For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 3,646 students in Golden, CO. The top ranked public middle schools in Golden, CO are Manning Options School, Golden View Classical Academy and Lookout Mountain. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Golden, CO public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Colorado public middle school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 43% statewide average). Middle schools in Golden have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Colorado public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public middle school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Golden, CO (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Manning Options School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
13200 West 32nd Place
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6340
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6340
Grades: 6-8
| 685 students
Rank: #22.
Golden View Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
601 Corporate Circle
Golden, CO 80401
(720) 598-6700
Golden, CO 80401
(720) 598-6700
Grades: K-12
| 743 students
Rank: #33.
Lookout Mountain
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2901 Ford Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: #44.
Gilpin County Undivided High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10595 Highway 119
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Grades: 6-12
| 204 students
Rank: #55.
Bell Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1001 Ulysses Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4280
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4280
Grades: 6-8
| 751 students
Rank: #66.
Free Horizon Montessori
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
15920 W 10th Ave
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5921
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5921
Grades: PK-8
| 373 students
Rank: #77.
Compass Montessori - Golden Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4441 Salvia Street
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 271-1977
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 271-1977
Grades: PK-12
| 422 students
Rank: #88.
Jeffco Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1829 Denver West Drive Bldg #2
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Grades: 6-12
| 441 students
Rank: #99.
Connections Learning Center On The Earle Johnson C
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1200 Johnson Road
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7004
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7004
Grades: 6-9
| 27 students
Golden, Colorado Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
11719 Ranch Elsie Road
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-3409
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-3409
Grades: K-8
| 79 students
Gilpin County Alternative School (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
10595 Highway 119
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-9975
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-9975
Grades: 9-12
| 15 students
10595 Highway 119
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Grades: 1-3
| 15 students
1829 Denver West Drive
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
1829 Denver West Drive
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Grades: K-6
| 34 students
13950 West 20th Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5928
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5928
Grades: PK
| 40 students
15920 West 10th Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5921
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5921
Grades: PK-6
| 275 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Golden, CO?
The top ranked public middle schools in Golden, CO include Manning Options School, Golden View Classical Academy and Lookout Mountain. Golden has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Colorado.
How many public middle schools are located in Golden?
9 public middle schools are located in Golden.
What is the racial composition of students in Golden?
Golden public middle schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public middle schools average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Golden are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Golden include: Manning Options School vs. Bell Middle School, Connections Learning Center On The Earle Johnson C vs. Jeffco Virtual Academy, Bell Middle School vs. Manning Options School
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