Explorer Elementary School

Posted: May 4, 2026

Explorer elementary has declined over the years in providing a good learning environment for their students to grow and excel. The teacher turn over is very high and has occurred several time during the school year causing students to not have proper instruction and causing them to fall behind in learning the grade level material. It has become a very mediocre school with no growth for its students as seen in their testing scores. The administration falls shorts in many areas in caring for students, and helping them excel. The administration also does not provide great parental support when concerns are brought to their attention. There are far better district 20 schools to enroll your child if you are looking for a school.

Posted: May 4, 2026

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Posted: April 27, 2021

My son was bullied multiple times and the school tried to blame him for instigating the situation. There minority populations SUCKS I’ve only seen about 3 black families. The crossing guards DO NOT do there job, always talking to families or allowing vehicles to run stop signs. There fundraising also sucks, they chose to make people donate money to a mediocre APEX physical challenge and the highest amount raised was $300. I asked if they sell cookies or chocolate and the answer was NO. Are you serious? Who wants to donate money for a kid to run around and win a ball for $70?!? To add 2 other schools shut down in the area @10am due to a safety issue and they didn’t notify us until 3pm that the school was on a lock out! But if you don’t mind all of these issues, or care about racial equality then this school is meant for you!

Posted: April 27, 2021

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Posted: January 14, 2021

The school has been amazing for both of my children! Diligent and caring teachers.

Posted: January 14, 2021

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Posted: March 10, 2019

Lower grades have homework, 3rd grade is intense, 4-5 grade little homework

Posted: March 10, 2019

Teachers at this school are very compassionate and appear to love working with their students, teachers teach the whole child and not simply to a test

Posted: March 10, 2019

Students overall show integrity and compassionate especially with students with a disability.

Posted: March 10, 2019

The principal is not connected to students or staff, AP is amazing with students but lacks control over staff

Posted: March 10, 2019

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Posted: March 10, 2019

My child loves going to this school. The school has great teachers and low turnover rate, even new teachers are great and highly involved with their students, parents are also very involved in the school and it shows.

Posted: December 21, 2018

I agree to a point, but some kids can't be changed due to household issues. I don't think it's the schools responsibility or accountability to have well behaved students. The school never needed to teach my child respect and compassion.

Posted: December 21, 2018

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Posted: December 21, 2018

Not much of an issue at this school.

Posted: December 21, 2018

This is a great school and they are now rated in the top 10% of elementary schools in Colorado (John Irwin Award Winner). This award takes into account attendance, behavior incidences and academic performance. They are clearly on the upward path.

Posted: December 21, 2018

The school encourages parent student learning opportunities. Parents are more engaged in the education path of their child.

Posted: December 21, 2018

My childs test scores are rapidly improving and we are seeing the results at home.

Posted: April 13, 2018

Posted: April 13, 2018

Posted: April 13, 2018

How can you teach respect to the children when the administration does not have any respect for them?!!

Posted: April 13, 2018

I have a child with anxiety needs. The principal at this school acts like she has never had a child at the school with anxiety that may lead to behavioral issues.
She bullies my child. I have another child who gets great grades and is never in any trouble. One day a situation occurred between him and another student. She would not listen to my son who turned out to be in the right. A teacher allowed my son to be bullied and the principal did nothing. I truly believe it is because of my other child who does struggle.
This principal cares only for who she wishes to. She even told my son to confess to something or he would be in more trouble. This is not okay.
The teachers and other parents contantly voice their concerns about this principal and nothing happens. I thought principals of school were supposed to actually care about their students. This one does not.

Posted: April 13, 2018

The administration at this school feels all kids should learn the same way. The principal does not care as long as she isn't bothered.
It is sad that I am looking to take my kids out of the school away from teachers and friend they have made and love, all because a principal can't be bothered to get to know anyone at her school. She allows her biases to affect the children and their education.

Posted: April 13, 2018

Bullying is only stopped on who they see fit it should stop on.

Posted: April 13, 2018

We are looking to move our kids out of this school. When we first started the principal was amazing. Then she was primates. Now there is a principal who does not care about her students. This principal only cares about policy not the student. She is very disconnected and does not care.

Posted: October 21, 2017

Good school. The principal keeps things in line without being overbearing. Good teachers. Parents that care. Lots of parents walk the kids to school. So, it feels like a community because you get to know everyone.

Posted: October 21, 2017

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Posted: March 10, 2017

My son was in diapers while at this school, due to medical conditions and disabilities. He was allowed to sit in a dirty diaper for hours by his classroom teacher. The smell would be overwhelming when you entered the classroom, but the school tried to deny knowledge of the problem. All they had to do was call support staff to change him. The classroom teacher (who has since retired) was unkind to my son in other ways, but it takes a monster to force a child to sit in their own filth for hours. I really don't think it's possible that nobody else knew this was a problem. Then again, I always felt like the administration had their head buried in the sand.

Posted: March 10, 2017

Run away. If you love your kids, choice them into another school. My son went to Explorer for kindergarten and first grade. His kindergarten teacher was awful and needed to retire 10 years ago. The administration claimed to not know the bullying this teacher was doing to my child, but I don't believe that. I brought the problems to their attention and they still did nothing. I knew there was a problem when he would cry if I showed up at school during the day. I found out after leaving this school that he was being bullied by other students, in front of his para and teacher. I don't understand how any adult can stand by and watch a child being mistreated, by teachers and students alike. The administration is worthless, they don't take action when there is a problem. Love your kids, pick another school!!! If I could them 0 stars, I would...

Posted: March 10, 2017

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Posted: July 18, 2015

Our experience was a principal who was disconnected, and a new teacher who should have been fired. The teacher refused to let my 4th grader use the restroom. We found out that he was packing an extra change of clothes. By the time we pulled him out of that school mid year, she was writing us a negative note home every day. The first time the principal talked to us was when she was signing the paperwork for him to go to another school. They were not willing to give him another teacher. The school counselor was also contacted regarding the issues and did nothing. I could never recommend this school for any child!

Posted: April 5, 2015

This is a wonderful cozy neighborhood school, with active parents, teachers and admin. The current principle has been promoted to a district job but the selection is underway with parent participation in the selection process. Explorer is a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) school. It has a new technology center, interactive library with student touch screen work center. Explorer also excels in reading with test scores among the highest in the state, in fact one of the other local school districts sent reps to learn from our reading program. There are many after school activities for children to be involved in, Landshark's running club, both cub scouts and girl scouts. It's a great school and we will really miss it when we move.

Posted: January 26, 2015

Run!! D20 doesn't mean every school is great. The admin does nothing about bullies. They do not listen to parent concerns. The only first grade teacher worth keeping in education is brand new! Overinflated egos that discount academic concerns of parents. We choiced into a far better school at all of the concerns we had were flagged as areas that needed improvement by the new teacher at the new school without parental involvement. What a concept... A school helping a child! You won't find that at Explorer. If you try they attack you for hurting thief feelings. Beyond ridiculous. Sorry excuse for a school and administration. The same teacher had numerous kids leave the school & request a new teacher yet she's consider a "good teacher." Standards admin placed based on friendship not abilities so the children suffer. Sad & sickening.

Posted: April 11, 2014

I love having my kids at Explorer. It's a neighborhood school with 3 classes at each grade level and a preschool. There are no busses, so most kids walk or ride bikes in warm weather. The principal is amazing - very positive and professional. I've never heard her say a bad word about anyone. She and the asst. principal get along really well, love to have fun, and do things to get to know the kids like being on recess duty or having lunch with a few kids each week until they meet them all. The staff is very welcoming. Many of them have a lot of experience. They also have fresh faces, though, so it's a good mix. There is a very strong TAG program that supports kids at all grades, not just those in 3rd-5th who have been formally identified as talented and gifted. They also have a good special ed program and RtI for kids who are struggling. The staff seems to treat kids like they are all theirs and there is great collaboration and teamwork. The P.E. teacher offers free intramurals and there are lots of clubs and activities, too. The PTA is amazing. They offer several free family events in addition to fundraisers and are very supportive of the staff.

Posted: January 21, 2014

This is our first year at this school and I am so happy with our decision. They provide individual plans for your child, whether they need a little extra help or are advanced. The teachers provide great communication. We couldn't be happier. I am only upset with GreatSchools Rating...growth, seriously? Look at the actual test results if you want to see the real value of this school!

Posted: January 15, 2014

When we moved to the area, we chose Explorer as a school for our children based on current reviews at the time, and a very nice tour of the school. After two months, however, we found that our students' needs were not being addressed, the counselors were offering sub-par help for our child in need, and the teachers were slow to make changes for our advanced girls. When the students are tested in week 1 for placement, it should not take more than an entire quarter to finally test them further for Talented and Gifted. My 4th grader spent 10 weeks learning nothing in Math, for example. She also tested well above grade level for reading and language, and yet even at the quarter's end, the teachers were still not placing her in a better class for her ability. We feel that we lost all that time on their learning, with not much hope for improvement. When it came time to transfer out (which we did), none of the teachers, the counselors, the assistant principal or principal took the time to ask "Why?". I found that shocking. What administration wouldn't want to know why they were losing students? They didn't seem to care at all.

Posted: December 9, 2013

I love this school! My son is in his second year and is thriving. All his teacher's have been outstanding and the principal and staff committed, engaged and caring. I can't say enough good things about this school. There is also a lot of parent participation.

Posted: May 28, 2013

I think that the school has enjoyed riding the coattails of a great reputation for quite some time. I don't feel confident in all staff changing fluidly with best practices. I have often seen teachers with minimal patience for wiggly, energetic children. Whatever happened to teaching to the different learning styles? How about some kinesthetic choices or more breaks. If your child is an "in the box" kid then you're in luck here. I find the class switching of 5th grade ineffective. I also do not like my kids watching movies on Fri. Movies are not for school time. I do like the integration of kids with special needs into the classrooms. That's awesome. The principals are fun and sweet. Explorer needs to really examine the ways in which they differentiate for ALL kids, and I don't mean reading groups. I mean for all those kids & families who don't fit the mold. Look at the CDE growth model. The population is becoming more diverse and I don't know if Explorer is ready yet. Summed up: "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be. Wayne Gretzky

Posted: April 29, 2013

Explorer Elementary is a fantastic school for many reasons but one of my favorites is the fact they reach a huge diversity in students. I love the fact that they integrate those with physical disabilities with the other students so that children learnhow to reach out and care and be sensitive to those around them. They have the students best interests at heart and they work very much like a family should. I love the inter-action with the students and Mre. Lang as she desires to get to know the children. It is a great school to model after.

Posted: February 10, 2013

RUN! This school has a lot of work to be done before it should be even a consideration. Never saw the principal until the day I filed for a transfer. The fourth and fifth grades are going through restructuring with teacher teams, and your child is the guinea pig. The teacher my child was assigned was AWFUL! He was bringing an extra change of clothes to school because she was not letting him use the restroom. After we dealt with that, she continued to pick at him for things that were not important to the point he was unable to learn with her. The assisant principal is the only saving grace for this school, but she is not in your child's classroom all the time. All I can say is RUN and don't look back!!!

Posted: September 5, 2011

We" choiced" into Explorer from our "home" school in d-20. WOW!!! This school is made of dreams. From students to teachers, to specials, to admin to the PTA, everyone.....I mean everyone is behind my child's happiness & success. They are right on top of their education. The people who make up Explorer are very proud of being there & actually love being with the students. A++++ school. Mrs. Lang is a wonderful leader & partner at this school. Way to go Mrs. Lang, teachers, staff, admin & parents at Explorer!

Posted: May 2, 2011

I have been very pleased with Explorer. I have a child with an IEP who gets one-on-one time in the special ed program and has a "para" (teacher's assistant) to help in the mainstream classroom. Explorer is among a handful of schools with a "SSN" (special student needs) program. I also have a child who has been identified for gifted and talented as well, so I am familiar with both extreme. The administration seems very engaged - they are at virtually every special event I attend. PTA is active. I would recommend this school.

Posted: November 20, 2010

Explorer is an amazing school! I actually interviewed 15 schools before narrowing it down to Explorer and one other school. I have LOVED this school. The teachers have been fabulous! They have quickly adjusted to my daughter's needs. They allow her to excel in the areas she is good in and have given her extra support in the areas that are a struggle. The parents are so involved and just great. So many parents put in an amazing amount of time and effort. This is SUCH a friendly school. I always feel at ease. After two years, I'm looking forward to the next three!

Posted: April 28, 2010

We choiced into this school from another fairly new D20 school. There is no comparison to the quality in education, parent involvement and morale among students in Explorer vs. my child's former school. She is challenged in the classroom, she feels safe, and she is being taught all subjects! The teachers are happy, I see tons of other parents involved and the principal, counselor and other support staff have helped make this a smooth midyear transition. Awesome school!