Average
#1038 of 1,815 schools in CO
Rifle Middle School
Middle School · Garfield School District No. Re-2
753 RAILROAD, Rifle, CO 81650
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rifle
#2 of 5
public schools
Colorado middle schools
#143 of 276
In district
#4 of 10
Garfield School District No. Re-2
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Rifle Middle School
Rifle Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the remote town of Rifle, Colorado. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 586 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide individualized attention to each student.
Rifle Middle School's academic performance is currently at the 27th percentile in Colorado, ranking it as the 1332nd out of 1831 schools statewide. In reading and ELA, 24% of students are proficient or above, while only 15% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth and development at Rifle Middle School.
The school's setting in a remote town offers its own unique challenges and strengths. Rifle Middle School is deeply connected to the local community, fostering strong relationships between students, teachers, and residents alike.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Rifle Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rifle Middle School — Students at Rifle Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Rifle Middle School Compares
See how Rifle Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 17.44% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 26.39% (2025).
Location
753 RAILROAD, Rifle, CO 81650
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rifle Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Riverside School (rated 6.4/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby New Castle), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Plateau Valley Junior High School (rated 6.1/10, 23.7 miles away, in nearby Collbran), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Grand Valley Middle School (rated 4.2/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Parachute), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rifle, see our Rifle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle High School Rifle | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Highland Elementary School Rifle | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Wamsley Elementary School Rifle | 1.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Graham Mesa Elementary School Rifle | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt | 6.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Coal Ridge High School New Castle | 9.4 mi | 3.2 |
| LIBERTY CLASSICAL ACADEMY New Castle | 12.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Elk Creek Elementary New Castle | 13.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Grand Valley Middle School Parachute | 13.9 mi | 4.2 |
| AMBLESIDE AT SKYLARK New Castle | 13.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Riverside School New Castle | 13.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Kathryn Senor Elementary School New Castle | 13.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Grand Valley Center for Family Learning Parachute | 15.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Bea Underwood Elementary School Parachute | 15.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Grand Valley High School Parachute | 15.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Grand Mesa High School Collbran | 23.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Plateau Valley Elementary School Collbran | 23.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Plateau Valley High School Collbran | 23.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Plateau Valley Junior High School Collbran | 23.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Two Rivers Community School Glenwood Springs | 22.4 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81650 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,506
Median Home Value
$397,100
Median Rent
$1,236/mo
Population
14,071
College Educated
17.1%
Homeownership
75.9%
Avg Commute
31.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
33.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rifle Middle School has a median household income of $81,506. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $397,100, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Columbia Middle School Aurora, CO | 6.1 |
| Dunstan Middle School Lakewood, CO | 6.1 |
| Janitell Junior High School Fountain, CO | 6.1 |
| Vikan Middle School Brighton, CO | 6.1 |
| Carmody Middle School Lakewood, CO | 6.0 |
| Corwin International Magnet School Pueblo, CO | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rifle Middle School
What grades does Rifle Middle School serve?
Rifle Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Rifle Middle School?
Rifle Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 586 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rifle Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Rifle Middle School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rifle Middle School rank in CO?
Rifle Middle School is ranked #1038 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Rifle Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rifle Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Rifle Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rifle Middle School has 15.4% math proficiency and 24.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rifle Middle School a charter school?
No, Rifle Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rifle Middle School a Title I school?
No, Rifle Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rifle Middle School?
39.2% of students at Rifle 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,310/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rifle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 586
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Garfield County
- Phone
- (970) 665-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garfield School District No. Re-2- District Enrollment
- 4,786
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,874
- District Rank
- #4 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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