The top reported proficiency rate is 14% in English language arts. The lowest is 4% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Risley International Academy of Innovation
Risley International Academy of Innovation is a regular public middle school in Pueblo, Colorado, serving grades six through eight as part of Pueblo School District 60. The school sits within a city shaped by its industrial past as a steel-production center, now with a more diversified economy anchored by healthcare, education, and government. Pueblo’s historic downtown, the Arkansas Riverwalk, and the Colorado State Fairgrounds are key civic anchors, and the city’s housing market is notably more affordable than the state average. The district itself recently approved the largest bond in its history for facility improvements and safety upgrades, and it underwent a name change that reflects a broader rebranding effort.
The student body is small for a middle school and is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of the white population and smaller groups of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. A very high proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating concentrated poverty. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports provided for those populations.
Academic performance, as measured by the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, is a clear area of concern. On the state assessments, the share of students scoring proficient or above in math, English language arts, and science was low across the board. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages the rates across tested subjects, placed it in the bottom quarter when compared to the middle schools within Pueblo County districts. Because Risley is a middle school, there is no graduation rate to report, and no multi-year trend data was available to show whether scores are improving or declining.
The school’s name includes “International Academy of Innovation,” which suggests a thematic focus, but no specific program offerings, course access, or curriculum details were provided in the data. Similarly, information on discipline, attendance, staffing, and teacher qualifications was not available. This leaves a significant gap for a parent trying to understand the daily environment and supports inside the building.
Taken together, Risley International Academy of Innovation serves a community with high economic need, and its state test results point to substantial academic challenges for the majority of its students. The school’s small size may allow for more personalized attention, but the absence of data on many operational and programmatic dimensions means a family considering this school would need to visit, talk to staff, and look into the district’s recent investments to get a fuller picture of what the school offers day to day.
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