Needs Improvement
#1698 of 1,815 schools in CO
Prairie Middle School
Middle School · Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
12600 EAST JEWELL AVENUE, Aurora, CO 80012
Enrollment
1,362
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
3.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,362
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
3.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,698 of 1,815
In Aurora
#85 of 100
public schools
In district
#66 of 70
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
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Prairie Middle School
Middle School in Aurora · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Overland High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Eastridge Community Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Prairie Middle School
Prairie Middle School is a public middle school in Aurora, CO, part of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah. Prairie Middle School serves approximately 1,362 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,698 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Prairie Middle School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.3
- CO avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
51% of students at Prairie 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Prairie Middle School — Students at Prairie Middle School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.1/10.
How Prairie Middle School Compares
See how Prairie Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
12600 EAST JEWELL AVENUE, Aurora, CO 80012
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CRESCENT VIEW ACADEMY (rated 8.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Joe Shoemaker School (rated 6.9/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Overland High School Aurora | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Eastridge Community Elementary School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Village East Community Elementary School Aurora | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN Aurora | 0.9 mi | — |
| AXL Academy Aurora | 0.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Colorado Early Colleges Aurora Aurora | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Aurora Hills Middle School Aurora | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Ponderosa Elementary School Aurora | 0.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Polton Community Elementary School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Jewell Elementary School Aurora | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy Aurora | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Virginia Court Elementary School Aurora | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Gateway High School Aurora | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| CRESCENT VIEW ACADEMY Aurora | 1.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Highline Community Elementary School Aurora | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Joe Shoemaker School Denver | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Montessori del Mundo Charter School Aurora | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| THREE BEARS LEARNING CENTER Denver | 2.0 mi | — |
| Lotus School for Excellence Aurora | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Yale Elementary School Aurora | 2.2 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,835
Median Home Value
$398,300
Median Rent
$1,697/mo
Population
51,389
College Educated
27.3%
Homeownership
50.9%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Median Age
33.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mrachek Middle School Aurora, CO | 3.9 |
| Aurora Hills Middle School Aurora, CO | 3.2 |
| Cimarron Middle Parker, CO | 4.3 |
| Falcon Middle School Peyton, CO | 4.3 |
| Silver Hills Middle School Northglenn, CO | 4.4 |
| Sky Vista Middle School Aurora, CO | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Middle School
What grades does Prairie Middle School serve?
Prairie Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Prairie Middle School?
Prairie Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,362 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Middle School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Middle School rank in CO?
Prairie Middle School ranks #1,698 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Prairie Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Prairie Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Middle School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Prairie Middle School a charter school?
No, Prairie Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Middle School a Title I school?
No, Prairie Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Middle School?
76.1% of students at Prairie 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,362
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 89
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Arapahoe County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 51.0%
- Phone
- (720) 747-3000
Resources & Links
District
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah- District Enrollment
- 51,808
- Schools in District
- 70
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,158
- District Rank
- #66 of 70
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