The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 20% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Calhan Secondary School
Calhan Secondary School serves grades six through twelve in the small, rural town of Calhan, Colorado, about halfway between Colorado Springs and Limon along U.S. Highway 24. The school is the only secondary option in the Calhan District No. RJ1, a rural district that operates one elementary school and this combined middle and high school. The town itself is very small and has seen a population decline in recent years, with an estimated drop since the 2020 census. It retains a ranching and agricultural character and is known as the home of the El Paso County Fair. The school campus sits at Bulldog Drive, set apart from the town's compact downtown corridor along Colorado Avenue.
The student body is small for a school serving grades six through twelve. The enrollment is predominantly white, with a much smaller share of Hispanic students and an even smaller share of Black students. Just over half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that places the school in a middle range for economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source materials, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how those populations are served.
On state assessments, Calhan Secondary School's results are below the midpoint among districts in El Paso County. In math, about one in five students scored proficient or above. In English language arts, roughly three in ten students met that bar. Science results for eighth graders were similar, with about one in five scoring proficient or above. These are the most recent results available, and they give a clear picture of a school where the majority of students are not yet meeting state proficiency benchmarks. A parent considering this school may want to discuss with the administration what academic interventions and supports are in place.
The school serves grades six through twelve in a single building, which means middle and high school students share the same campus. This arrangement can offer younger students exposure to older role models and a wider range of course options, but it also means the social environment spans a broad age range. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. Data on course offerings, including Advanced Placement, career and technical education, or dual-credit programs, was not available in the source materials, so a parent would need to ask the school directly about what pathways are available.
The town of Calhan is very small and rural, with a population that has declined in recent years. The school district is the only one in town, and the secondary campus sits at Bulldog Drive, set apart from the downtown corridor along Colorado Avenue. Housing values in the area are below the state median, and the town's median home value has risen in recent years even as the population has shrunk. The school's participation rate on state assessments was below full for math and English language arts, which is something a parent may want to ask about. The graduation rate was not available in the source data, so a parent should confirm that figure directly with the school.
Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places Calhan Secondary School below the midpoint among districts in El Paso County. The school serves a small, rural community where the population is declining and the economy is tied to agriculture, the school district, and seasonal fairgrounds employment. For a family already rooted in this area, the school is the local option. For a family considering a move here, the academic results and the school's size and rural setting are the central facts to weigh.
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