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Very Good

#483 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 27% in state

William Smith High School

High School · Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

400 AIRPORT BLVD, Aurora, CO 80011

Enrollment

386

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#483 of 1,815

In Aurora

#15 of 100

public schools

In district

#7 of 56

Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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William Smith High School

7.5/10

High School in Aurora · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Aurora Quest K-8

9.4/10

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

Edna and John W. Mosley P-8

7.4/10

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

About William Smith High School

William Smith High School is a public high school in Aurora, CO, part of Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A. William Smith High School serves approximately 386 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. William Smith High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #483 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for William Smith High School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares1.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.8
  • CO avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College Readiness9.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,118
Chronic Absenteeism13%

William Smith High School — Students at William Smith High School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 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
62%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
12%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How William Smith High School Compares

See how William Smith High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in CO
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.0%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·5 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

400 AIRPORT BLVD, Aurora, CO 80011

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering William Smith High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hinkley High School (rated 5.8/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Gateway High School (rated 4.0/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Aurora Quest K-8 Aurora 0.2 mi 9.4
Edna and John W. Mosley P-8 Aurora 0.3 mi 7.4
Global Village Academy Aurora Aurora 0.9 mi 5.8
Laredo Elementary School Aurora 1.2 mi 3.3
Vanguard Classical School - East Aurora 1.3 mi 6.5
Laredo Child Development Center Aurora 1.3 mi 3.1
Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learni Aurora 1.5 mi 3.1
Hinkley High School Aurora 1.4 mi 5.8
East Middle School Aurora 1.6 mi 4.2
Elkhart Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 7.0
Arkansas Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 3.8
Montessori del Mundo Charter School Aurora 1.9 mi 6.9
Academy of Advanced Learning Aurora 1.7 mi 6.1
Altura Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 2.6
Iowa Elementary School Aurora 2.3 mi 4.7
Gateway High School Aurora 2.4 mi 4.0
Clyde Miller K-8 Aurora 2.4 mi 5.1
Del Mar Academy Aurora 2.2 mi 3.1
Mrachek Middle School Aurora 2.9 mi 3.9
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aurora 2.4 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80011 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,719

Median Home Value

$367,200

Median Rent

$1,607/mo

Population

53,334

College Educated

18.9%

Homeownership

54.1%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

32.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DSST: Cole High School Denver, CO 7.5
FOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL OF COLORADO Colorado Springs, CO 7.4
Jefferson County Open Secondary Lakewood, CO 7.4
The Vanguard School (High) Colorado Springs, CO 7.4
Village High School Colorado Springs, CO 7.4
Basalt High School Basalt, CO 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about William Smith High School

What grades does William Smith High School serve?

William Smith High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend William Smith High School?

William Smith High School has an enrollment of approximately 386 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at William Smith High School?

The student-teacher ratio at William Smith High School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does William Smith High School rank in CO?

William Smith High School ranks #483 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is William Smith High School's MySchoolScout rating?

William Smith High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 William Smith High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, William Smith High School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is William Smith High School a charter school?

No, William Smith High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is William Smith High School a Title I school?

No, William Smith High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William Smith High School?

82.9% of students at William Smith High 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
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
386
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Arapahoe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.0%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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