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Very Good

#391 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 22% in state

Southern Hills Middle School

Middle School · Boulder Valley School District No. Re2

1500 KNOX DRIVE, Boulder, CO 80305

Enrollment

493

Student-Teacher

20.5:1

Score

7.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Boulder

#17 of 29

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#41 of 276

In district

#32 of 54

Boulder Valley School District No. Re2

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Southern Hills Middle School

Southern Hills Middle School serves 493 students in grades 6-8 in Boulder, Colorado, earning recognition as a high-performing public middle school. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 86th percentile statewide at #250 out of 1,831 Colorado schools, the school demonstrates strong academic achievement across its three grade levels. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.

Academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with the school receiving a 9.6 out of 10 academic score. In mathematics, 64% of students achieve proficiency or above across all grade levels, reflecting solid foundational learning in this critical subject area. Southern Hills Middle School is situated in Boulder's 80305 ZIP code area, a well-educated community where 83% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood reflects Boulder's characteristic blend of academic achievement and outdoor lifestyle, with a median household income of $114,344 and median home values of $924,200. Despite the area's overall affluence, the community maintains some economic diversity with a 12.7% poverty rate among its 16,280 residents. The school operates within Boulder's mid-size city environment, offering students access to both urban amenities and Colorado's renowned natural beauty.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Hills Middle School is 20.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency85.9%
Math vs. State Avg+35 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+41 pts
Overall Proficiency78%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+19.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
Resources & Environment3.8Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,316

Southern Hills Middle School — Students at Southern Hills Middle School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

7.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.9%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 84.7%
School
State
46.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
68%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
64%
2025
Math
71.3%
ELA
86%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Southern Hills Middle School Compares

See how Southern Hills Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
79th percentile in CO
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

1500 KNOX DRIVE, Boulder, CO 80305

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Hills Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Manhattan Middle School of the Arts and Academics (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Summit Middle Charter School (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Nevin Platt Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Boulder, see our Boulder schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Fairview High School Boulder 0.2 mi 7.4
Summit Middle Charter School Boulder 0.6 mi 8.3
Community Montessori School Boulder 0.6 mi 7.9
BIXBY SCHOOL Boulder 0.7 mi 6.3
Mesa Elementary School Boulder 0.9 mi 7.8
Creekside Elementary School at Martin Park Boulder 1.1 mi 9.3
Bear Creek Elementary School Boulder 1.1 mi 6.8
Horizons K-8 School Boulder 1.4 mi 7.1
Manhattan Middle School of the Arts and Academics Boulder 1.6 mi 8.5
High Peaks Elementary School Boulder 2.0 mi 8.9
Boulder Community School/Integrated Studies Boulder 2.0 mi 4.9
COUNTRYSIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boulder 2.0 mi
New Vista High School Boulder 2.2 mi 5.5
Eisenhower Elementary School Boulder 2.4 mi 9.0
University Hill Elementary School Boulder 2.5 mi 8.6
Nevin Platt Middle School Boulder 2.7 mi 8.0
Boulder High School Boulder 3.1 mi 7.1
JAY & ROSE PHILLIPS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Boulder 3.2 mi
Flatirons Elementary School Boulder 3.2 mi 8.6
Whittier Elementary School Boulder 3.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80305 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$120,933

Median Home Value

$985,700

Median Rent

$2,198/mo

Population

16,101

College Educated

82.5%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southern Hills Middle School has a median household income of $120,933. It is a well-educated community where 83% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $985,700, with a median rent of $2,198/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Everitt Middle School Wheat Ridge, CO 7.6
Franklin Middle School Greeley, CO 7.6
KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School Denver, CO 7.6
Lake Middle School Denver, CO 7.6
Turner Middle School Berthoud, CO 7.6
Centennial Middle School Boulder, CO 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Hills Middle School

What grades does Southern Hills Middle School serve?

Southern Hills Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Southern Hills Middle School?

Southern Hills Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 493 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Hills Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Hills Middle School is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Hills Middle School rank in CO?

Southern Hills Middle School is ranked #391 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Southern Hills Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Hills Middle School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Southern Hills Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Hills Middle School has 67.9% math proficiency and 84.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southern Hills Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Southern Hills Middle School a Title I school?

No, Southern Hills Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Hills Middle School?

7.5% of students at Southern Hills 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
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
78 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,086/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
7.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Boulder 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

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