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Very Good

#366 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 20% 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

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#11 of 100

public schools

Colorado high schools

#45 of 403

In district

#6 of 56

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

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About William Smith High School

William Smith High School is a public high school in Aurora, Colorado, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 386 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The dedicated faculty includes 25 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting academic growth and development.

William Smith High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10, placing it at the 59th percentile among Colorado schools. Academically, the school is ranked #748 out of 1831 high schools in the state, with room for improvement particularly in math proficiency, where only 12% of students are considered proficient or above. In English Language Arts and reading, 37% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards.

Located in a large city setting, William Smith High School is part of the dynamic Aurora community, offering students access to urban resources and experiences.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.5Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected+6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,319

William Smith High School — Students at William Smith High School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

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 12.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
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: 9.7/10.

How William Smith High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in CO
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

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 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Gateway High School (rated 4.7/10, 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 7.8
Edna and John W. Mosley P-8 Aurora 0.3 mi 6.7
Global Village Academy Aurora Aurora 0.9 mi 7.6
Laredo Elementary School Aurora 1.2 mi 5.6
Vanguard Classical School - East Aurora 1.3 mi 5.0
Laredo Child Development Center Aurora 1.3 mi 4.8
Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learni Aurora 1.5 mi 3.4
Hinkley High School Aurora 1.4 mi 7.5
East Middle School Aurora 1.6 mi 3.8
Elkhart Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 7.2
Arkansas Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 3.5
Montessori del Mundo Charter School Aurora 1.9 mi 5.9
Academy of Advanced Learning Aurora 1.7 mi 4.3
Altura Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 3.6
Iowa Elementary School Aurora 2.3 mi 5.3
Gateway High School Aurora 2.4 mi 4.7
Clyde Miller K-8 Aurora 2.4 mi 7.3
Del Mar Academy Aurora 2.2 mi 4.5
Mrachek Middle School Aurora 2.9 mi 5.0
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding William Smith High School has a median household income of $69,719. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $367,200, with a median rent of $1,607/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Telluride High School Telluride, CO 7.7
North Fork High School Hotchkiss, CO 7.8
Estes Park High School Estes Park, CO 7.5
Manitou Springs High School Manitou Springs, CO 7.9
Odyssey Early College and Career Options Colorado Springs, CO 7.5
Summit Academy Denver, CO 7.5

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 is ranked #366 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is William Smith High School's MySchoolScout rating?

William Smith High School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 William Smith High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, William Smith High School has 12.2% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (4,074/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aurora). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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