The top reported proficiency rate is 9% in English language arts. The lowest is 7% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on East Middle School
East Middle School is a regular public school in Aurora, Colorado, serving grades six through eight. Its enrollment of roughly seven hundred students makes it a mid-sized middle school for the area. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a smaller share of Black, White, and Asian students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the high level of economic need in the surrounding community.
On the Colorado Measures of Academic Success state assessments, the school’s proficiency rates are in the single digits for math, English language arts, and science. Among the dozen districts in Arapahoe County, East Middle School’s overall proficiency across tested subjects falls in the bottom quartile. Participation in the math and ELA assessments was above four-fifths of enrolled students, while science participation was lower; a parent may want to ask the school about that. The school’s performance on these measures is clear, and families should be aware that the academic environment is one where most students are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks.
Aurora is a sprawling, largely car-dependent city that is the third largest in Colorado. Its built environment consists of subdivisions and commercial strips, with light rail lines providing some transit connections. Major employers include Buckley Space Force Base, the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the public school districts. The city has been growing steadily, with planned development along the E-470 corridor near Denver International Airport. Typical home values in the school’s immediate area are around the middle of the metro range, with rents that consume a notable share of household income for many families. The housing market has seen modest softening in values relative to a year prior.
The school belongs to the Aurora Public Schools district, which recently passed a bond measure for facility improvements, safety upgrades, and modernization across the district. The district is also undertaking a school consolidation and repurposing process that may affect which buildings are open and how feeder patterns operate. Families considering East Middle School should be aware that district-level changes could influence future school assignments and campus availability.
No data was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, course access, or the full range of special programs at the school. These are notable gaps; a parent may want to inquire directly with the school about student support services, class sizes, and enrichment offerings. The proportion of students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, though given the overall demographics and high poverty rate, it is likely that a substantial number of students receive special education or language support. East Middle School is a Title I school by its economic profile, though no official designation appeared in the data.
For a family, this is a school where a very large share of students come from low-income households and where academic proficiency rates are well below state averages. The surrounding city is large and dispersed, with many jobs in health care, aerospace, and education. The district is investing in facilities but also consolidating schools. A parent looking at this school should seek firsthand information about the learning environment, the level of academic intervention, and how the school supports students who are not yet at grade level.
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