Summary:
Zip code 80905 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, contains just one middle school: The Vanguard School (Middle), a small school serving grades 7–8 with 243 students within the Harrison School District No. 2. For parents exploring middle school options in this area, The Vanguard School is the only choice, and it is a compelling one: it stands out as a high-performing institution within a district that ranks in the 27th percentile statewide and carries a 1-star rating.
The Vanguard School has earned 4 stars in each of the past three school years and consistently ranks in the top quarter of Colorado middle schools (78th percentile in 2025–2026). Academically, it outperforms both district and state averages in every tested subject. In 2025–2026, 54.2% of students were proficient in English Language Arts (compared to 32.8% for the district and 44.7% for the state), 50.2% were proficient in Math (vs. 24.8% district and 37.3% state), and 66.0% were proficient in 8th-grade Science—nearly double the state rate of 35.4% and nearly triple the district rate of 23.8%. Eighth-grade math is a particular strength at 60.6% proficiency, far exceeding the state's 37.8%.
Attendance and engagement are also standout areas. The school's chronic absenteeism rate is just 9.0%—less than one-third of the district's 33.1% and well below the state's 28.4%—and the most recent school-level dropout rate was 0.0%. Remarkably, 35.4% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, yet the school still exceeds state proficiency averages, a sign of strong educational equity. With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.6 and a focused grades 7–8 model, students receive considerable individualized attention. The only cautionary note is a recent dip: ELA proficiency fell from 63.6% to 54.2%, and the school's percentile ranking slipped from 86th to 78th. Still, The Vanguard School remains a clear academic leader in the area.
Thank you for your feedback!