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Average

#919 of 1,815 schools in CO

Highland Middle School

Middle School · Weld County School District No. Re-9

P O BOX 1390, Ault, CO 80610

Enrollment

237

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ault

#1 of 2

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#122 of 276

In district

#1 of 3

Weld County School District No. Re-9

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland Middle School

Highland Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Ault, Colorado, in the rural setting of Weld County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade with an enrollment of 237 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Highland Middle School aims to provide individualized attention to its students.

According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school has received a score of 4.4 out of 10, ranking it at #1219 out of 1831 schools in Colorado (34th percentile). In terms of academic performance, Highland Middle School shows that 24% of its students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 26% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to improve overall proficiency.

Highland Middle School is situated in a rural area, providing a close-knit community feel for both students and families. The surrounding environment offers a peaceful setting conducive to learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Highland 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.

Located in a rural area, Highland 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 Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.7Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.1%
Reading vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,570

Highland Middle School — Students at Highland Middle School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.3%
School
State
44.8%

Based on 7 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
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
27%
2025
ELA
25.1%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Highland Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in CO
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

P O BOX 1390, Ault, CO 80610

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Franklin Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Greeley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eaton Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Eaton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Severance Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Severance), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ault, see our Ault schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland High School Ault 0.0 mi 4.8
Eaton Elementary School Eaton 3.8 mi 7.1
Eaton High School Eaton 3.9 mi 5.3
Eaton Middle School Eaton 3.9 mi 5.3
Benjamin Eaton Elementary School Eaton 4.1 mi 7.7
Highland Elementary School Pierce 4.1 mi 5.3
NORTHERN COLORADO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Eaton 4.4 mi 6.5
Platte Valley Youth Services Center Greeley 9.1 mi
Severance High School Severance 8.1 mi 5.4
Range View Elementary Severance 8.0 mi 6.4
James Madison STEAM Academy Greeley 10.6 mi 4.5
Winograd K-8 Elementary School Greeley 10.4 mi 3.7
Martinez Elementary School Greeley 10.6 mi 5.0
Shawsheen Elementary School Greeley 10.7 mi 5.3
S. Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy Greeley 10.7 mi 7.8
Severance Middle School Severance 9.0 mi 4.8
Franklin Middle School Greeley 10.8 mi 7.6
Northridge High School Greeley 10.6 mi 6.1
Galeton Elementary School Galeton 8.9 mi 8.8
Maplewood Elementary School Greeley 11.2 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80610 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,598

Median Home Value

$403,300

Median Rent

$973/mo

Population

4,175

College Educated

22.3%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Middle School has a median household income of $84,598. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $403,300, with a median rent of $973/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
DSST: Cole Middle School Denver, 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
Burlington Middle School Burlington, CO 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Middle School

What grades does Highland Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Highland Middle School?

Highland Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 237 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Middle School rank in CO?

Highland Middle School is ranked #919 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Highland Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland 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 Highland Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Middle School has 26.3% math proficiency and 24.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Highland Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

42.2% of students at Highland 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
Elevated (1,478/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
237
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Weld County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Weld County School District No. Re-9
District Enrollment
960
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,220
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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