Skip to main content

Very Good

#485 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 27% in state

Dsst: Cedar Middle School

Middle School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

150 S PEARL STREET, Denver, CO 80209

Charter

Enrollment

479

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#69 of 222

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#57 of 276

In district

#66 of 196

School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Dsst: Cedar Middle School

DSST: Cedar Middle School serves 479 students in grades 6-8 as a public charter school in Denver's thriving 80209 neighborhood. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #108 out of 1,831 schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile among Colorado schools.

With an academic score of 8.4 out of 10, DSST: Cedar shows particular strength in preparing middle school students for high school success. In mathematics, 48% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grade levels. Located at 150 S Pearl Street, the school sits in an affluent and highly educated community where the median household income reaches $106,880 and 80% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 7.4%, with median home values of $875,500, reflecting the area's desirability and stability. DSST: Cedar Middle School operates within Denver's dynamic urban environment, providing students access to the cultural and educational opportunities that come with big city living while serving a well-established, education-focused community.

What Parents Should Know

Dsst: Cedar Middle School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.2%
Math vs. State Avg+18.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.3 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected+27.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,336

Dsst: Cedar Middle School — Students at Dsst: Cedar Middle School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.5%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 70.2%
School
State
46.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
48%
2025
Math
54.6%
ELA
70.2%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Dsst: Cedar Middle School Compares

See how Dsst: Cedar Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in CO
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

150 S PEARL STREET, Denver, CO 80209

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dsst: Cedar Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Girls Athletic Leadership School Middle School (rated 8.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morey Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, West Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
DSST: Cedar High School Denver 0.0 mi 7.2
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF WASHINGTON PARK Denver 0.3 mi
Steele Elementary School Denver 0.5 mi 8.0
Lincoln Elementary School Denver 0.7 mi 8.2
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denver 0.9 mi 6.6
Denver Center for International Studies at Fairmon Denver 0.9 mi 8.5
Denver Justice High School Denver 1.1 mi 7.4
Contemporary Learning Academy Denver 1.2 mi 8.5
Dora Moore ECE-8 School Denver 1.2 mi 5.5
Denver Center for International Studies Denver 1.1 mi 5.9
McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School Denver 1.4 mi 8.5
ROCK SOLID CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver 1.1 mi 7.1
ROCK SOLID CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver 1.1 mi 5.8
Girls Athletic Leadership School Middle School Denver 1.3 mi 8.7
Girls Athletic Leadership School High School Denver 1.3 mi 7.8
Compassion Road Academy Denver 1.4 mi 6.0
West High School Denver 1.4 mi 4.7
West Middle School Denver 1.5 mi 5.4
Morey Middle School Denver 1.7 mi 8.4
Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design Denver 1.7 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,759

Median Home Value

$971,500

Median Rent

$1,981/mo

Population

26,794

College Educated

80.1%

Homeownership

48%

Avg Commute

23.1 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dsst: Cedar Middle School has a median household income of $118,759. It is a well-educated community where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $971,500, with a median rent of $1,981/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction, CO 7.4
Mountain Middle School Durango, CO 7.4
Orchard Mesa Middle School Grand Junction, CO 7.4
Centennial Middle School Boulder, CO 7.5
Louisville Middle School Louisville, CO 7.5
Escalante Middle School Durango, CO 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dsst: Cedar Middle School

What grades does Dsst: Cedar Middle School serve?

Dsst: Cedar Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Dsst: Cedar Middle School?

Dsst: Cedar Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 479 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dsst: Cedar Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dsst: Cedar Middle School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dsst: Cedar Middle School rank in CO?

Dsst: Cedar Middle School is ranked #485 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Dsst: Cedar Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dsst: Cedar Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Dsst: Cedar Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dsst: Cedar Middle School has 53.5% math proficiency and 70.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dsst: Cedar Middle School a charter school?

Yes, Dsst: Cedar Middle School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Dsst: Cedar Middle School a Title I school?

No, Dsst: Cedar Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dsst: Cedar Middle School?

53.4% of students at Dsst: Cedar 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
89 Very Walkable
Transit Score
54 Good Transit
Bike Score
93 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (5,773/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
479
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Denver 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.