Middle school can be a tough time for kids. At this age, most children start to take life a bit more seriously. American Girl Dolls and Hotwheels have become a thing of the past (it’s ok to pause and grab a box of tissues!). Homework becomes more time-consuming. Social dynamics become more complicated. Now, more than ever, your children need to be in a supportive school environment. Here, the Boulder realtor team at Burgess Group | Compass lists the top-rated middle schools in the different areas of Boulder County.
Top Rated Middle Schools near Downtown Boulder
Summit Middle Charter School
According to U.S. News, Summit Middle is the top-rated middle school in all of Boulder County. And on top of that, it’s rated #5 in Colorado. It was the first charter school in BVSD and promotes a rigorous curriculum. Alongside its sharp focus on academics, Summit Middle works with each student to encourage productive study habits and personal accountability. The goal is to set the students up for success in high school, and beyond. It’s a big feeder school for International Baccalaureate programs. Recently, Summit Middle has been exploring scheduling options in hopes that a less traditional school schedule will allow for more focused learning and less stress for the students.
As a bonus— the BVSD has been named the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon School of Excellence four times!
Learn more about Summit Middle Charter School.
Southern Hills Middle School
Southern Hills is a John J. Irwin School of Excellence. This school is proud of its close-knit community. They offer their students a well-rounded education curriculum that includes visual arts and world languages. One of the most impressive things about Southern Hills is its vast offerings of activities and clubs. They’re always looking to expose students to new ideas. Among these programs are:
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Literary Analysis Book Club
- Rainbow Club
- Optimist Brain Bowl Club
- A special leadership program for 8th graders
And so much more! You can view the whole list here! Strong athletic programs are offered too, of course.
Learn more about Southern Hills Middle School
Top Rated Middle Schools in Louisville
Louisville Middle School
The mission of Louisville Middle is to empower its students with the skills to become leaders of the 21st century. They value positivity, respect, integrity, determination, and empathy. Core classes focus on language arts, math, science, and social studies. But electives are strongly valued too. Students can choose art, technology, music, drama, and world language. Louisville Middle also offers an extensive Gifted & Talented program that identifies students based on their academic aptitude, creative thinking, leadership abilities, or artistic abilities.
Learn more about Louisville Middle School
Monarch K-8 School
Opting for a K-8 school is a great way to prepare for an easier transition from elementary school to middle school. Your kids will remain in classes with the friends they’ve made in elementary school. And they won’t need to stress about finding their way around a new space. Monarch values both academics and extracurriculars, and their campus includes lots of green space for the students to run around and play. You can check out a virtual tour of the campus here.
Top Rated Middle Schools in Longmont
Altona Middle School
Altona Middle is a “leadership focus school”. It has been nationally recognized. Its accolades include:
- 11 John Irwin School of Excellence Awards
- 6 Governor’s Distinguished School Awards
- Finalist for the Colorado Succeeds Prize for Transformational Impact
- Won Verizon Innovative App Challenge
This middle school values academics, arts, and athletics. But what makes this school unique is its focus on wellness. Altona Middle incorporates social and emotional learning (SEL) as an integral part of its curriculum. They see the value of developing healthy identities, managing emotions, and showing empathy.
Learn more about Altona Middle School
Westview Middle School
Westview Middle is a STEM focus school. Some of their outstanding accolades include:
- National recognition as an Apple Distinguished School
- Numerous Robotics State Championships
- Nationally Ranked “School to Watch”
Students of Westview Middle School compete in national and world robotics competitions. Students at Westview take additional classes in art, technology, foreign language, digital photography, computer programming, and other extended learning opportunities. The school takes its STEM accomplishments seriously. Did our Boulder realtor team mention that Westview also has gorgeous Rocky Mountain Views? It’s a beautiful setting for learning.
Learn more about Westview Middle School
Top Rated Middle Schools in Lafayette
Peak-to-Peak Charter School
Peak-to-Peak is a K-12 school. They offer outstanding liberal arts curriculums that challenge students to reach their academic potential. The school community values creativity and respect. The goal is to prepare students to become active and responsible members of an interconnected world. Peak-to-peak has been a staple of the Lafayette community since 1998.
Learn more about Peak-to-Peak Charter School
Angevine Middle School
The mission of Angevine Middle is to prepare students to be college, career, and community ready. Students at Angevine are globally engaged, emotionally intelligent, and passionate about learning. The school has developed a series of programs to help support students during their middle school years, which can so often be confusing and overwhelming. Programs include:
- AVID career prep
- ELD (English Language Development)
- Gifted & Talented
- GSA (Gay Straight Alliance)
- ILC (modifications to curriculum based on cognitive, physical, or behavioral needs)
- International School-to-School Exchange
- PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). They acknowledge and support students for doing the right thing!).
You can view the entire list of special programs here.
Learn more about Angevine Middle School.
Top Rated Middle Schools in Gunbarrel
Horizons K-8 School
The mission of Horizons is to develop a community of reflective learners. Students learn to advocate for themselves, others, and a just world. The school has a rich community life. The school supplements its academic programs with experiential learning, service learning, and outdoor education. The school even sponsors a winter sports program! Students can ski and snowshoe at Eldora Ski Resort, ice skating, rock climbing, and indoor soccer.
Learn more about Horizons K-8 School.
St. Vrain Community Montessori School
St. Vrain encourages students to become engaged humanitarians and stewards of the world. Students are taught to act with integrity, kindness, and wonder. The school is home to students from their PreK age up to 8th grade. Teachers are trained in putting Montessori concepts into practice. You can learn about the middle school curriculum here.
Learn more about St. Vrain Community Montessori School.
