Simla Junior High School

Simla Junior High School serves 63 students in grades 6-8 in the small rural town of Simla, Colorado, and is part of the highly rated Big Sandy School District No. 100J, which ranks 14th out of 115 districts statewide. With no other schools within 20 miles, this is a true community school, and parents comparing options will most usefully measure it against state and district averages. The school currently holds a solid 3-star rating, sitting at the 68th percentile of Colorado middle schools.

Academically, Simla Junior High School shines in English Language Arts, consistently outperforming the state—roughly 51-57% of students score proficient each year compared to about 44-45% statewide. Eighth-grade science is another standout, with 52% proficient in the most recent year versus 35% across Colorado. Math is the relative weakness, with overall scores near or slightly below state averages, though the current 8th grade class is exceptional, posting 61% proficiency in both math and ELA. Sixth and seventh graders tend to score closer to or below state averages, so results can vary quite a bit depending on your child's grade level.

Outside of test scores, the school looks healthy in several important ways. Chronic absenteeism is roughly half the state average (14.5% versus 28.4%), and the student-teacher ratio is very favorable at about 10 students per teacher, meaning more individualized attention. About 54% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, yet the school still outperforms the state in ELA and science. One caveat: with only 63 students, a single strong or weak grade cohort can dramatically shift the school's numbers year to year. The school's overall ranking has slipped from its 5-star peak in 2018-2019 to its current 3-star level, but the combination of strong literacy, low absenteeism, and small class sizes points to a generally supportive learning environment.