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Average

#962 of 1,815 schools in CO

Smoky Hill High School

High School · Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

16100 EAST SMOKY HILL ROAD, Aurora, CO 80015

Enrollment

2,281

Student-Teacher

19.7:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#42 of 100

public schools

Colorado high schools

#196 of 403

In district

#45 of 70

Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Smoky Hill High School

Smoky Hill High School serves 2,281 students in grades 9-12 in Aurora, Colorado, making it one of the larger high schools in the area. With 116 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.7:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive high school experience. Academically, Smoky Hill High School has room for growth, with 30% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in mathematics across grade levels.

The school ranks in the 46th percentile among Colorado high schools, indicating opportunities for continued academic development and support for its diverse student body. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $116,357 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of just 4.2%, with median home values around $495,000, reflecting a well-established residential area that values education and community investment.

Located on East Smoky Hill Road in a large city setting, the school serves families in this thriving suburban community within Arapahoe County, where students benefit from both the resources of a major metropolitan area and the stability of an economically strong neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

Smoky Hill High School is a large school with 2,281 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,137

Smoky Hill High School — Students at Smoky Hill High School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 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
42%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
30%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Smoky Hill High School Compares

See how Smoky Hill High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in CO
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
116 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
25.3% participation·121 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

16100 EAST SMOKY HILL ROAD, Aurora, CO 80015

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smoky Hill High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fox Hollow Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Trails West Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Centennial), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dalton Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Laredo Middle School Aurora 0.3 mi 5.9
Independence Elementary School Aurora 0.3 mi 7.2
Indian Ridge Elementary School Aurora 0.5 mi 7.3
HOLY LOVE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Aurora 1.0 mi 3.6
The Journey Preschool Aurora 1.0 mi 6.8
Sagebrush Elementary School Aurora 1.0 mi 7.0
Mission Viejo Elementary School Aurora 1.3 mi 4.7
Meadow Point Elementary School Aurora 1.1 mi 7.2
Trails West Elementary School Centennial 1.2 mi 8.3
AL-MINHAAL ACADEMY COLORADO Aurora 1.7 mi 7.6
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 5.2
Summit Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 6.1
REGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Aurora 1.9 mi 5.7
Meadowood Child Development Center Aurora 2.0 mi 4.8
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF AURORA Centennial 1.7 mi
Fox Hollow Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 8.8
Horizon Middle School Aurora 1.8 mi 5.5
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI OF AURORA Aurora 2.1 mi
Dalton Elementary School Aurora 2.3 mi 7.7
Dartmouth Elementary School Aurora 2.4 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80015 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,640

Median Home Value

$558,900

Median Rent

$2,190/mo

Population

72,155

College Educated

49.3%

Homeownership

82.2%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.4%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smoky Hill High School has a median household income of $121,640. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $558,900, with a median rent of $2,190/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Bear Creek High School Lakewood, CO 6.2
Chaparral High School Parker, CO 6.2
Erie High School Erie, CO 6.2
Ponderosa High School Parker, CO 6.2
Rangeview High School Aurora, CO 6.2
Adams City High School Commerce City, CO 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smoky Hill High School

What grades does Smoky Hill High School serve?

Smoky Hill High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Smoky Hill High School?

Smoky Hill High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,281 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smoky Hill High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Smoky Hill High School is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smoky Hill High School rank in CO?

Smoky Hill High School is ranked #962 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Smoky Hill High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Smoky Hill High School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Smoky Hill High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smoky Hill High School has 34.0% math proficiency and 56.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Smoky Hill High School a charter school?

No, Smoky Hill High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smoky Hill High School a Title I school?

No, Smoky Hill High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smoky Hill High School?

50.9% of students at Smoky Hill High 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
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,074/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,281
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
116
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Arapahoe County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

Related reading

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