The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Mcauliffe Manual Middle School
McAuliffe Manual Middle School is a regular public school serving grades six through eight in Denver. It is part of Denver Public Schools, the city’s single school district. The school sits in the northern part of the city, near the intersection of East 28th Avenue and Downing Street, in a residential neighborhood that blends older homes with newer infill development.
The student body is diverse. A substantial share of students are Hispanic and a similar share are Black; smaller proportions are white or identify as two or more races. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a school community where economic need is common. The total enrollment is modest for a middle school, spread fairly evenly across the three grade levels.
Academic performance on Colorado’s state assessments is an area where parents will want to look closely. In the most recent testing year, proficiency rates were low across subjects. In math, a small proportion of students scored at or above the proficient level. In English language arts, about three in ten students met that bar. In grade eight science, about a quarter of students were proficient. Participation rates in testing were below the state target, especially in science, which means the results reflect only a portion of the student body and may not fully capture schoolwide performance. Overall proficiency, when averaged across subjects, places the school in the bottom group when compared relative to districts in Denver County. Because McAuliffe Manual serves only middle school grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism and discipline was not available.
The school is not a charter school; it operates as a traditional neighborhood school under the district. Denver Public Schools has made several changes in recent years that affect this school’s context. In the 2024-2025 school year, the district launched a unified enrollment system that consolidated how families apply to schools, which may matter for families navigating school choice. A district-wide literacy curriculum shift, aligned with the science of reading, began in 2023-2024 and covers elementary grades, so by the time students reach middle school they are encountering that foundation. Voters approved a major bond measure in 2024, the largest in district history, for facility improvements and safety upgrades across DPS schools, and a mill levy override in 2022 to increase teacher pay and mental health resources. These publicly reported investments may shape the school’s facilities and staffing over time.
Denver itself is a large, dense city and state capital with a diversified economy spanning aerospace, technology, health care, and tourism. The housing market in the school’s ZIP code reflects the city’s broader pattern: typical home values are moderately above the statewide benchmark but have recently declined, and rents have eased slightly. Affordability remains a challenge, with rents taking up a notable share of household income. The neighborhood around McAuliffe Manual is an older, established part of Denver with a mix of residential blocks and small commercial corridors, and it is well within the city’s downtown orbit.
Families considering McAuliffe Manual Middle School will find a small, economically diverse student body in a central Denver location. The academic achievement data points to considerable room for improvement, and the testing participation gap is a factor that makes it harder to get a full picture of student performance. The school’s place among Denver County districts is on the lower end of the range. For a parent, this is a school where understanding the specific programs and supports offered—whether in literacy, math, or enrichment—would be an important next step beyond the test results. The district has recently increased funding for facilities and mental health, which may bring change, but the school’s current academic profile is what the numbers show: a school working to raise proficiency in a high-need setting.
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