For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 3,725 students in Golden, CO. The top-ranked public middle schools in Golden, CO are Manning Options School, Golden View Classical Academy and Jefferson Academy Coal Creek Canyon. 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 52% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Golden, CO (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: 6-8 | 685 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
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
Gr: K-12 | 737 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Jefferson Academy Coal Creek Canyon
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
11719 Ranch Elsie Road
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-3409
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-3409
Gr: PK-8 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: 6-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #66.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 774 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #77.
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
Gr: PK-8 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: PK-12 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #99.
Connections Learning Center On The Earle Johnson Campus
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
Gr: 6-9 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
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 Jefferson Academy Coal Creek Canyon. Golden has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Colorado.
How many public middle schools are located in Golden?
10 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 52% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Golden are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Golden include: Connections Learning Center On The Earle Johnson Campus vs. Jeffco Virtual Academy, Manning Options School vs. Bell Middle School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.