Summary:
Zip code 80122 in Centennial/Littleton, Colorado is home to two middle schools—Newton Middle School and John Wesley Powell Middle School—both serving grades 6–8 and both part of the Littleton School District No. 6, a highly rated district ranked 8th out of 115 in Colorado.
Newton Middle School is the standout performer in this area. Ranked 26th out of 469 Colorado middle schools (94th percentile), Newton posts impressive proficiency rates of 71.3% in ELA and 70.2% in math—far above state averages of 44.7% and 37.3%, respectively. Its 8th grade math proficiency is an extraordinary 81.6%. Newton also has low chronic absenteeism (10.6%) and a relatively affluent student population (12.55% free/reduced lunch). John Wesley Powell Middle School is also a strong choice, ranked 61st in the state (87th percentile). Powell's ELA proficiency is a solid 64.3%, and its 8th grade science scores (61.9%) actually edged out Newton's (60.7%). However, Powell trails in math at 52.9% proficiency, and serves a more economically diverse population (25.54% free/reduced lunch) with higher chronic absenteeism (14.3%). Importantly, Powell has a smaller student-teacher ratio of 15.0 versus Newton's 19.5.
The most fascinating trend is the widening math gap by 8th grade: in 6th grade the two schools are close (Newton 61.0%, Powell 57.6%), but by 8th grade Newton surges to 81.6% while Powell sits at 53.0%. Both schools improved their state rankings from the prior year—Newton from 34th to 26th, and Powell from 75th to 61st—and both report a 0.0% dropout rate. Families in 80122 have two excellent options within a top-tier district, with Newton leading in math acceleration and Powell offering competitive science and a more personalized classroom environment.
Thank you for your feedback!