Barone Middle School

Barone Middle School is a small public middle school in Meeker, CO, serving 163 students in grades 6–8 and earning a 4-star state rating. Part of the Meeker School District RE1 — ranked 17th among 115 Colorado districts — Barone itself ranks 138th out of 469 Colorado middle schools, placing it in the 71st percentile. English Language Arts is a clear strength: 55.1% of students were proficient in 2025–2026, compared to 44.7% statewide. Science is likewise a standout, with 8th graders at 51.1% proficiency versus 35.4% statewide, roughly 16 points above the state average. Math shows a more mixed picture, with 38.5% proficiency slightly above the state's 37.3% but below the district's 43.0%.

Within math, 7th grade shines at 49.0% proficiency versus 32.9% statewide, while 8th-grade math lags at 31.3% versus 37.8% statewide — a concern since 8th-grade math builds toward algebra readiness. The most striking feature of Barone, however, is its support for economically disadvantaged students. The school ranks 15th out of 230 Colorado middle schools for low-income students, landing in the 93rd percentile with a 5-star rating — stronger than its overall ranking. This indicates Barone is especially effective at closing achievement gaps in a rural setting.

Attendance and safety metrics are healthy. The dropout rate is 0.0%, and chronic absenteeism, though up from 14.1% to 19.0%, remains well below the state rate of 28.4%. The student-teacher ratio has improved to 16.2, suggesting more individual attention for students. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch has declined to 30.67%. There are no comparable schools within 20 miles, so direct peer comparisons aren't possible, but against state and district benchmarks, Barone stands out as a high-performing rural middle school with real strengths in ELA, science, and equitable support for all students.