The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in English language arts. The lowest is 48% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cresthill Middle School
Cresthill Middle School serves seventh and eighth graders in Highlands Ranch as part of the Douglas County School District No. Re 1. Highlands Ranch is a master-planned suburban community, nearly built out, with segmented neighborhoods connected by arterial roads and a greenbelt system of more than 70 miles of trails. There is no traditional downtown; civic and commercial life is dispersed, and daily errands typically require driving. The community is car-dependent, and its schools sit on separated campuses throughout the four neighborhood sections.
Cresthill is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and its student body reflects the demographics of this largely built-out suburban setting. The school has a sizable enrollment for a two-grade middle school, with a majority of students identifying as white, followed by a substantial Hispanic population and smaller shares of students who are Asian, Black, or of two or more races. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a relatively low rate that aligns with the area's overall affluence. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the provided information.
On state assessments, Cresthill's results present a mixed picture. In English language arts, a solid majority of students scored at or above the proficient level, which is a strength. In math, just over half of students reached that benchmark. Science, tested only in eighth grade, saw fewer than half of students scoring at the proficient level. A parent may want to look into math and science support further with the school, as these are areas where the school is not performing as strongly as it is in literacy. The participation rates on the assessments were notably below full participation, which is an additional point to keep in mind when evaluating the reported results.
The Douglas County district has undergone several notable changes. In November 2022, voters approved a mill levy override for teacher and staff compensation and mental health support, the first successful override in years. Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the district implemented a new evidence-based literacy curriculum across all elementary schools, a shift that will shape instruction as students move into middle school. In November 2024, voters approved both a substantial bond and another mill levy override, funding new school construction, safety upgrades, and technology, as well as ongoing teacher recruitment and retention. These are major capital and operating investments that will play out over a decade.
A comparison of Cresthill's performance relative to other districts in Douglas County was not possible because the cohort of comparison districts was too small to produce a meaningful measure. This is a function of the county's structure, not a reflection on the school itself.
For a family considering Cresthill, the key characteristics are a suburban, master-planned setting with no walkable downtown, a middle school with a large enrollment for its grade band, and academic results that show a clear strength in English language arts alongside more modest outcomes in math and science. The district has made recent, significant financial and curricular investments that signal a commitment to teacher retention and early literacy, but how those translate into middle school outcomes remains to be seen. The school serves a population that is predominantly white with lower than typical poverty rates, and it sits in a community where the building of the planned neighborhoods is nearly complete, so enrollment growth from new housing construction is likely limited.
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