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Schools in Aurora · Adams-Arapahoe School District 28J, Cherry Creek School District 5

Aurora’s public schools outscore 59% of Colorado districts

The grade covers the two public school districts serving Aurora, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state reading tests, 39% of Aurora’s students scored proficient, below the Colorado average (45%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Colorado, not nationally.

#94of 159 Colorado townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Colorado state tests taken in spring 2022, when 82% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency

39%

▼ 6 pts vs CO 45%

2021–22

Math proficiency

29%

▼ 3 pts vs CO 32%

2021–22

Graduate on time

89%

▲ 6 pts vs CO 83%

class of 2023

Spent per student

$17.2K

▲ 8% vs CO $15.9K

FY2024 · Cherry Creek School District 5

Students per teacher

16.9

CO 16.3 · larger classes

Schools in town

105

59,651 students on the public path

In brief

Aurora’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 149 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Aurora’s, its schools beat 46%, lower than their 59% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 45% and 32% statewide; 82% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Adams-Arapahoe School District 28J spends $18,657 per student and Cherry Creek School District 5 $17,160, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

New America School - Aurora, High Point Academy, Montessori del Mundo Charter School, New Legacy Charter School, Colorado Early Colleges Aurora, Academy of Advanced Learning, Wildflower Montessori Public Schools of Colorado Aurora, Aurora Academy Charter School, Lotus School for Excellence, Global Village Academy Aurora, AXL Academy, Vanguard Classical School - East, Rocky Mountain Prep: Fletcher, Vega Collegiate Academy, Aurora Science & Tech Middle School, Aurora Science & Tech High School, Crescent View Academy (private), Eastern Hills (private), Peace With Christ Christian School (private), St. Pius X Catholic School (private), Calvary Christian Academy (private), Al-Minhaal Academy, Colorado (private), Rock Solid Christian Academy (private), Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran School (private), Compositive Primary (private) and Cedarwood Christian Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Aurora’s grade

B Test scoresB⁺ Graduation

B: better than 59% of Colorado school districts, #94 of 159 Colorado towns. Graduation is above the Colorado average; test scores are below it.

Colorado school districts we grade (169)Better than 59%

Lower resultsHigher results

Colorado towns with similar household incomes (149)Better than 46%

A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 38,698 test results and a graduating class of 4,345 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 82% of Aurora’s students in the tested grades sat them (38,726 in math, 38,671 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Aurora, with each school’s own grade.

52 schools teach K in Aurora’s district. Which one depends on your address. Their grades range from D− to A+, so check the specific school.

Aurora Central Campus

Grades PK–12

2,468 students18:1Rate it →

Edna and John W. Mosley P-8

Elementary · Grades PK–8

C⁻

994 students17:1Rate it →

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Elementary · Grades PK–8

C⁺

960 students20:1Rate it →

Del Mar Academy

Elementary · Grades PK–7

D⁻

950 students20:1Rate it →

Harmony Ridge P-8

Elementary · Grades PK–8

894 students20:1Rate it →

Murphy Creek K-8 School

Elementary · Grades PK–8

B⁺

Town	Schools	Main districts
Aurora	B	Adams-Arapahoe School District 28J PK–12 · Cherry Creek School District 5 PK–12
Centennial	A	Cherry Creek School District 5 PK–12 · Littleton School District 6 PK–12
Denver	B⁻	Denver County School District 1
Parker	A	Douglas County School District RE-1
Foxfield	—	Cherry Creek School District 5

Aurora’s public schools outscore 59% of Colorado districts

Aurora’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Results trail the state

Graduation

Spending and class size

Choice beyond the district

What’s behind Aurora’s grade

Where will my kid go?

Two districts serve Aurora

Well below the state in reading

Aurora vs. its neighbors

Every school in Aurora

Questions about Aurora’s schools

Parents talk