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
Enrollment
2,281
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Smoky Hill High School — Students at Smoky Hill High School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 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: 2.5/10.
How Smoky Hill High School Compares
See how Smoky Hill High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 54% (2021).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (720) 886-5300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
- #45 of 70
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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