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GreatSchools Rating

Sierra Middle School

Public | 7-8 | 977 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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10 reviews of this school


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Posted January 10, 2011

I have had two students at Sierra and am debating whether to send our third there, also. They use "fuzzy math" (CPM series) in their gifted & talented ("Discovery") classes, which kills the kids when they hit high school. The Discovery English classes don't spend enough time on composition- also a killer when kids hit AP classes. But the music and science programs are second to none. No school is perfect, but this one is pretty good. The principal is as tech-savvy as a snail, however, and needs to crawl out from under her rock. These kids have no choice but to live in a high-tech world, yet the classrooms look like a throwback to 1972. Weird.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 18, 2009

I used to think Sierra was a good school, but it has changed. The teacher quality has declined, and the feel of the school has become cold and impersonal. I have been very disappointed this year, and I look forward to saying good bye to Sierra.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 21, 2008

This is a wonderful school. I have no complaints in any areas. Both my children were in the Gifted/Talented program here. The teachers are fantastic, no matter what level your kids are in (GT or non- GT). I have had great rapport with all the staff at all levels. We have never had any issues in this school, it's one of the best I know.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 19, 2007

So far my experience is poor. They are not good at helping new kids acclamate to a new 7 period environment when coming from one classroom and one teacher. I've spoken with the counselor assigned and with some of the teachers, so far, I'm very disappointed. There's limited help for those kids who are sharp, but need a little guidance and instruction on proper study habits and organization.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2007

This school is soooooo great I love it.It has the best teachers and the best behaved kids I have ever seen this is a fantastic school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 19, 2005

Sierra is a great school for kids that are gifted and talented like me. I love their discovery program and I have tons of friends.
—Submitted by Bri, a student


Posted July 29, 2005

This school was great I hade a fun time being involved with this school and the teachers are great!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 4, 2005

Cool school! I give it a ten out of 5! im a gt student( gifted and talented), and Sierra has a team (group of classes) fitting for me! It's called Discovery, and I'm going into it next year. I feel very safe here, and i have great teachers, who really care about more than my grades and how good I make them look. If you have a gifted child, this is the best school for them. :)
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 19, 2005

I am a foster parent in the Sierra MS area. We have had many foster student attending Sierra over the years. Sierra MS designs curricula around the special needs of Our fosters. The ammout of support for parents and students is outstanding. Administrators, Counselors and teachers work together to provide a safe a effective educational experience for each individual. They are always ready to go the extra mile for my foster family! John Edwards
—Submitted by John and Lynda Edwards, a parent


Posted August 4, 2004

My daughter came from out of state and was a gifted student who received abysmal services at this school. They have no idea how to teach children with special needs, whether they are above or below the curve.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 53% in 2012.

485 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 68% in 2012.

485 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 62% in 2012.

485 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Colorado used the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) to test students' skills in reading, writing and mathematics in grades 3 through 10, and in science in grades 5, 8 and 10. The TSAP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Colorado. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test. The TCAP replaced the CSAP as Colorado's state assessment program effective for the 2011-2012 school year.

See Colorado's state standards

Source: Colorado Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2012.

463 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 67% in 2012.

463 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%
Science

The state average for Science was 49% in 2012.

463 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 55% in 2012.

463 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Colorado used the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) to test students' skills in reading, writing and mathematics in grades 3 through 10, and in science in grades 5, 8 and 10. The TSAP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Colorado. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test. The TCAP replaced the CSAP as Colorado's state assessment program effective for the 2011-2012 school year.

See Colorado's state standards

Source: Colorado Department of Education

Math

All Students67%
Female66%
Male67%
Black (not Hispanic)n/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic63%
Multiracial63%
American Indian or Alaskan Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)69%
Free lunch eligible45%
Reduced lunch eligible50%
Not eligible for free/reduced price lunch70%
Students with disabilities (IEP)24%
Students without disabilities72%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Language proficiency status - not applicable68%

Reading

All Students77%
Female80%
Male74%
Black (not Hispanic)n/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic73%
Multiracial79%
American Indian or Alaskan Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)79%
Free lunch eligible50%
Reduced lunch eligible83%
Not eligible for free/reduced price lunch79%
Students with disabilities (IEP)28%
Students without disabilities83%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Language proficiency status - not applicable78%

Writing

All Students72%
Female79%
Male65%
Black (not Hispanic)n/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic70%
Multiracial74%
American Indian or Alaskan Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)73%
Free lunch eligible48%
Reduced lunch eligible71%
Students with disabilities (IEP)18%
Students without disabilities78%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Language proficiency status - not applicable73%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Colorado used the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) to test students' skills in reading, writing and mathematics in grades 3 through 10, and in science in grades 5, 8 and 10. The TSAP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Colorado. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test. The TCAP replaced the CSAP as Colorado's state assessment program effective for the 2011-2012 school year.

The different student groups are identified by the Colorado Department of Education. If there are fewer than 16 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Colorado's state standards

Source: Colorado Department of Education

Math

All Students70%
Female71%
Male69%
Black (not Hispanic)n/a
Asian83%
Hispanic47%
Multiracial73%
American Indian or Alaskan Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)73%
Free lunch eligible45%
Reduced lunch eligible57%
Not eligible for free/reduced price lunch73%
Students with disabilities (IEP)18%
Students without disabilities75%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Language proficiency status - not applicable71%

Reading

All Students78%
Female86%
Male70%
Black (not Hispanic)n/a
Asian83%
Hispanic67%
Multiracial73%
American Indian or Alaskan Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)80%
Free lunch eligible63%
Reduced lunch eligible62%
Not eligible for free/reduced price lunch80%
Students with disabilities (IEP)21%
Students without disabilities83%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Language proficiency status - not applicable79%

Science

All Students56%
Female57%
Male55%
Black (not Hispanic)n/a
Asian56%
Hispanic39%
Multiracial58%
American Indian or Alaskan Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)59%
Free lunch eligible40%
Reduced lunch eligible43%
Not eligible for free/reduced price lunch59%
Students with disabilities (IEP)8%
Students without disabilities61%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Language proficiency status - not applicable57%

Writing

All Students71%
Female81%
Male59%
Black (not Hispanic)n/a
Asian72%
Hispanic53%
Multiracial69%
American Indian or Alaskan Nativen/a
White (not Hispanic)74%
Free lunch eligible55%
Reduced lunch eligible48%
Students with disabilities (IEP)15%
Students without disabilities76%
Limited English proficiency (LEP)n/a
Language proficiency status - not applicable71%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Colorado used the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) to test students' skills in reading, writing and mathematics in grades 3 through 10, and in science in grades 5, 8 and 10. The TSAP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Colorado. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test. The TCAP replaced the CSAP as Colorado's state assessment program effective for the 2011-2012 school year.

The different student groups are identified by the Colorado Department of Education. If there are fewer than 16 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Colorado's state standards

Source: Colorado Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 85% 61%
Hispanic 8% 28%
Asian/Pacific Islander 4% 4%
Black 2% 6%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 7%N/A35%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 16N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

6651 Pine Ln Ave
Parker, CO 80138
Phone: (303) 387-3800

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