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Needs Improvement

#1769 of 1,815 schools in CO

Shadow Ridge Middle School

Middle School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools

12551 HOLLY STREET, Thornton, CO 80602

Enrollment

641

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

3.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thornton

#37 of 39

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#269 of 276

In district

#52 of 53

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

About Shadow Ridge Middle School

Shadow Ridge Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Thornton, Colorado. With an enrollment of 641 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment supported by 37 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Shadow Ridge currently reflects room for improvement; it has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 out of 10 and ranks in the 3rd percentile among Colorado schools with an academic score of 1.9/10.

In terms of proficiency, only 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 13% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, Shadow Ridge Middle School is situated in a large suburban area where the community supports ongoing efforts to enhance educational outcomes and student development.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.4%
Math vs. State Avg-25.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.5 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,222

Shadow Ridge Middle School — Students at Shadow Ridge Middle School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 13.0%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 23.5%
School
State
46.0%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
21%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
13%
2025
Math
10.4%
ELA
19.6%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Shadow Ridge Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in CO
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

12551 HOLLY STREET, Thornton, CO 80602

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shadow Ridge Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rocky Top Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Century Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rodger Quist Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Skyview Elementary School Thornton 0.3 mi 4.5
Glacier Peak Elementary School Brighton 0.6 mi 3.0
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thornton 0.8 mi 4.3
Eagleview Elementary School Thornton 1.1 mi 7.0
West Ridge Elementary Thornton 1.1 mi 5.8
Stellar Elementary School Thornton 1.0 mi 7.3
Cherry Drive Elementary School Thornton 1.4 mi 6.7
FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Thornton 1.3 mi 6.9
Horizon High School Brighton 1.5 mi 6.1
Bright Horizons Preschool Thornton 1.5 mi 5.1
Woodglen Elementary School Thornton 1.6 mi 5.6
Tarver Elementary School Thornton 1.6 mi 6.0
Brantner Elementary School Thornton 1.8 mi 7.0
Riverdale Elementary School Thornton 2.1 mi 5.4
Prairie Hills Elementary School Thornton 2.0 mi 4.8
EASTLAKE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Thornton 2.0 mi
Rodger Quist Middle School Thornton 2.4 mi 4.8
Century Middle School Thornton 2.4 mi 5.2
Hulstrom K-8 Northglenn 2.5 mi 7.8
Rocky Top Middle School Thornton 2.7 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$146,679

Median Home Value

$639,300

Median Rent

$2,574/mo

Population

42,237

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

92.2%

Avg Commute

32 min

Poverty Rate

3.7%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shadow Ridge Middle School has a median household income of $146,679. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $639,300, with a median rent of $2,574/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% 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
Adams City Middle School Commerce City, CO 3.5
Atlas Preparatory Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 3.2
Bell Middle School Golden, CO 3.8
East Middle School Aurora, CO 3.8
Otho E Stuart Middle School Commerce City, CO 3.8
Pueblo Academy of Arts Pueblo, CO 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shadow Ridge Middle School

What grades does Shadow Ridge Middle School serve?

Shadow Ridge Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Shadow Ridge Middle School?

Shadow Ridge Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 641 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shadow Ridge Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Shadow Ridge Middle School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shadow Ridge Middle School rank in CO?

Shadow Ridge Middle School is ranked #1769 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Shadow Ridge Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shadow Ridge Middle School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Shadow Ridge Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shadow Ridge Middle School has 13.0% math proficiency and 23.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Shadow Ridge Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Shadow Ridge Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

61.3% of students at Shadow Ridge 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

City Safety
High (3,129/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Thornton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
641
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Adams County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Adams 12 Five Star Schools
District Enrollment
34,998
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,748
District Rank
#52 of 53

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

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