Best Middle Schools in Colorado (2025-26)

A: 20B: 43C: 54D: 97F: 40

25% of the 254 ranked middle schools in Colorado earn an A or B (20 A grades, 43 B, 54 C, 97 D, 40 F), against 47% of middle schools nationwide. 167 schools meet or beat the proficiency projected from their student context (66% here, 71% nationally), and 77 exceed it. On average 29% of tested students meet the state bar against a projected 29% (national averages: 39% actual, 38% projected).

The biggest overperformers, by actual proficiency above projection: The Connect Charter School (70% against 24%, A+), Englewood Leadership Academy (78% against 33%, A+), Mcauliffe International School (67% against 38%, A), Crest Academy (75% against 47%, A+), Summit Middle Charter School (80% against 53%, A+).

Districts with the most schools in the top quarter (the top 64): Jefferson County School District No. R-1 (10), Boulder Valley School District No. Re2 (6), Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an (6), School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C (5).

Cities with the most ranked middle schools: Denver (29, 5 at A or B), Colorado Springs (25, 8 at A or B), Aurora (15, 1 at A or B), Littleton (9, 7 at A or B), Fort Collins (7, 4 at A or B).

The largest ranked middle schools: Mcauliffe International School (1,487 students, A, #6), Prairie Middle School (1,383 students, F, #218), Campus Middle School (1,331 students, A, #8).

Of the top 25, 0 are magnet schools and 2 are charters. Selective and specialised schools tend to post high actual scores; the projection column is the fairer comparison for a neighborhood school.

What is the best middle school in Colorado?

Summit Middle Charter School in Boulder ranks first among the 254 ranked middle schools in Colorado with a SchoolGrade of A+, 80% of tested students meeting the state bar against a projected 53%.

How are middle schools in Colorado ranked?

By SchoolGrade, the 2025-26 model that scores each school's actual test proficiency against the level projected for its student context, then by actual proficiency to break ties. Regular public schools that are open, not fully online and have at least 30 students are ranked; the rest are listed below the table with the reason.

How many middle schools does Colorado have?

SchoolGrade grades 278 public middle schools in Colorado; 254 are ranked here and 24 are listed as not ranked.