The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in English language arts. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Midland Elementary School
Midland Elementary School is a regular public school in Colorado Springs, serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Colorado Springs School District 11, the largest district in the city. The school is small, with an enrollment that reflects a neighborhood feel. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. A large majority of students come from low-income households, as measured by the share qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
The school sits within the sprawling, car-dependent city of Colorado Springs, a place where the economy is driven by military installations, aerospace and defense contractors, and tourism. The city has grown steadily, and the housing market in the school’s zip code reflects a typical home value that is somewhat below the statewide average. Rents in the area are moderate relative to local incomes. Families moving into the area will find a mix of older neighborhoods and newer developments, with the school located on the west side of the city, near the historic Old Colorado City area.
Academically, Midland Elementary students take state assessments in grades three through five. The share of students scoring proficient or above in math and English language arts is modest, and the same is true for fifth-grade science. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects, when compared to other elementary schools in the broader El Paso County district landscape, sits above the midpoint. That relative position is a strength, though the absolute rates are low enough that a parent may want to learn about the school’s curriculum, intervention strategies, and how teachers support students who are below grade level. Participation rates on the tests were high, so the results reflect nearly all students.
The district has made several changes recently that could affect Midland. It raised starting teacher salaries and implemented broader pay increases, a move aimed at improving teacher recruitment and retention. It also cut the number of schools on the state’s lowest performance ratings from nine to three, a sign of district-wide improvement. And it launched the D11 Promise Scholarship, which allows high school students to take college courses at Pikes Peak State College at no cost. While these are district-level initiatives, they speak to a focus on both teacher quality and postsecondary access, which may matter to families thinking ahead beyond elementary school.
The school itself offers a typical elementary program through fifth grade. No information was available about specialized programs, course access, or enrichment offerings, so families should confirm what is available, especially in areas like art, music, physical education, and before- or after-school care. The school’s small size may mean that students receive more individual attention, but it also may limit the variety of extracurriculars or specialized instruction that larger schools can offer.
For a family considering this school, the picture is one of a small, economically diverse elementary school in a large city, where academic outcomes are below the state average but relative to nearby schools the performance is competitive. The housing market is affordable by Colorado Springs standards, and the district is investing in teacher pay and school improvement. A parent’s next step would be to visit the school, talk to the principal about academic supports, and understand how the school serves students who are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks.
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