Glenwood Springs Middle School

Glenwood Springs Middle School serves 380 students in grades 6–8 in Glenwood Springs, CO, and is part of Roaring Fork School District Re-1. The school has shown early signs of recovery, improving from the 26th percentile of Colorado middle schools in 2023–2024 to the 33rd percentile (312th of 469) in 2025–2026, but it still trails both district and state averages in every subject. ELA proficiency is 30.9% (district: 37.1%, state: 44.7%), math is 23.8% (district: 31.5%, state: 37.3%), and 8th grade science is 23.4% (district: 31.1%, state: 35.4%).

Math is the biggest concern, with proficiency sliding from 26.1% in 6th grade to 21.4% in 8th grade — a 10-point gap with the district by 8th grade. A genuine bright spot is 7th grade ELA, where 40.8% of students are proficient, nearly matching the district average. Chronic absenteeism affects 28.6% of students, well above the district rate of 25.8% and far above nearby Riverside School's 7.3%. Low-income students are served at levels in the bottom fifth of Colorado schools, pointing to equity challenges that need attention.

The contrast with Carbondale Middle School, just 14 miles away in the same district, is striking: Carbondale ranks at the 58th percentile and posts more than double Glenwood's 8th grade math proficiency (44.7% vs. 21.4%). Riverside School, in Garfield School District Re-2, also outperforms Glenwood in ELA (43.1% vs. 30.9%) despite its lower-ranked district. On a positive note, dropout rates are low and math and science scores have improved steadily. The most urgent priorities are reducing chronic absenteeism, strengthening 8th grade math, and improving outcomes for low-income students.