Sargent School District No. Re-33J

Sargent School District No. Re-33J is a small, rural Colorado district in Monte Vista serving 293 students across three schools: Sargent Elementary School (grades K–5), Sargent Middle School (grades 6–8), and Sargent Senior High School (grades 9–12). Among the three, Sargent Middle School is the standout improver, rising from the 39th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 51st percentile in 2025–2026, with 7th-grade ELA proficiency at 58.8% versus 46.6% statewide. Sargent Senior High School impresses with a 95.2% graduation rate and 81% SAT Reading/Writing proficiency, both far above state averages. Sargent Elementary School, however, is the district's biggest concern, with its rank falling to the 27th percentile and 5th-grade math proficiency at just 12%, the lowest score in the district.

The district's clearest academic weakness is mathematics, with proficiency well below state averages at every level: elementary (22.2% vs. 37.3%), middle school (14% vs. 37.3%), and high school SAT Math (19% vs. 32%). Reading and writing is a notable strength, especially at the high school level, though PSAT10 Reading/Writing trails at 57% versus 65% statewide. Science scores also dropped sharply year over year in both elementary (36.8% to 20%) and middle school (54.5% to 25%). Chronic absenteeism runs 20–21% across all schools, below the state average of 28.4% but still affecting roughly 1 in 5 students. The 95.2% graduation rate is a major highlight, nearly ten points above the state's 85.6%.

With only 70–142 students per school, proficiency rates can swing dramatically from year to year based on a small number of students, so trends should be interpreted with caution. Overall, families can expect a strong high school experience with excellent graduation and reading outcomes, an improving middle school with a standout ELA result, and an elementary school that needs attention, particularly in math and science. The middle school's upward trajectory and the high school's college-and-career readiness are encouraging signs for this close-knit district.