Needs Improvement
#1774 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
3.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
3.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sterling
#5 of 5
public schools
Colorado middle schools
#271 of 276
In district
#7 of 7
School District No. Re-1 Valley
About Sterling Middle School
Sterling Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Sterling, Colorado. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 371 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Sterling Middle School indicates room for improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout Rating of 2.8 out of 10 and state ranking of #1691 out of 1831 schools in Colorado.
In terms of standardized test scores, 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 24% achieve proficiency or better in Math. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and providing a supportive educational environment. Located in a remote town, Sterling Middle School is part of a close-knit community where teachers and staff work closely with families to ensure students receive the necessary support and resources they need to succeed academically and personally.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sterling Middle School — Students at Sterling Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 9 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: 2.9/10.
How Sterling Middle School Compares
See how Sterling Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 18.03% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 26.2% (2025).
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. Peetz Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 22.9 miles away, in nearby Peetz), which scores notably higher. Another option is Akron Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 32.8 miles away, in nearby Akron), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lone Star Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 27.7 miles away, in nearby Otis), 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 | 5.8 |
| Campbell Elementary School Sterling | 0.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Hagen Early Education Center Sterling | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Ayres Elementary School Sterling | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Merino Elementary School Merino | 13.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Merino Junior Senior High School Merino | 13.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Caliche Junior-Senior High School Iliff | 18.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Caliche Elementary School Iliff | 18.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Peetz Elementary School Peetz | 22.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Peetz Junior-Senior High School Peetz | 22.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Fleming Elementary School Fleming | 20.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Fleming High School Fleming | 20.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Lone Star Elementary School Otis | 27.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Lone Star Undivided High School Otis | 27.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Lone Star Middle School Otis | 27.7 mi | — |
| Akron Elementary School Akron | 32.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Akron High School Akron | 32.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Otis Elementary School Otis | 36.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Otis Junior-Senior High School Otis | 36.0 mi | 5.7 |
| WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sidney | 36.5 mi | 5.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sterling Middle School has a median household income of $49,221. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,200, with a median rent of $1,033/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams City Middle School Commerce City, CO | 3.5 |
| Bennett Middle School Bennett, CO | 3.5 |
| Atlas Preparatory Middle School Colorado Springs, CO | 3.2 |
| Pueblo Academy of Arts Pueblo, CO | 3.8 |
| Gypsum Creek Middle School Gypsum, CO | 3.9 |
| Bayfield Middle School Bayfield, CO | 4.0 |
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 is ranked #1774 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Sterling Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sterling Middle School has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Sterling Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling Middle School has 24.4% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,327/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sterling). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (970) 522-1041
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
School District No. Re-1 Valley- District Enrollment
- 1,887
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,521
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
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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