For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 1,416 students in Otero County, CO.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Otero County, CO are Swink Junior-senior High School, Fowler Junior High School and Cheraw School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Otero County, CO public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Colorado public middle school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 43% statewide average). Middle schools in Otero County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Colorado public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public middle school average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Otero County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Swink Junior-senior High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
610 Columbia Street
Swink, CO 81077
(719) 384-8103
Swink, CO 81077
(719) 384-8103
Gr: 6-12 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Fowler Junior High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
601 West Grant
Fowler, CO 81039
(719) 263-4224
Fowler, CO 81039
(719) 263-4224
Gr: 7-8 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Cheraw School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
110 Lakeview Avenue
Cheraw, CO 81030
(719) 853-6655
Cheraw, CO 81030
(719) 853-6655
Gr: PK-12 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #44.
Tiger Trades Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1401 East 6th Stree
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 363-1504
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 363-1504
Gr: 5-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #55.
Rocky Ford Junior/senior High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
100 West Washington
Rocky Ford, CO 81067
(719) 254-7431
Rocky Ford, CO 81067
(719) 254-7431
Gr: 7-12 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #66.
Manzanola Junior-senior High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
32475 County Road 11.5
Manzanola, CO 80158
(719) 462-5528
Manzanola, CO 80158
(719) 462-5528
Gr: 6-12 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #77.
La Junta Jr/sr High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1817 Smithland Ave
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-4467
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-4467
Gr: 7-12 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Otero County, CO?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Otero County, CO include Swink Junior-senior High School, Fowler Junior High School and Cheraw School.
How many public middle schools are located in Oterounty?
7 public middle schools are located in Oterounty.
What is the racial composition of students in Oterounty?
Oterounty public middle schools minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public middle schools average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Oterounty are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Oterounty include: La Junta Jr/sr High School vs. Rocky Ford Junior/senior High School, Rocky Ford Junior/senior High School vs. La Junta Jr/sr High 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.