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Average

#929 of 1,815 schools in CO

Dsst: Cole Middle School

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

3240 HUMBOLDT STREET, Denver, CO 80205

Charter

Enrollment

268

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#119 of 222

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#123 of 276

In district

#112 of 196

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

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Dsst: Cole Middle School

DSST: Cole Middle School is a charter school located in Denver, Colorado. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 268 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. DSST: Cole Middle School operates as part of the regular public education system but follows a charter model.

The academic performance at DSST: Cole Middle School is currently in need of improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and state ranking of #1461 out of 1831 schools in Colorado (20th percentile). The school’s academic score is 1.9/10, with only 21% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 8% proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, DSST: Cole Middle School continues to focus on student development and community engagement within its urban setting.

Located in the heart of a large city, the school is part of an area that offers diverse resources and opportunities for students to engage with their surroundings beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Dsst: Cole Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Dsst: Cole 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 Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-27.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.9 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,336

Dsst: Cole Middle School — Students at Dsst: Cole Middle School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 7.6%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 20.9%
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
10%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
8%
2025
Math
8.2%
ELA
22%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Dsst: Cole Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in CO
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

3240 HUMBOLDT STREET, Denver, CO 80205

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dsst: Cole Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. French American School of Denver (rated 9.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Columbine Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF COLORADO (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
DSST: Cole High School Denver 0.0 mi 7.0
Cole Arts and Science Academy Denver 0.1 mi 6.8
ANNUNCIATION Denver 0.3 mi 5.5
Wyatt Academy Denver 0.3 mi 7.1
Manual High School Denver 0.4 mi 5.2
McAuliffe Manual Middle School Denver 0.4 mi 5.6
Gilliam School Denver 0.4 mi
Whittier ECE-8 School Denver 0.7 mi 5.6
INNER-CITY SCHOOL Denver 0.6 mi
International Academy of Denver at Harrington Denver 0.7 mi 4.8
Prep Academy Denver 0.7 mi 7.8
Columbine Elementary School Denver 0.7 mi 8.2
French American School of Denver Denver 0.9 mi 9.3
HOPE CENTER Denver 0.7 mi
MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF COLORADO Denver 0.9 mi 8.2
University Prep - Arapahoe St. Denver 1.0 mi 4.9
Polaris Elementary School Denver 1.1 mi 7.6
RiseUp Community School Denver 1.1 mi 6.2
Denver Center for 21st-Century Learning at Wyman Denver 1.4 mi 7.4
Bruce Randolph School Denver 1.1 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,770

Median Home Value

$627,600

Median Rent

$1,816/mo

Population

33,856

College Educated

61.3%

Homeownership

38%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dsst: Cole Middle School has a median household income of $98,770. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $627,600, with a median rent of $1,816/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Centauri Middle School La Jara, CO 6.3
Highland Middle School Ault, CO 6.3
Wiggins Elementary School Wiggins, CO 6.3
Cedaredge Middle School Cedaredge, CO 6.2
The Vanguard School (Middle) Colorado Springs, CO 6.2
Bear Valley International School Denver, CO 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dsst: Cole Middle School

What grades does Dsst: Cole Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Dsst: Cole Middle School?

Dsst: Cole Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 268 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Dsst: Cole Middle School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dsst: Cole Middle School rank in CO?

Dsst: Cole Middle School is ranked #929 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

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

Dsst: Cole Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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: Cole Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dsst: Cole Middle School has 7.6% math proficiency and 20.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dsst: Cole Middle School a charter school?

Yes, Dsst: Cole 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: Cole Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

91.4% of students at Dsst: Cole 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 (5,773/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
268
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.4%
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

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