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#1261 of 1,815 schools in CO

Horizon Middle School

Middle School · Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

3981 SOUTH RESERVOIR ROAD, Aurora, CO 80013

Enrollment

732

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#57 of 100

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#182 of 276

In district

#54 of 70

Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Horizon Middle School

Horizon Middle School is a regular public school located in Aurora, Colorado, catering to students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 732 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, the school provides a fairly personalized learning environment with 50 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.3 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking as #1260 out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it around the 31st percentile academically.

Test scores show that 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 16% in Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development. Horizon Middle School is situated in a large city setting within Aurora, offering its students opportunities to engage with urban resources and community programs.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28%
Math vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,137

Horizon Middle School — Students at Horizon Middle School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 31.7%
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
22%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
12%
2025
Math
17.1%
ELA
28.1%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Horizon Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in CO
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers

Location

3981 SOUTH RESERVOIR ROAD, Aurora, CO 80013

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Horizon Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Columbia Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sky Vista Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Summit Elementary School Aurora 0.3 mi 6.1
Sunrise Elementary School Aurora 0.8 mi 5.4
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora 0.8 mi 5.2
PEACE WITH CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora 1.0 mi 6.7
The Journey Preschool Aurora 0.9 mi 6.8
Meadow Point Elementary School Aurora 1.2 mi 7.2
Columbia Middle School Aurora 1.3 mi 6.1
Dalton Elementary School Aurora 1.4 mi 7.7
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 5.5
Peakview Elementary School Centennial 1.5 mi 6.1
Aspen Crossing Elementary School Centennial 1.3 mi 7.4
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF AURORA Centennial 1.7 mi
Sky Vista Middle School Aurora 1.4 mi 4.8
Trails West Elementary School Centennial 1.8 mi 8.3
Vassar Elementary School Aurora 1.8 mi 5.6
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora 1.4 mi 7.2
Meadowood Child Development Center Aurora 1.6 mi 4.8
Independence Elementary School Aurora 1.6 mi 7.2
Aurora Frontier K-8 Aurora 1.7 mi 4.7
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora 2.1 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,167

Median Home Value

$453,700

Median Rent

$1,978/mo

Population

74,732

College Educated

33.4%

Homeownership

76.7%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

36.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Horizon Middle School has a median household income of $97,167. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $453,700, with a median rent of $1,978/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Silver Hills Middle School Northglenn, CO 5.5
Bill Reed Middle School Loveland, CO 5.4
Centennial Middle School Montrose, CO 5.6
Challenger Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 5.6
Delta Middle School Delta, CO 5.4
Drake Junior High School Arvada, CO 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Horizon Middle School

What grades does Horizon Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Horizon Middle School?

Horizon Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 732 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Horizon Middle School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Horizon Middle School rank in CO?

Horizon Middle School is ranked #1261 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Horizon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Horizon Middle School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Horizon Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horizon Middle School has 15.7% math proficiency and 31.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Horizon Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Horizon Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

64.5% of students at Horizon 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 (4,074/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
732
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Arapahoe 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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