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Average

#983 of 1,815 schools in CO

Thunder Ridge Middle School

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

5250 SOUTH PICADILLY STREET, Aurora, CO 80015

Enrollment

1,151

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

6.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#983 of 1,815

In Aurora

#36 of 100

public schools

In district

#39 of 70

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

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Thunder Ridge Middle School

6.0/10

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

Outback Preschool

4.9/10

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

Eaglecrest High School

7.1/10

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

About Thunder Ridge Middle School

Thunder Ridge Middle School is a public middle school in Aurora, CO, part of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah. Thunder Ridge Middle School serves approximately 1,151 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Thunder Ridge Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #983 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Thunder Ridge Middle School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • CO avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Thunder Ridge 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 Progress5.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-3.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,158
Chronic Absenteeism33.2%

Thunder Ridge Middle School — Students at Thunder Ridge Middle School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.1% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 56.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.0% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 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
88%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
35%
2025
Math
33.1%
ELA
44%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Thunder Ridge Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
46th percentile in CO
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
5.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

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

5250 SOUTH PICADILLY STREET, Aurora, CO 80015

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thunder Ridge Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Infinity Middle School (rated 8.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Falcon Creek Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sky Vista Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Outback Preschool Aurora 0.2 mi 4.9
Eaglecrest High School Centennial 0.2 mi 7.1
Antelope Ridge Elementary School Aurora 0.6 mi 5.2
Timberline Elementary School Centennial 0.7 mi 5.8
Mountain Vista Elementary School Centennial 0.9 mi 8.3
Sky Vista Middle School Aurora 1.1 mi 4.5
Aspen Crossing Elementary School Centennial 1.1 mi 6.1
Heritage Heights Academy Centennial 1.2 mi 8.6
Canyon Creek Elementary School Aurora 1.4 mi 5.4
Falcon Creek Middle School Aurora 1.5 mi 6.7
Peakview Elementary School Centennial 1.4 mi 6.1
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora 1.8 mi 6.6
Sunrise Elementary School Aurora 1.9 mi 3.6
Rolling Hills Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 8.3
Grandview High School Aurora 2.1 mi 8.3
Buffalo Trail Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 5.8
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF AURORA Centennial 1.8 mi
Aurora Frontier K-8 Aurora 2.6 mi 6.4
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI OF AURORA Aurora 2.3 mi
Infinity Middle School Aurora 2.2 mi 8.2

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
Coal Ridge Middle School Firestone, CO 6.0
Ken Caryl Middle School Littleton, CO 6.1
Mountain Ridge Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 6.1
Sagewood Middle School Parker, CO 6.1
Windsor Middle School Windsor, CO 5.9
Bell Middle School Golden, CO 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thunder Ridge Middle School

What grades does Thunder Ridge Middle School serve?

Thunder Ridge Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Thunder Ridge Middle School?

Thunder Ridge Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,151 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thunder Ridge Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Thunder Ridge Middle School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thunder Ridge Middle School rank in CO?

Thunder Ridge Middle School ranks #983 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Thunder Ridge Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thunder Ridge Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Thunder Ridge Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thunder Ridge Middle School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Thunder Ridge Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Thunder Ridge Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

39.8% of students at Thunder Ridge 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,151
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Arapahoe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

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