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
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Hills Middle School — Students at Southern Hills Middle School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Southern Hills Middle School Compares
See how Southern Hills Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 71.08% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 85.9% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (720) 561-3400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Boulder Valley School District No. Re2- District Enrollment
- 28,357
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,172
- District Rank
- #32 of 54
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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