Summary:
Zip code 80808, centered on Calhan, Colorado, is served by just one middle school: Ellicott Middle School, which enrolls 230 students in grades 6 through 8. Because this is the only middle school in the area, its performance is best understood by comparing it to the Ellicott School District No. 22 and statewide benchmarks rather than to other local schools.
Ellicott Middle School shows some encouraging signs alongside serious academic challenges. Chronic absenteeism is 18.5%, notably better than the district's 25.3% and the state's 28.4%. The student-teacher ratio of 12.1 to 1 is favorable, and the dropout rate is just 0.6%. However, academic proficiency is a major concern. Math proficiency is only 12% compared to 37.3% statewide, with 6th grade math at just 7.9% proficiency. ELA proficiency dropped sharply from 42.2% in 2024–2025 to 29.3% in 2025–2026, now trailing both the district (30.8%) and the state (44.7%). Science proficiency sits at 27.7% versus 35.4% statewide. A relative bright spot is 8th grade ELA at 40.8% proficient, nearly matching the state's 42.2%. The school serves a majority low-income population, with 58.26% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.
The school's state ranking has been volatile, moving from 384th in 2023–2024 to 293rd in 2024–2025, then slipping to 358th of 469 schools (24th percentile, 1-star rating) in 2025–2026. The Ellicott School District No. 22 ranks 98th of 115 Colorado districts, reflecting broader systemic challenges. Since attendance and class sizes are relatively positive, low test scores appear driven by instructional and support needs rather than engagement issues. Targeted math intervention and sustaining early-grade ELA growth will be critical if Ellicott Middle School hopes to climb out of the bottom quartile of Colorado middle schools.
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