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Very Good

#645 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 36% in state

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

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#645 of 1,815

In Aurora

#21 of 100

public schools

In district

#32 of 70

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

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Smoky Hill High School

7.0/10

High School in Aurora · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Laredo Middle School

5.6/10

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

Independence Elementary School

4.6/10

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

About Smoky Hill High School

Smoky Hill High School is a public high school in Aurora, CO, part of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah. Smoky Hill High School serves approximately 2,281 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Smoky Hill High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #645 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Smoky Hill High School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • CO avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Smoky Hill High School is a large school: 2,281 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

49% of students at Smoky Hill High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness9.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation25.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,158
Chronic Absenteeism49.1%

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 40.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 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
70%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
40%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
41%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
54%
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: 7.4/10.

How Smoky Hill High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in CO
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.7
Sports
5
2 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
116 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
25.3% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·121 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
2 boys'·3 girls'·22 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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. Trails West Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Centennial), which scores notably higher. Another option is Indian Ridge Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AL-MINHAAL ACADEMY COLORADO (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly 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 5.6
Independence Elementary School Aurora 0.3 mi 4.6
Indian Ridge Elementary School Aurora 0.5 mi 8.4
HOLY LOVE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Aurora 1.0 mi 3.6
The Journey Preschool Aurora 1.0 mi 5.4
Sagebrush Elementary School Aurora 1.0 mi 4.5
Mission Viejo Elementary School Aurora 1.3 mi 4.6
Meadow Point Elementary School Aurora 1.1 mi 4.8
Trails West Elementary School Centennial 1.2 mi 8.5
AL-MINHAAL ACADEMY COLORADO Aurora 1.7 mi 7.6
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 4.7
Summit Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 4.9
REGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Aurora 1.9 mi 5.7
Meadowood Child Development Center Aurora 2.0 mi 3.1
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF AURORA Centennial 1.7 mi
Fox Hollow Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 6.0
Horizon Middle School Aurora 1.8 mi 5.0
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI OF AURORA Aurora 2.1 mi
Dalton Elementary School Aurora 2.3 mi 5.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arvada West High School Arvada, CO 7.0
Eaglecrest High School Centennial, CO 7.1
Ponderosa High School Parker, CO 7.1
Bear Creek High School Lakewood, CO 6.8
Castle View High School Castle Rock, CO 6.8
Columbine High School Littleton, CO 7.2

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 ranks #645 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Smoky Hill High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Smoky Hill High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Smoky Hill High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Smoky Hill High School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.1%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

How we rate schools

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