special education teachers do not work with these children Directly. Instead they expect the regular Ed classroom teacher and the parapro to modify all lessons. LD teacher during 2012-2013 did not spend the required IEP time teaching students as she had many many excuses.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2011

The teachers and staff are all amazing and the entire community values the education system.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2011

I love the teachers, the atmosphere, the values daily presented by this school! We've attended many schools (as a military family) and this one has been the best public school we've attended.