Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1624 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

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,624 of 1,815

In Ault

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Weld County School District No. Re-9

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Highland Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Highland Middle School

3.9/10

Middle School in Ault · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highland High School

6.4/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Eaton Elementary School

8.1/10

3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland Middle School

Highland Middle School is a public middle school in Ault, CO, part of Weld County School District No. Re-9. Highland Middle School serves approximately 237 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio.

Highland Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,624 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Highland Middle School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below CO schools
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • CO avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Highland Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

36% of students at Highland Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.1% (2025 CMAS)
Reading vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,220
Chronic Absenteeism35.9%

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 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.8% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 29 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
24.5%
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: 2.6/10.

How Highland Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
11th percentile in CO
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.4/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Greeley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eaton Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Eaton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Severance Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Severance), which scores notably higher. 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 6.4
Eaton Elementary School Eaton 3.8 mi 8.1
Eaton High School Eaton 3.9 mi 7.9
Eaton Middle School Eaton 3.9 mi 5.9
Benjamin Eaton Elementary School Eaton 4.1 mi 7.6
Highland Elementary School Pierce 4.1 mi 4.3
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 5.0
Range View Elementary Severance 8.0 mi 6.3
James Madison STEAM Academy Greeley 10.6 mi 4.4
Winograd K-8 Elementary School Greeley 10.4 mi 4.5
Martinez Elementary School Greeley 10.6 mi 5.1
Shawsheen Elementary School Greeley 10.7 mi 3.0
S. Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy Greeley 10.7 mi 6.1
Severance Middle School Severance 9.0 mi 5.3
Franklin Middle School Greeley 10.8 mi 6.4
Northridge High School Greeley 10.6 mi 6.3
Galeton Elementary School Galeton 8.9 mi 8.5
Maplewood Elementary School Greeley 11.2 mi 5.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bayfield Middle School Bayfield, CO 3.9
Grand Valley Middle School Parachute, CO 3.9
Burlington Middle School Burlington, CO 4.1
Wiggins Elementary School Wiggins, CO 3.7
Brush Middle School Brush, CO 4.5
Panorama Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 3.3

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 ranks #1,624 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Highland Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Highland Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Middle School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.9%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.