Sunset Middle School

Summary:

Sunset Middle School is a public middle school located in Longmont, Colorado, serving 377 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the St. Vrain Valley School District, which is ranked 33 out of 116 districts in Colorado and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sunset Middle School stands out from its neighboring schools in several key ways. The school has a higher percentage of Hispanic students (51.19%) compared to the surrounding schools, which tend to have a higher percentage of White students. Additionally, Sunset Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Colorado middle schools, with a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger, lower than the higher-ranked and higher-rated Angevine Middle School, Nevin Platt Middle School, and other nearby schools. Academically, Sunset Middle School's performance, as measured by CMAS test scores, is significantly lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas, with only 19.4% of students proficient or better in CMAS Math, compared to 42.5% for the district and 34.2% for the state.

The data suggests that the academic performance gap between Sunset Middle School and the surrounding schools is widening over time, with the school's test scores declining or stagnating while the district and state averages have remained relatively stable or improved. This may be related to the school's high percentage of students (over 50%) who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-income families compared to the neighboring schools. Addressing these challenges will likely require a multi-faceted approach that considers the unique needs of Sunset Middle School's diverse student population and leverages the resources and expertise available within the St. Vrain Valley School District.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 1300 S. Sunset
       Longmont, CO  80501-6528


(303) 776-3963

District: St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J

SchoolDigger Rank:
307th of 485 Colorado Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,701 Help


Students who attend Sunset Middle School usually attend:

High:    Niwot High School

Feeder schools for Sunset Middle School:

Elementary:    Burlington Elementary School
    Indian Peaks Elementary School
    Niwot Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.3 Help
Number of students:  377

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
51.2%
White:
43.0%
Asian:
2.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  56.8% Help


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 Compare Sunset Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Sunset Middle School ranks worse than 63.3% of middle schools in Colorado. It also ranks 6th among 8 ranked middle schools in the St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 30.37. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Sunset Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sunset Middle School is $17,701, which is the highest among 8 middle schools in the St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Sunset Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Sunset Middle School 307th of 485 Colorado public middle schools. (See Sunset Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J:

SchoolDigger ranks St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J 33rd of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Sunset Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Sunset Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 69.85 98th 336 70.8%
2005 69.10 104th 340 69.4%
2006 75.79 80th 346 76.9%
2007 70.58 93rd 360 74.2%
2008 70.37 95th 362 73.8%
2009 64.73 127th 377 66.3%
2010 64.68 140th 409 65.8%
2011 64.84 146th 422 65.4%
2012 58.24 184th 425 56.7%
2013 55.06 208th 454 54.2%
2014 58.85 174th 461 62.3%
2015 45.85 210th 436 51.8%
2016 41.49 216th 400 46.0%
2017 37.88 244th 424 42.5%
2018 38.03 244th 418 41.6%
2019 38.25 271st 458 40.8%
2021 25.93 285th 369 22.8%
2022 27.95 301st 448 32.8%
2023 33.31 297th 480 38.1%
2024 30.37 307th 485 36.7%
See the entire list of Colorado Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Sunset Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.78 206th 222 7.2%
2019 14.54 231st 240 3.8%
2022 18.28 184th 197 6.6%
2023 17.06 228th 241 5.4%
2024 20.89 207th 244 15.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Sunset Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.18 205th 315 34.9%
2019 33.18 229th 352 34.9%
2021 26.38 189th 254 25.6%
2022 21.31 254th 326 22.1%
2023 23.68 262nd 363 27.8%
2024 31.82 221st 350 36.9%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Sunset Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.88 75th 121 38.0%
2019 58.54 60th 134 55.2%
2023 39.79 91st 125 27.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Sunset Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.22 170th 317 46.4%
2019 37.62 200th 343 41.7%
2021 18.61 223rd 249 10.4%
2022 26.61 223rd 328 32.0%
2023 35.16 210th 356 41.0%
2024 28.74 242nd 357 32.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Sunset Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 13.45 208th 220 5.5%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Sunset Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.39 75th 199 62.3%
2019 54.25 112th 283 60.4%
2022 38.91 167th 265 37.0%
2023 55.96 115th 286 59.8%
2024 38.01 166th 273 39.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Sunset Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Colorado Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Sunset Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 719 6 27 51 6 n/a n/a 0 809
1989 696 6 24 60 3 n/a n/a 0 789
1990 688 6 26 43 4 n/a n/a 0 767
1991 717 8 16 52 7 n/a n/a 0 800
1992 649 4 7 46 6 n/a n/a 0 712
1993 636 2 13 49 0 n/a n/a 0 700
1994 641 3 20 61 2 n/a n/a 0 727
1995 638 1 19 86 7 n/a n/a 0 751
1996 638 1 19 86 7 n/a n/a 0 751
1997 627 2 19 84 5 n/a n/a 0 737
1998 643 3 23 104 1 n/a n/a 0 774
1999 662 2 26 94 2 n/a n/a 0 786
2000 656 6 31 104 0 n/a n/a 0 797
2001 639 6 30 97 1 n/a n/a 0 773
2002 535 1 13 115 6 n/a n/a 0 670
2003 535 1 13 115 6 n/a n/a 0 670
2004 573 6 14 124 4 n/a n/a 0 721
2005 558 6 16 136 1 n/a n/a 0 717
2006 529 6 18 126 3 n/a n/a 0 682
2007 463 14 19 127 7 n/a n/a 0 630
2008 443 10 16 130 8 n/a n/a 0 607
2009 434 10 17 154 6 n/a n/a 0 621
2010 407 7 15 179 2 n/a n/a 0 610
2011 382 5 16 190 4 2 4 0 603
2012 342 6 16 207 3 3 4 0 581
2013 345 7 13 210 6 3 8 0 592
2014 309 8 13 258 2 5 13 0 608
2015 312 4 13 243 3 4 14 0 593
2016 315 3 13 245 3 3 12 0 594
2017 288 2 13 230 2 2 10 0 547
2018 273 1 8 229 1 1 9 0 522
2019 239 2 8 219 2 2 10 0 482
2020 211 6 7 215 3 1 10 0 453
2021 187 5 9 219 0 0 10 0 430
2022 160 7 9 208 1 0 10 0 395
2023 162 4 9 193 2 0 7 0 377

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Sunset Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 809 40.1 20.1 n/a
1989 789 37.8 20.8 5.3
1990 767 39.2 19.5 5.5
1991 800 42.1 19.0 5.9
1992 712 37.0 19.2 7.2
1993 700 34.3 20.4 9.7
1994 727 36.0 20.2 9.4
1995 751 37.5 20.0 12
1996 751 37.5 20.0 12
1997 737 40.0 18.4 11.7
1998 774 38.1 20.3 9.4
1999 786 41.2 19.1 7.8
2000 797 41.4 19.3 13.7
2001 773 42.3 18.3 11.6
2002 670 36.4 18.4 16.1
2003 670 36.4 18.4 16.1
2004 721 37.7 19.1 11.8
2005 717 34.9 20.5 14.5
2006 682 35.1 19.4 20.1
2007 630 32.3 19.5 24.8
2008 607 31.2 19.5 25.2
2009 621 30.6 20.3 27.4
2010 610 35.2 17.3 34.9
2011 603 35.2 17.1 36.2
2012 581 33.0 17.6 39.2
2013 592 31.8 18.5 42.4
2014 608 33.6 18.0 52.3
2015 593 34.0 17.4 43.3
2016 594 32.0 18.5 43.9
2017 547 32.5 16.8 47.3
2018 522 31.5 16.5 46.4
2019 482 29.0 16.6 41.1
2020 453 27.9 16.1 48.1
2021 430 28.5 15.0 55.8
2022 395 28.5 13.8 53.4
2023 377 26.3 14.3 56.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Sunset Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 809 40.1 20.1 n/a
1989 789 37.8 20.8 5.3
1990 767 39.2 19.5 5.5
1991 800 42.1 19.0 5.9
1992 712 37.0 19.2 7.2
1993 700 34.3 20.4 9.7
1994 727 36.0 20.2 9.4
1995 751 37.5 20.0 12
1996 751 37.5 20.0 12
1997 737 40.0 18.4 11.7
1998 774 38.1 20.3 9.4
1999 786 41.2 19.1 7.8
2000 797 41.4 19.3 13.7
2001 773 42.3 18.3 11.6
2002 670 36.4 18.4 16.1
2003 670 36.4 18.4 16.1
2004 721 37.7 19.1 11.8
2005 717 34.9 20.5 14.5
2006 682 35.1 19.4 20.1
2007 630 32.3 19.5 24.8
2008 607 31.2 19.5 25.2
2009 621 30.6 20.3 27.4
2010 610 35.2 17.3 34.9
2011 603 35.2 17.1 36.2
2012 581 33.0 17.6 39.2
2013 592 31.8 18.5 42.4
2014 608 33.6 18.0 52.3
2015 593 34.0 17.4 43.3
2016 594 32.0 18.5 43.9
2017 547 32.5 16.8 47.3
2018 522 31.5 16.5 46.4
2019 482 29.0 16.6 41.1
2020 453 27.9 16.1 48.1
2021 430 28.5 15.0 55.8
2022 395 28.5 13.8 53.4
2023 377 26.3 14.3 56.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sunset Middle School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $12,564
2020 $13,502
2021 $13,789
2022 $15,755
2023 $17,701

Data source: Colorado Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sunset Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 271st of 458 Middle schoolsRanks 297th of 480 Middle schools
 2.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Middle School)34.638.2
 3.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J)45.848.4
 2.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)43.643.4
 0.2%
6th Grade Math (Sunset Middle School)1824.3
 6.3%
   6th Grade Math (St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J)33.335.3
 2%
   6th Grade Math (Colorado)29.528.2
 1.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Middle School)4136
 5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J)50.852.1
 1.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.545
 1.5%
7th Grade Math (Sunset Middle School)32.317
 15.3%
   7th Grade Math (St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J)36.631.1
 5.5%
   7th Grade Math (Colorado)31.626.3
 5.3%
8th Grade Science (Sunset Middle School)30.926.8
 4.1%
   8th Grade Science (St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J)39.137.3
 1.8%
   8th Grade Science (Colorado)31.531.3
 0.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Middle School)46.434.4
 12%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J)54.146
 8.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.942.4
 4.5%
8th Grade Math (Sunset Middle School)2622.1
 3.9%
   8th Grade Math (St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J)44.940.9
 4%
   8th Grade Math (Colorado)36.932.7
 4.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Sunset Middle School)40.936
 4.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J)49.449.2
 0.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Sunset Middle School)25.921.1
 4.8%
   All Grades Math (St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J)39.940.4
 0.5%
   All Grades Math (Colorado)34.732.9
 1.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students482377
 21.8%
African American24
 100%
American Indian22
Asian89
 12.5%
Hispanic219193
 11.9%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White239162
 32.2%
Two or More Races107
 30%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients41.1%56.8%
 15.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Sunset Middle School

Sunset Middle School ranks 307th of 485 Colorado middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 377 students attended Sunset Middle School.

Students who attend Sunset Middle School usually go on to attend Niwot High School

Students at Sunset Middle School are 51% Hispanic, 43% White, 2% Asian, 2% Two or more races, 1% African American.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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