Skip to main content

Average

#1316 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

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,316 of 1,815

In Aurora

#55 of 100

public schools

In district

#51 of 70

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

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Horizon 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.

Horizon Middle School

5.0/10

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

Summit Elementary School

4.9/10

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

Sunrise Elementary School

3.6/10

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

About Horizon Middle School

Horizon Middle School is a public middle school in Aurora, CO, part of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah. Horizon Middle School serves approximately 732 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Horizon Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,316 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Horizon Middle School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • CO avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Horizon 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 Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.2% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,158
Chronic Absenteeism48.2%

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 29.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.1% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 46.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.0% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 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
82%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
39%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
42%
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: 5.0/10.

How Horizon Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
28th percentile in CO
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.2%

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

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 5.0/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sky Vista Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 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 4.9
Sunrise Elementary School Aurora 0.8 mi 3.6
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora 0.8 mi 4.7
PEACE WITH CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora 1.0 mi 6.7
The Journey Preschool Aurora 0.9 mi 5.4
Meadow Point Elementary School Aurora 1.2 mi 4.8
Columbia Middle School Aurora 1.3 mi 5.0
Dalton Elementary School Aurora 1.4 mi 5.7
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 3.8
Peakview Elementary School Centennial 1.5 mi 6.1
Aspen Crossing Elementary School Centennial 1.3 mi 6.1
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF AURORA Centennial 1.7 mi
Sky Vista Middle School Aurora 1.4 mi 4.5
Trails West Elementary School Centennial 1.8 mi 8.5
Vassar Elementary School Aurora 1.8 mi 6.2
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora 1.4 mi 6.6
Meadowood Child Development Center Aurora 1.6 mi 3.1
Independence Elementary School Aurora 1.6 mi 4.6
Aurora Frontier K-8 Aurora 1.7 mi 6.4
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Columbia Middle School Aurora, CO 5.0
Mesa Middle School Castle Rock, CO 5.0
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez, CO 5.0
Summit Ridge Middle School Littleton, CO 5.0
Bill Reed Middle School Loveland, CO 5.1
DSST: Elevate Northeast Middle School Denver, CO 4.9

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 ranks #1,316 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Horizon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Horizon Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Horizon Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Horizon Middle School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
21 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.2%

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.