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Excellent

#272 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 15% in state

Nucla Middle School

Middle School · West End School District No. Re-2

PO BOX 570, Nucla, CO 81424

Enrollment

31

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

8.0

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nucla

#1 of 2

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#27 of 276

In district

#1 of 3

West End School District No. Re-2

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Nucla Middle School

Nucla Middle School is a small, rural middle school located in the remote area of Nucla, Colorado. Serving seventh and eighth graders, the school has an enrollment of just 31 students, making it quite intimate and personalized. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 and two full-time equivalent teachers, each student receives individualized attention that can help foster personal growth and academic development.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, placing it at the 54th percentile among Colorado schools based on its state ranking of #844 out of 1831 schools. Academically, Nucla Middle School has a score of 4.8/10, with 28% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 17% proficient or above in math. While these scores indicate there is room for improvement, the close-knit community offers a nurturing environment where teachers can focus on each student's unique needs.

Nucla Middle School sits in a quiet rural setting surrounded by nature, offering students a peaceful backdrop for learning.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 31 students, Nucla Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Nucla 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 Progress9.5Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.0Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.8%
Math vs. State Avg-17.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,588

Nucla Middle School — Students at Nucla Middle School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 17.2%
School
State
36.1%
ELA Proficiency 27.9%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 7 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
10%
2025
Math
18.8%
ELA
43.8%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Nucla Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in CO
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

PO BOX 570, Nucla, CO 81424

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nucla Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Garnet Mesa Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 41.7 miles away, in nearby Delta), with a very similar rating. Another option is Naturita Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Naturita), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Nucla High School (rated 7.3/10), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Nucla, see our Nucla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

15 within 41.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Nucla High School Nucla 0.0 mi 7.3
Naturita Elementary School Naturita 3.9 mi 7.5
Norwood Public Schools Norwood 16.8 mi 5.9
Gateway School Gateway 36.5 mi
DELTA SDA SCHOOL Delta 41.3 mi
Delta Middle School Delta 41.3 mi 5.4
Backpack Early Learning Academy Delta 41.3 mi 5.0
Delta Academy of Applied Learning Delta 41.3 mi
Lincoln Elementary School Delta 41.4 mi 6.1
Vision Charter Academy Delta 41.6 mi 5.3
Vision Charter Academy K-8 Delta 41.6 mi 4.2
Garnet Mesa Elementary School Delta 41.7 mi 7.7
Delta High School Delta 41.5 mi 6.9
Grand Mesa Choice Academy Delta 41.8 mi 4.8
REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL & TINY TREASURES Delta 41.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,821

Median Home Value

$172,900

Median Rent

$904/mo

Population

1,166

College Educated

16.6%

Homeownership

75.7%

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

56.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nucla Middle School has a median household income of $34,821. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $172,900, with a median rent of $904/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beulah Middle School Beulah, CO 8.4
Eads Middle School Eads, CO 7.3
Antonito Middle School Antonito, CO
Connections Learning Center on the Earle Johnson C Golden, CO
Delta Academy of Applied Learning Delta, CO
Lone Star Middle School Otis, CO

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nucla Middle School

What grades does Nucla Middle School serve?

Nucla Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Nucla Middle School?

Nucla Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 31 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Nucla Middle School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nucla Middle School rank in CO?

Nucla Middle School is ranked #272 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Nucla Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nucla Middle School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Nucla Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nucla Middle School has 17.2% math proficiency and 27.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nucla Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Nucla Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

58.1% of students at Nucla 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (261/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Montrose County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West End School District No. Re-2
District Enrollment
256
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,315
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

Related reading

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