Best Middle Schools
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
We ranked the 28 middle schools in Colorado Springs with real test data. The top 25 scored between 3.9 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Colorado education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in Colorado Springs for 2026 are Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School (8.6/10), Discovery Canyon Campus Middle School (8.5/10), and The Vanguard School (middle) (8.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 28 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in Colorado Springs?
Every middle school in Colorado Springs is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School
Colorado Springs, CO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Discovery Canyon Campus Middle School
Colorado Springs, CO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
The Vanguard School (middle)
Colorado Springs, CO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Colorado Springs has 28 ranked middle schools, giving families a real range of options — and the data shows meaningful differences between them. North Middle School leads the metro with an 8.6/10 composite score, followed by The Classical Academy Middle School at 8.2 and Holmes Middle School at 8.1. The metro average sits at 6.1/10, so the gap between the strongest and mid-tier schools is substantial. Ten schools — 36% of the ranked pool — score 7 or above, a useful threshold if you're filtering for consistent academic performance. The table below lets you sort by overall score, individual performance categories, or school type to match what matters most to your family. Start with the top-line scores to narrow your list, then dig into the category breakdowns to find the school that fits your student's specific needs.
Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School
Discovery Canyon Campus Middle School
The Vanguard School (middle)
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Colorado Springs's Middle Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Colorado so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 28 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 in the county of E | 8.6 |
| 2 | Discovery Canyon Campus Middle School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 8.5 |
| 3 | The Vanguard School (middle) Charter Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 8.4 |
| 4 | Eagleview Middle School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.9 |
| 5 | The Classical Academy Middle School Charter Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.9 |
| 6 | Village Middle School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.8 |
| 7 | Chinook Trail Middle School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.6 |
| 8 | Atlas Preparatory Middle School Charter Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 7.2 |
| 9 | Challenger Middle School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 6.9 |
| 10 | Sproul Junior High School School District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of | 6.9 |
| 11 | North Middle School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 6.8 |
| 12 | James Irwin Charter Middle School Charter Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 6.7 |
| 13 | Timberview Middle School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 6.6 |
| 14 | Holmes Middle School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 6.6 |
| 15 | Sabin Middle School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 6.2 |
| 16 | Mountain Ridge Middle School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 6.1 |
| 17 | Russell Middle School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 5.6 |
| 18 | Jenkins Middle School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 5.6 |
| 19 | Watson Junior High School School District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of | 5.4 |
| 20 | Skyview Middle School El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 5.3 |
| 21 | Horizon Middle School El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 5.1 |
| 22 | West Middle School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 5.0 |
| 23 | Fox Meadow Middle School Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 4.4 |
| 24 | Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 4.2 |
| 25 | Mann Middle School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 3.9 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Colorado education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Colorado. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Middle Schools in Colorado Springs
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Colorado Springs's Top 10 Middle Schools
Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School
Discovery Canyon Campus Middle School
The Classical Academy Middle School
Atlas Preparatory Middle School
Choosing the Right Middle School in Colorado Springs
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Colorado Springs's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in Colorado, with 28 schools spanning 12 school districts, plus 4 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best middle school in Colorado Springs, Colorado?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School is the top-rated middle school in Colorado Springs with a composite score of 8.6/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many middle schools are in Colorado Springs, Colorado?
Colorado Springs has 28 middle schools, including 4 charter schools. Of these, 28 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Colorado Springs?
The average composite score for Colorado Springs middle schools is 6.0/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Colorado).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Colorado, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Colorado, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Colorado Springs middle school rankings?
Yes. Colorado Springs has 4 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.