Summary:
In zip code 80136, there is one middle school, Hemphill Middle School, serving grades 6–8 within the Strasburg School District 31J, a small district in a rural Colorado area. Hemphill enrolls 250 students with a student–teacher ratio of 15.7, and it stands alone as the only middle school in this zip code, making its performance the sole reference point for local families.
Academic performance is a major concern, especially in the most recent year. Hemphill’s state ranking dropped from the 36th percentile in 2024–2025 to the 21st percentile in 2025–2026, with scores falling across all subjects. English Language Arts proficiency fell from 38.8% to 26.4%, math fell from 23.2% to 15.3%, and science fell from 22.0% to 14.9%. Math is a particular weakness, with only 6.8% of 8th graders proficient compared to the state average of 37.8%. Even the strongest grade, 7th grade, shows just 21.3% math proficiency versus 32.9% statewide. In ELA, 7th graders lead at 37.7%, while 8th graders lag far behind at 14.9%. Across all subjects, 8th grade stands out as a trouble spot, with scores well below state averages in ELA, math, and science.
Attendance and dropout data paint a mixed picture. Hemphill’s chronic absenteeism rate is 33.6%, higher than both the district (27.3%) and the state (28.4%), which likely contributes to the academic struggles. On a positive note, the school’s most recent dropout rate is 0.0%, better than the district’s 0.9% and the state’s 1.6%, meaning students stay enrolled. However, the combination of high absenteeism, low proficiency, and weak 8th grade performance suggests that without targeted intervention, the school’s slide in state ranking may continue.
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