The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Englewood Middle School
Englewood Middle School serves seventh and eighth graders in the Englewood School District, a regular public school in a city that blends older residential blocks with medical centers, industrial sites, and a revitalized downtown. The school sits on its own campus, separate from the civic core at CityCenter, which houses the library, city offices, and a light rail station. The district runs two middle schools, and this one is the traditional option for students in these two grades.
Academically, the state’s Colorado Measures of Academic Success results paint a challenging picture. On the most recent round of testing, the share of students scoring proficient or above was modest across subjects: lower in math, somewhat higher in English language arts, and similar in science. Compared to other districts in Arapahoe County, the school’s overall proficiency index lands above the midpoint, meaning it outperforms about half the county’s districts despite the relatively low absolute rates. Still, a parent looking at these numbers will see that most students are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks. The school has moved to standards-based grading, a shift from traditional letter grades that measures progress against specific learning goals, so families will receive reports focused on skill mastery rather than averages.
The student body is about evenly split between Hispanic and white students, with small numbers of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. A substantial share of students come from low-income households, as reflected in the free and reduced-price lunch count. The data does not indicate how many students receive special education services or are English learners, so a parent concerned about those supports should ask the school directly for current numbers.
The district has made several recent changes that affect this middle school. Voters approved a bond measure for facility improvements, including safety upgrades and HVAC repairs, which could mean the school building has seen some renovation. Since the 2022-23 school year, families have had limited in-district school choice, so a resident within the Englewood district boundaries can request a different school rather than being assigned by geography. That flexibility matters if a family prefers a different middle school program, though options within the district are limited to two traditional middle schools and a leadership academy.
Englewood itself is an older, built-out suburb south of Denver with a mix of housing types. The Hampden Hills neighborhood, one of the newest parts of the city, has a large concentration of apartment complexes and is the wealthier section. The historic downtown, near the school, has food and arts businesses and a free trolley that connects the light rail station to the medical district and civic center. The housing market in the area shows home values broadly in line with state benchmarks, and rents have been steady. The presence of major medical employers like Swedish Medical Center and Craig Hospital anchors the local economy and provides a stable job base.
For a family considering this school, the academic proficiency rates are a clear concern, though the district’s shift to standards-based grading may offer a different lens on student progress. The school serves a population with significant economic need, and the peer environment reflects that. The school is small, with only two grades, which can allow for more focused attention on the transition from elementary to high school. A parent should look into what support programs exist for students who are below grade level, how the school addresses gaps in math and reading, and what enrichment or elective offerings are available. The district’s bond-funded improvements and school choice policies suggest some institutional momentum, but the core academic challenge remains the central fact for anyone weighing this option.
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