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Needs Improvement

#1751 of 1,815 schools in CO

Overland Trail Middle School

Middle School · School District 27J

455 NORTH 19TH AVENUE, Brighton, CO 80601

Enrollment

559

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

3.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,751 of 1,815

In Brighton

#14 of 17

public schools

In district

#26 of 31

School District 27J

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Overland Trail Middle School

3.2/10

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

Northeast Elementary School

3.3/10

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

Southeast Elementary School

2.7/10

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

About Overland Trail Middle School

Overland Trail Middle School is a public middle school in Brighton, CO, part of School District 27J. Overland Trail Middle School serves approximately 559 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Overland Trail Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,751 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Overland Trail Middle School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • CO avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Overland Trail 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 Progress3.0Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.6% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-28.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.9 pts
Overall Proficiency13% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,854
Chronic Absenteeism36%

Overland Trail Middle School — Students at Overland Trail Middle School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.0% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 35.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.0% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 33 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
83%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
41%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
20%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
23%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
23%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
8%
2025
Math
8.3%
ELA
18.8%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Overland Trail Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.2/10
4th percentile in CO
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.0%

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

455 NORTH 19TH AVENUE, Brighton, CO 80601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Overland Trail Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Eagle Ridge Academy (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ELMWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meadow Ridge Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Lochbuie), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brighton, see our Brighton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Northeast Elementary School Brighton 0.1 mi 3.3
Southeast Elementary School Brighton 0.9 mi 2.7
Innovations & Options Brighton 0.8 mi 4.9
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Brighton 1.0 mi 4.6
Bright Beginnings Brighton 1.0 mi 4.6
27J Online Academy Brighton 1.0 mi 3.0
Brighton High School Brighton 1.1 mi 5.7
Vikan Middle School Brighton 1.3 mi 4.0
South Elementary School Brighton 1.3 mi 3.4
Eagle Ridge Academy Brighton 1.4 mi 8.3
BRIGHTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Brighton 1.7 mi 5.2
Mary E Pennock Elementary School Brighton 1.5 mi 4.9
Foundations Academy Brighton 2.3 mi 5.5
ELMWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Brighton 3.1 mi 7.7
Bromley East Charter School Brighton 3.0 mi 3.3
Meadow Ridge Elementary School Lochbuie 3.1 mi 7.0
Elaine S. Padilla Elementary School Brighton 3.1 mi 3.2
Prairie Vista Youth Service Center Brighton 3.6 mi 5.4
Lochbuie Elementary School Lochbuie 4.2 mi 4.0
Fort Lupton High School Fort Lupton 5.6 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,031

Median Home Value

$471,900

Median Rent

$1,729/mo

Population

41,301

College Educated

23.6%

Homeownership

70.9%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

34.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Northglenn Middle School Northglenn, CO 3.2
Shadow Ridge Middle School Thornton, CO 3.3
Gypsum Creek Middle School Gypsum, CO 3.5
Kearney Middle School Commerce City, CO 3.5
Adams City Middle School Commerce City, CO 2.8
Fort Lupton Middle School Fort Lupton, CO 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Overland Trail Middle School

What grades does Overland Trail Middle School serve?

Overland Trail Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Overland Trail Middle School?

Overland Trail Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 559 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Overland Trail Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Overland Trail Middle School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Overland Trail Middle School rank in CO?

Overland Trail Middle School ranks #1,751 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Overland Trail Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Overland Trail Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Overland Trail Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Overland Trail Middle School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Overland Trail Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Overland Trail Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

68.5% of students at Overland Trail 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
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
18 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Adams County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.0%

District

School District 27J
District Enrollment
23,139
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,854
District Rank
#26 of 31

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