Original Research by School Decision on World Academy Middle School
World Academy Middle School is a regular public school in Gypsum, Colorado, serving grades six through eight. It is part of the Eagle County School District Re 50. The school is very small, with an enrollment that makes it one of the smallest middle schools in the region for its grade band. The student body is primarily white, with a substantial share of Hispanic students and a small number of students who identify as two or more races. Data on students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are identified as English learners was not available, so a family would need to ask the school directly about the support systems in place.
State testing results for the school are largely suppressed because the number of students who took the Colorado Measures of Academic Success assessments was very low, and participation rates were well below what is typically needed to report reliable scores. In mathematics and English language arts, the participation rate was under half, and in science, no participation data was reported at all. Because of these low counts, the state did not release proficiency rates for any subject. This is a common situation for a very small school, but it means there is no publicly available state testing picture of academic performance. A parent or guardian may want to look into this further with the school to understand how student progress is measured and what information guides instruction.
The school sits in Gypsum, a town in western Eagle County that blends rural and industrial character. Gypsum is home to a drywall plant and open-pit gypsum mine, which is the largest employer, along with the Eagle County Regional Airport, a significant seasonal hub for skier traffic. The town has experienced notable population growth in recent decades and positions itself as a development opportunity within the Vail Valley resort region. The downtown area along U.S. Route 6 has restaurants, cafes, and shops, and the town hosts community events such as the Gypsum Daze festival. Outdoor recreation is readily accessible, with the Eagle River, parks, golf courses, and reservoirs nearby. Walkability is limited by the town’s spread-out valley-floor layout and the presence of Interstate 70 and industrial zones, but schools appear to be integrated into the town fabric rather than isolated.
The housing market in Gypsum reflects the broader pressure of the Eagle County resort region. Home values are high relative to national benchmarks, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced home is very high, making affordability a serious question for many families. Rents also take up a large share of typical household income. For those not already established in the area, the cost of living is a major consideration.
The district itself did not surface any recent notable changes or strategic priorities in publicly available sources, so the narrative here is what the school’s own data and the community context provide.
World Academy Middle School is a very small option for families who want an intimate middle school setting in a growing mountain town. The lack of publicly reported test scores and the low testing participation mean a family cannot rely on state data to evaluate academic outcomes; direct inquiry with the school about curriculum, assessments, and student supports would be essential. The peer environment is small, which can mean close relationships but also limited variety in social groups. The town’s high housing costs and industrial-residential mix are important context for anyone considering relocating to the area.
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