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Very Good

#570 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 31% in state

Dolores Middle School

Middle School · Dolores School District No. Re-4A

PO BOX 727, Dolores, CO 81323

Enrollment

172

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dolores

#1 of 4

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#68 of 276

In district

#1 of 4

Dolores School District No. Re-4A

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Dolores Middle School

Dolores Middle School is a regular public school located in Dolores, Colorado, in the rural Montezuma County. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 172 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, Dolores Middle School offers a close-knit community where educators can give individual attention to each student.

The academic performance at Dolores Middle School places it in the 48th percentile among Colorado schools, ranking 962 out of 1831 schools statewide. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 5.3/10, with an Academic Score of 4.6/10. In reading and math proficiency tests, 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 24% are proficient or above in Math.

These scores suggest that while the school has room for improvement, it is focusing on student development and growth. Dolores Middle School is situated in a rural setting, offering students a peaceful environment away from urban distractions. The close-knit community provides a supportive atmosphere where students can thrive both academically and personally.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 172 students, Dolores Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Dolores Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.8%
Math vs. State Avg-11.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.1 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,920

Dolores Middle School — Students at Dolores Middle School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.6%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 35.5%
School
State
46.0%

Based on 9 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2022
Math
22%
2025
Math
24%
ELA
35.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Dolores Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in CO
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO BOX 727, Dolores, CO 81323

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dolores Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Montezuma-Cortez Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Cortez), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mancos Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Mancos), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dolores, see our Dolores schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Dolores High School Dolores 0.0 mi 5.3
Dolores Elementary School Dolores 0.0 mi 5.9
Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores 0.2 mi 5.4
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortez 7.5 mi 5.9
Southwest Open Charter School Cortez 9.1 mi 7.2
Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez 9.4 mi 7.6
Montezuma-Cortez High School Cortez 9.8 mi 5.6
Kemper Elementary School Cortez 9.7 mi 5.0
Beech Street Preschool Cortez 9.8 mi 5.0
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez 10.4 mi 6.0
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez 9.0 mi 9.0
CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cortez 10.6 mi
Mesa Elementary School Cortez 10.9 mi 4.1
Mancos Middle School Mancos 14.3 mi 5.5
Mancos High School Mancos 14.3 mi 4.4
Mancos Elementary School Mancos 14.3 mi 6.6
Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos 14.4 mi 5.2
Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View 17.0 mi 4.2
Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac 23.1 mi 4.7
Battle Rock Charter School Cortez 21.3 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81323 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,864

Median Home Value

$338,900

Median Rent

$1,041/mo

Population

5,193

College Educated

33.2%

Homeownership

75%

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

47

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dolores Middle School has a median household income of $69,864. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $338,900, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Buena Vista Middle School Buena Vista, CO 7.3
Rocky Mountain Prep Sunnyside Denver, CO 7.3
Village Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 7.3
Colorado Skies Academy Denver, CO 7.1
Yuma Middle School Yuma, CO 7.1
North Valley Middle School Gilcrest, CO 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dolores Middle School

What grades does Dolores Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Dolores Middle School?

Dolores Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 172 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Dolores Middle School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dolores Middle School rank in CO?

Dolores Middle School is ranked #570 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Dolores Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dolores Middle School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Dolores Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dolores Middle School has 23.6% math proficiency and 35.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dolores Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Dolores Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

50.0% of students at Dolores 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (496/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
172
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Montezuma County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dolores School District No. Re-4A
District Enrollment
680
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,201
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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