Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0Commerce City’s public schools score below 63% of Colorado districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Commerce City’s districts is 19%, below the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Commerce City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Colorado, not nationally.
From Colorado state tests taken in spring 2022, when 91% 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.
Commerce City’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 134 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Commerce City’s, its schools beat 9%, lower than their 37% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 19% in math, against 45% and 32% statewide; 91% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
School District 27J spends $12,959 per student and Adams County School District 14 $17,691, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Community Leadership Academy, Victory Preparatory Academy Middle State Charter School, Victory Preparatory Academy High State Charter School, Belle Creek Charter School, Landmark Academy at Reunion, The STEAD School, Primrose School at Reunion (private) and Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School (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.
What’s behind Commerce City’s grade
C+: better than 37% of Colorado school districts, #132 of 159 Colorado towns. Graduation is above the Colorado average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Commerce City, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Commerce City · depends on your address
Otho E Stuart Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 794 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Kearney Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 397 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Adams City Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 296 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Commerce City · depends on your address
Otho E Stuart Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 794 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Kearney Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 397 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Adams City Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 296 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Commerce City
Adams City High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,500 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Commerce City
Adams City High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,500 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Commerce City
Adams City High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,500 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Commerce City
Adams City High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,500 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Commerce City runs its own schools through grade 12 (School District 27J). From grade PK, students attend the Adams County School District 14. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Commerce City
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Commerce City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Commerce City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Commerce City | C+ | School District 27J PK–12 · Adams County School District 14 PK–12 |
| Brighton | B− | School District 27J |
| Denver | B− | Denver County School District 1 |
| Thornton | B+ | Adams 12 Five Star Schools PK–12 · School District 27J PK–12 |
2 of the 3 neighbors share School District 27J with Commerce City for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Commerce City
24 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Colorado’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (University Prep - Commerce City).
Questions about Commerce City’s schools
Are Commerce City’s schools good?
On Colorado’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Commerce City children attend score below 63% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #132 of 159 Colorado towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 9%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Commerce City in?
Two districts: School District 27J runs grades PK–12, and Adams County School District 14 runs grades PK–12.
Where do Commerce City kids go to high school?
Adams City High School, with 1,500 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Commerce City’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in School District 27J graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.
How much does Commerce City spend per student?
$12,959 in School District 27J and $17,691 in Adams County School District 14 (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Commerce City?
Yes: Primrose School at Reunion (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 156 students) and Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School (religious, grades 9–12, 57 students). Commerce City also has 6 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Commerce City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Commerce City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Colorado. Stars are from neighbors.