Sargent Middle School

Sargent Middle School is a small rural public school serving 70 students in grades 6–8 in Monte Vista, Colorado, within the Sargent School District No. Re-33J. It ranks 229th out of 469 Colorado middle schools (51st percentile) with a 3-star rating, making it the clear academic leader in its immediate area. Compared to nearby Ortega Middle School, Monte Vista Middle School, and Skoglund Middle School, Sargent stands out with stronger test scores, a lower share of economically disadvantaged students (45.7% free/reduced lunch vs. 72.6%–93.6% at those schools), and a more contained learning environment.

Academically, Sargent outperforms all nearby schools in both English Language Arts and Math on the most recent CMAS assessments. Its 7th grade ELA score of 58.8% proficient is a standout — more than 12 points above the state average and dramatically higher than Monte Vista’s 25% and Skoglund’s 18.2%. However, math remains a persistent weakness: at 14% proficiency, Sargent trails the state by over 20 points, though it still beats the 5.7%–9.6% range of its neighbors. Science scores are volatile due to the small cohort, swinging from 54.5% one year to 25% the next, so parents should interpret these numbers cautiously.

One emerging concern is chronic absenteeism, which doubled from 9.8% in 2023-2024 to 20.0% in 2024-2025. While that is still below the state rate of 28.4% and comparable to Ortega’s 22.9%, the sharp jump deserves monitoring. On a positive note, Sargent reported a 0.0% dropout rate in available years, and its recent move to 3 stars after years of 2-star ratings suggests real improvement. For parents in this region, Sargent Middle School offers the strongest overall academic profile, with notable strengths in reading and a supportive, small-school atmosphere — though math support and attendance will be key areas to watch.