Columbia Middle School in Denver, Colorado

“i really like this school and the teachers are really cool and aren't pushy but the only reason i dont give this school five stars is that bulling problems and the princple being being really strict to students.”
This review was posted by a student.

“the school has a program where students with low grades can't go to school activites, not only does that discourage us but then they expect all the students to have school spirit. the entire curriculem is based around CSAP and the only electives are art, gym, band, orchestra, choir, spanish, computers, drama, and health. each grade has two lunches, that gives plenty of us thirty minutes with no one to talk to. some of the teachers are good but i wouldn't say that the school has a reason to brag as much as it does about how much (little) we learn or the quality of schooling.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I used to go to this school and it's a great school. Gym is hard but other than that the school is a wonderful school with great education for your child.”
This review was posted by a other.

“As a former student, the student body at this school is what bothered me the most. The teachers were pretty good, but I felt that the administration did not push the staff to challenge its students enough. The classroom setting at this school is a little too laid back and does not provide a challenging nor motivating environment in the least bit. I felt somewhat prepared for high school; but compared to my counterparts who came from Cherry creek middle schools, they were very far ahead of me at the begining of freshman year. Columbia is the best of the aurora middle schools, but overall it does not offer what it should for students.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Columbia is a great place to learn and make friends. Yes it has its problems but those come from the students. The teachers are great, they expect a lot, but they have fun with you too.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Columbia MIddle school is very horrible.My children havnt learned anyything it seems from the beginning of the year. I wouldnt recomend this school to anyone who wants their children to learn.The teachers are very rude and dont care. This school is one of the worst I seen.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As a former student at Columbia, I did not feel as if I was being challenged the way I should've been. Only two or three of my teachers, Dr. Veto is one, were awesome! Otherwise, many of my teachers were careless about student work. My algebra class got through 10 chapters, when we are supposed to get through twelve. In addition, the paraprofessionals are very rude and unwelcoming to all students. I was given a referal for forgetting to clean up my trash at school one day. My parents are sending me to Cherry Creek Schools because all three years at Columbia were a waste of time. I learned very little in my English class, because all we did was sit around and talk about our lives. CMS is decent, but I don't recomend it.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Academically the teachers are mostly good and enthusiastic. The sports programs are good. I think that most parents are motivating their children to do well in school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Columbia is a great school for learning experience, but doesnt have too many extracurricular activities, and you can only play sports if you are in seventh or eigth grade.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Columbia Middle School is horrible. There is so many different groups and not enough of people of different races other then white. This school's way of teaching has not gotten me ready for high school. And I recommend another school. Like Mrachek.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Poor quality school. While wholesome in it's academics, the students at this school are completely side tracked. The teachers I must say are excellent. They have high degrees and truly are dedicated to their teaching. But as I come to this school to look around the classrooms all of the time, cell phones, inapropriate notes, and many more distractions and problems are seen during the class period. To add to this, the stairwells at this school re horrible. This school somewhat decent when it comes to learning. I believe that new curiculum should be changed such as the connected math series. I also think that my child is not learning enough at this school compared to what students in nearby districts are learning. If you can, I recomend your child attend a different school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As a former student at this school, I didn't have a very good time. My parents transfered me to Cherry Creek Schools this year for high school,I'm very unprepared. Though I was enrolled in all honors classes, I lack knowledge of many things in my currents high school courses. While at this school, I experienced a student body that was very seperated. In addition, my teachers were very rude to me, yet when it came to parent confrences, they turned into sweet little pumpkins. The teachers barely gave homework, one of the many reasons why I am not prepared for high school. Last but not least, at least 2 electives were cancelled at this school, because the district doesn't support them; eventually the administration will be getting rid of social studies, science, and all elective courses in the next few years; would you like to attend now?”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Several changes have occured at this school, changes that just made things worse. For one, teachers are unprepared and slack commitment. My math class is several weekes behind schedule, but we get blamed for that although my math teacher has been absent 9 days this semester. In addition students are blamed for being unprepared for 8th grade, yet the seventh grade teachers never stressed anything on pre-eigth grade work; the seventh grade teachers were behind as well. Being an eigth grade student I feel that non of the students at Columbia care about education. I always would love to brag about Columbia, but in present days, what is there to brag about this school? A big drug problem has appeared at our school, why? Why is because there are only 8 e.c. activities besides sports. And while many students come to school high, teachers don't act on anything whatsoever.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school needs a lot of adjustments. Summarizing this school's problems would take a book. Two of my children are attending Columbia and both of them have had problems with the student body. My child was offered a bag of weed in the middle of his social studies class. To add to this, my children are not learning enough. Everything is a sinch to them and it is not because of their intelligence, it's because they are not challenged. The connected math book series are taken too seriously. My daugters seventh grade advanced math class is one book behind schedule, and my son's algebra class is two chapters behind as well. Lastly, the staff members are not commited. My children will be transfering a.s.a.p.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Terrible school. The teachers are non-caring. My son's math and language arts classes are at least two weekes behind schedule, something that has happened all three years. Though my son is in advanced english and honors algebra, he has not been challenged whatsoever this year.Everything has been way too easy. In addition, the administration is not big on extra curicular actvities. Especially in the 8th grade, students are getting into more trouble in and outside of school because they do not have extra actvities as school to particpate in. My child does not feel safe at school. APS is not focused on giving students a good education. I do not suggest this school at all. My child will definately be transfering out of this school district this semester.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Columbia is marvelous. Test scores, excellent. Academics,very good. Yet there are things to complain about. Staff members are not good with giving homework. I have an 8th,7th grade students at this school. I am satisfied with the curiculum, but homework each night is not enough.30 minutes of homework nightly total isn't good for high school preparation. I deem my children need more challenging work. More homework and so forth. I've concluded the advanced classes having a decent homework amount, but standard classes do not have enough. My son's advanced Language Arts class is challenging with lots of homework verses my daughters simple LA class with 10 minutes of homework nightly. My daughters science teacher has students do bookwork and questions everyday with no homework. Despite some staff and students, this school is amazing and recomend it, but I warn you with caution to make sure your child's w/ a good teacher!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Columbia is overall excellent but bad in a few ways. First, staff members at this school are completly rude. They have no respect whatsoever towards students. I do not support the hiring of staff members at this school. My childs former science teacher would always not care. He would have students take notes on a chapter in the textbook, answer 4 comprehension questions, then give a test later in the when the chapter's done. Also, my childs 7th grade social studies teacher would talk too much and get off the subject many times. He gave grades that were unreasonable and emails and calls that I left about my child were left unreturned. Last, there are not enough e.c. activities at all. Besides sports, only 4 or 5 after school clubs are offered. I would love for my child to be in after school activies depsite sports, but he doen't get oppurtunity.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I can see changes in the students at this school. Students are beginning to get itno a sense of not caring for educatoin unlike previous classes. In this year's class of 8th graders, I have seen a significant change of personality from when they were in sixth grade. There is more segregation with black and white students. There are more arguments between students. I have noticed students begining to disobey rules lacking punishment. Administration needs to do some more things with safety. Many people of Aurora Public Schools work crews walk around the building looking strange with no I.D. The administration also does not punish students fairly. Students who do well, follow rules and such, get into trouble. Yet, my child witnessed a fight in which the person did not recieve supsension. Academically, this school is awesome. But it has taken a large decline in terms of tests and disiplinary concepts.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Columbia is a very good school. It performs well on CSAP and truly helps students to improve. My third child just finished 8th grade at Columbia and leanred more then I ever thoguht you could learn. My older two children went on to Rangeview and Smoky Hill High Schools more then prepared. Columbia provides wonderful extra curicular activities especially student council. In addition, the elective program at Columbia has a wide variety of courses that are really helpful to students such as, Band, IT, Home Economics, Foreighn Language, Computers, Gym, and many other great electives. I commend CMS for its excellence through the years that my children experienced middle school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am so glad that many people told me about this website because I am proud to post a comment about the wonderful Columbia MS. After switching my daughter to Columbia, I saw a big change in her learning. She came home with more homework practice every night and showed a lot of growth in her classes. In addition, she said that the CSAP test that she took in seventh grade was very very easy to her because she felt prepared, she was not even enrolled in advanced courses. There are also less fights at this school then her former school. She said she feels safer in the community that she is in and has made a lot of friends. In addition, my son attends Columbia and is involved in many extra curicular clubs and activies. Keep up the good work Columbia Cougars!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I currently have two children at Columbia, and I tell you that I have never been so satisfied with a school. While the kids enjoy attending this school, I also enjoy the curiculum that is used at this school. What I like the most about Columbia is the teachers. The teachers here care about their students education and they go at great lengths to help their students achieve, and at the same time they teach students about responsibility. The principal leadership at this school is awesome. Mr. Stevens and the rest of the administration are wonderful people. In addition, Columbia offers a lot of extra curicular activies that are truly a factor in the school's high performing test scores. Columbia is a great school!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Columbia is the only middle school in APS that I would recomend. It teaches students responsibility and respect. My child had tons of fun at this school. I am surprised that they do not consider Columbia a high school, due to its strong academic program. Even the students in regular standard classes, learn bits and pieces of higher grade level curriculum that prepares them for the next grade. CSAP scores at this school have continuously been above average. In addition to that, the extra curicular activities are awesome at this school. If you are looking for a school that will surely support your childs education, here it is. Continue to make the community proud Columbia Cougars!”
This review was posted by a student.

“The principal at this scholl has great leadership by being involved and it shows! The teachers are proud to be apart of a great school. It's my childs 1st year here and I would not want to go anywhere else. Columbia is a fantastic school.”
This review was posted by a parent.