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Needs Improvement

#1747 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

3.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,747 of 1,815

In Thornton

#39 of 39

public schools

In district

#51 of 53

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

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Shadow Ridge Middle School

3.3/10

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

Skyview Elementary School

5.2/10

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

Glacier Peak Elementary School

3.3/10

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

About Shadow Ridge Middle School

Shadow Ridge Middle School is a public middle school in Thornton, CO, part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Shadow Ridge Middle School serves approximately 641 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Shadow Ridge Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,747 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Shadow Ridge Middle School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.7
  • CO avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

51% of students at Shadow Ridge 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 Progress3.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.4% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.4% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-25.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.5 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-16.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,748
Chronic Absenteeism50.9%

Shadow Ridge Middle School — Students at Shadow Ridge Middle School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

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 29.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.1% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 41.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.0% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 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
88%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
58%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
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: 3.8/10.

How Shadow Ridge Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
4th percentile in CO
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.9%

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

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. Rodger Quist Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rocky Top Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Century Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 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 5.2
Glacier Peak Elementary School Brighton 0.6 mi 3.3
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thornton 0.8 mi 4.3
Eagleview Elementary School Thornton 1.1 mi 6.3
West Ridge Elementary Thornton 1.1 mi 6.6
Stellar Elementary School Thornton 1.0 mi 5.8
Cherry Drive Elementary School Thornton 1.4 mi 5.1
FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Thornton 1.3 mi 6.9
Horizon High School Brighton 1.5 mi 7.2
Bright Horizons Preschool Thornton 1.5 mi 3.5
Woodglen Elementary School Thornton 1.6 mi 4.6
Tarver Elementary School Thornton 1.6 mi 5.9
Brantner Elementary School Thornton 1.8 mi 7.3
Riverdale Elementary School Thornton 2.1 mi 4.7
Prairie Hills Elementary School Thornton 2.0 mi 6.9
EASTLAKE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Thornton 2.0 mi
Rodger Quist Middle School Thornton 2.4 mi 6.2
Century Middle School Thornton 2.4 mi 4.7
Hulstrom K-8 Northglenn 2.5 mi 9.1
Rocky Top Middle School Thornton 2.7 mi 6.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aurora Hills Middle School Aurora, CO 3.2
Northglenn Middle School Northglenn, CO 3.2
Overland Trail Middle School Brighton, CO 3.2
Kearney Middle School Commerce City, CO 3.5
Fort Lupton Middle School Fort Lupton, CO 3.7
Grand Mesa Middle School Grand Junction, CO 3.7

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 ranks #1,747 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Shadow Ridge Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shadow Ridge Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Shadow Ridge Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shadow Ridge Middle School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.9%

District

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

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