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Below Average

#1507 of 1,815 schools in CO

Sterling Middle School

Middle School · School District No. Re-1 Valley

1177 PAWNEE AVE, Sterling, CO 80751

Enrollment

371

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,507 of 1,815

In Sterling

#3 of 5

public schools

In district

#5 of 7

School District No. Re-1 Valley

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Sterling Middle School

4.5/10

Middle School in Sterling · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sterling High School

7.3/10

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

Campbell Elementary School

4.0/10

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

About Sterling Middle School

Sterling Middle School is a public middle school in Sterling, CO, part of School District No. Re-1 Valley. Sterling Middle School serves approximately 371 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio.

Sterling Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,507 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Sterling Middle School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below CO schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • CO avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Sterling Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.2% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.7 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,521
Chronic Absenteeism32.9%

Sterling Middle School — Students at Sterling Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
36.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 50.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.8% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 31 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
85%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
53%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
58%
ELA
69%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
23%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
23%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
23%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
16%
2025
Math
23.9%
ELA
28%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Sterling Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
17th percentile in CO
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

Programs & Offerings

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

1177 PAWNEE AVE, Sterling, CO 80751

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sterling Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lone Star Undivided High School (rated 9.1/10, 27.7 miles away, in nearby Otis), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fleming High School (rated 8.0/10, 20.0 miles away, in nearby Fleming), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Peetz Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 22.9 miles away, in nearby Peetz), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 36.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Sterling High School Sterling 0.3 mi 7.3
Campbell Elementary School Sterling 0.7 mi 4.0
Hagen Early Education Center Sterling 1.3 mi 3.1
Ayres Elementary School Sterling 2.1 mi 6.4
Merino Elementary School Merino 13.0 mi 5.0
Merino Junior Senior High School Merino 13.0 mi 6.1
Caliche Junior-Senior High School Iliff 18.6 mi 6.6
Caliche Elementary School Iliff 18.6 mi 5.2
Peetz Elementary School Peetz 22.9 mi 7.7
Peetz Junior-Senior High School Peetz 22.9 mi 6.6
Fleming Elementary School Fleming 20.0 mi 5.5
Fleming High School Fleming 20.0 mi 8.0
Lone Star Elementary School Otis 27.7 mi 4.1
Lone Star Undivided High School Otis 27.7 mi 9.1
Lone Star Middle School Otis 27.7 mi
Akron Elementary School Akron 32.8 mi 4.5
Akron High School Akron 32.8 mi 7.0
Otis Elementary School Otis 36.0 mi 5.5
Otis Junior-Senior High School Otis 36.0 mi 6.7
WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sidney 36.5 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80751 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,221

Median Home Value

$232,200

Median Rent

$1,033/mo

Population

17,207

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

13.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.4%

Median Age

38.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brush Middle School Brush, CO 4.5
Shaw Heights Middle School Westminster, CO 4.5
DSST: Cole Middle School Denver, CO 4.6
Fox Meadow Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 4.4
Fruita Middle School Fruita, CO 4.4
Ortega Middle School Alamosa, CO 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sterling Middle School

What grades does Sterling Middle School serve?

Sterling Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sterling Middle School?

Sterling Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sterling Middle School is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sterling Middle School rank in CO?

Sterling Middle School ranks #1,507 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Sterling Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sterling Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Sterling Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sterling Middle School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sterling Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Sterling Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

65.8% of students at Sterling 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Logan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

District

School District No. Re-1 Valley
District Enrollment
1,887
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,521
District Rank
#5 of 7

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