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Average

#1314 of 1,815 schools in CO

Columbia Middle School

Middle School · Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

17600 EAST COLUMBIA AVE, Aurora, CO 80013

Enrollment

653

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,314 of 1,815

In Aurora

#54 of 100

public schools

In district

#30 of 56

Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

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Columbia Middle School

5.0/10

Middle School in Aurora · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dalton Elementary School

5.7/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cimarron Elementary School

4.7/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Columbia Middle School

Columbia Middle School is a public middle school in Aurora, CO, part of Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A. Columbia Middle School serves approximately 653 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,314 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia Middle School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • CO avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

51% of students at Columbia Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.97 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.2% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,118
Chronic Absenteeism51.1%

Columbia Middle School — Students at Columbia Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.1% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 41.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.0% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
10%
2025
Math
18.3%
ELA
25.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.

How Columbia Middle School Compares

See how Columbia Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
28th percentile in CO
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

17600 EAST COLUMBIA AVE, Aurora, CO 80013

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Horizon Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mrachek Middle School (rated 3.9/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Dalton Elementary School Aurora 0.1 mi 5.7
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora 0.7 mi 4.7
PEACE WITH CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora 0.6 mi 6.7
Vassar Elementary School Aurora 0.7 mi 6.2
Meadowood Child Development Center Aurora 0.7 mi 3.1
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora 1.0 mi 4.2
Rangeview High School Aurora 1.1 mi 6.4
Dartmouth Elementary School Aurora 0.9 mi 6.6
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora 0.9 mi 3.8
Horizon Middle School Aurora 1.3 mi 5.0
Mrachek Middle School Aurora 1.4 mi 3.9
Summit Elementary School Aurora 1.4 mi 4.9
Yale Elementary School Aurora 1.2 mi 3.6
The Journey Preschool Aurora 1.6 mi 5.4
AL-MINHAAL ACADEMY COLORADO Aurora 1.4 mi 7.6
Mission Viejo Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 4.6
Side Creek Elementary School Aurora 1.6 mi 3.3
Sunrise Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 3.6
Iowa Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 4.7
Independence Elementary School Aurora 2.1 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,167

Median Home Value

$453,700

Median Rent

$1,978/mo

Population

74,732

College Educated

33.4%

Homeownership

76.7%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

36.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Blevins Middle School Fort Collins, CO 5.0
Horizon Middle School Aurora, CO 5.0
Mesa Middle School Castle Rock, CO 5.0
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez, CO 5.0
Summit Ridge Middle School Littleton, CO 5.0
Basalt Middle School Basalt, CO 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Middle School

What grades does Columbia Middle School serve?

Columbia Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Columbia Middle School?

Columbia Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 653 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Middle School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Middle School rank in CO?

Columbia Middle School ranks #1,314 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Columbia Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Columbia Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Middle School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Columbia Middle School a charter school?

No, Columbia Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Columbia Middle School a Title I school?

No, Columbia Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Middle School?

77.3% of students at Columbia Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
653
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Arapahoe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.1%

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