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#999 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

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#45 of 100

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#136 of 276

In district

#24 of 56

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

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Columbia Middle School

Columbia Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Aurora, Colorado. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 653 students and employs 40 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10, Columbia Middle School offers dedicated support to help students achieve their academic goals.

The school's state ranking is at #1183 out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it around the 35th percentile. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 27% for ELA/Reading and 16% for Math across all grades. Columbia Middle School is situated within a large city environment, providing diverse opportunities and resources to its students as they navigate their middle school years.

The school focuses on fostering student development and growth in an urban setting that is rich with cultural experiences and community engagement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,319

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 15.9%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 26.6%
School
State
46.0%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
18%
ELA
32%
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: 6.0/10.

How Columbia Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in CO
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

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 5.5/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mrachek Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 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 7.7
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora 0.7 mi 5.2
PEACE WITH CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora 0.6 mi 6.7
Vassar Elementary School Aurora 0.7 mi 5.6
Meadowood Child Development Center Aurora 0.7 mi 4.8
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora 1.0 mi 4.2
Rangeview High School Aurora 1.1 mi 6.2
Dartmouth Elementary School Aurora 0.9 mi 6.6
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora 0.9 mi 5.5
Horizon Middle School Aurora 1.3 mi 5.5
Mrachek Middle School Aurora 1.4 mi 5.0
Summit Elementary School Aurora 1.4 mi 6.1
Yale Elementary School Aurora 1.2 mi 4.1
The Journey Preschool Aurora 1.6 mi 6.8
AL-MINHAAL ACADEMY COLORADO Aurora 1.4 mi 7.6
Mission Viejo Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 4.7
Side Creek Elementary School Aurora 1.6 mi 4.8
Sunrise Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 5.4
Iowa Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 5.3
Independence Elementary School Aurora 2.1 mi 7.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia Middle School has a median household income of $97,167. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $453,700, with a median rent of $1,978/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dunstan Middle School Lakewood, CO 6.1
Janitell Junior High School Fountain, CO 6.1
Rifle Middle School Rifle, CO 6.1
Vikan Middle School Brighton, CO 6.1
Carmody Middle School Lakewood, CO 6.0
Corwin International Magnet School Pueblo, CO 6.0

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 is ranked #999 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Columbia Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Columbia Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Middle School has 15.9% math proficiency and 26.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (4,074/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aurora). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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