Skinner Middle School

3435 West 40th Avenue

School District

Denver County 1
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Denver County 1 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 25, 2024

We are super happy with Skinner and love that it is our neighborhood school. The administration has been very responsive when we have reached out, including a class change request and some help with a peer situation. The social justice department worked quickly when our son felt intimidated by another student. The problem went from fear to "everything is fine, don't worry Mom" in two hours and never resurfaced. We also appreciate the school's diversity.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2024

My kid is an eight grader at Skinner this year and I have seen her grow not only as a student but also as a person. Skinner offers a positive environment where school administration and teachers work together to ensure all kids are thriving. I'm grateful my kid has been able to attend Skinner for her middle school education.
Submitted by student on October 20, 2023

The only good part of this school is the band. The office workers are some of the most incompetent people I've met. They won't write you passes even when you clearly deserve one. The lunch is disgusting and makes me sick to even look at. They expect us to get from one side of the building to the other and use the bathroom in 3 minutes. The rules at this school are very stupid, for example you can't bring a phone to class. The social staff makes me very angry and I won't be talking to them again. The teachers are nice but none of the office staff or social support people are. Don't come here.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2023

This is our second year at Skinner and as an involved parent, I am so impressed by the continued support and dedication of the staff to these kids. Our son has embraced middle school better than we ever expected and is thriving both educationally and socially. We couldn’t be happier our son is there and look forward to our daughter attending in the near future.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2023

Our two daughters have really enjoyed Skinner! They love their well-rounded classes and their teachers. The communication from administration has been refreshing as we always feel we know what is going on. They really make sure 6th graders are ready for the big change to middle school and we feel our children are safe in this community-minded school. We have been very impressed with their thoughtful teachers.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2023

I've been a parent at Skinner for 5 years now, and I have always appreciated the school and staff. They spend a great deal of time thinking bout how to create a kind and caring student body (very different from my middle school experience). And both my boys loved the elective classes, including music, gym, woodworking, home ec, art, and spanish.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2023

From teachers to leadership, all staff could not be any more supportive of the students' growth, both socially and academically. We are so thrilled, and fortunate, to have such an amazing neighborhood school!
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2023

My daughter is happy at Skinner - her teacher are finding ways to stretch her learning and help her grow, parents have opportunities to be involved, and the administration seems responsive and sensitive to community needs.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2023

Our two sons chose their neighborhood school and we are so thankful that we listened to them. We wanted them to attend the smaller Montessori Jr/Sr High School to continue their Montessori education but they begged us to let them attend Skinner. They were right, we were wrong. Skinner provided our boys not just with a solid education that prepared them to thrive in high school, but also inclusive and enjoyable activities, sports, and clubs that allowed them to find their people. These friendships helped them in their transition to high school and enjoy their high school years. They thrived in high school and are freshmen in college. We are so grateful to the teachers and staff at Skinner who even took the time to discuss our boys with the teachers and staff at North to ensure a smooth transition.
Submitted by student on February 24, 2023

as a current student, this place is a living hell. if you love your kids, you should not send your kids here. there is this ASININE rule where the stairs are seperated by grade. (6th graders can use 6th grade stairs, so on). Barely any counselers here and the 3 that are here are very rude and seem like their sole purpose is to make students want to crawl into a hole and die. We barely get any time in between passing periods. The library is essentially one big decoration. The so-called "FIELD" is nothing but patches of grass here and there. The vice principal is incredibly rude. Overall rating? -10/10. GO TO MCAULIFFE IF YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN
Submitted by student on January 17, 2023

it is a cool school with lots of history however some teachers are not the greatest and seem like they target people
Submitted by student on October 11, 2022

i was just GREAT I had a lot of fun and the kids are so nice
Submitted by student on October 02, 2018

Unless your child has a thick skin, or has the ability to not care what others say, id say dont enroll them at this school. There are plenty of insensitive students that dont care for their peers. The homework puts a delay on any form of social life or free time. Just happy that this is my last year
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2018

Horrible. I don’t know how people are rating this school a 5. The faculty especially the office ladies ( and gym teacher) are extremely rude. It’s so disgusting how unwelcoming this school is. They even yell at you. My daughter came home crying because of how uncomfortable she felt. Alot of the students here say they wish they could leave. My child was there for about 2 months and I’m glad I took her out. The school enrolls more and more students each year to receive more funding from the government which is why you can’t even walk through the school. Please don’t take your child here if you care about their well being and education.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2018

Our second son is about to complete his time at Skinner Middle School. We are completely satisfied with our time at Skinner.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2018

Highly! Both my kids were well prepared for High School.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2018

My son is doing great at Skinner. The communication is fantastic - weekly updates from the school, weekly progress reports and his teachers have reached out with their contact information. There are so many opportunities for students to try new things - sports, clubs, electives. This school has so much to offer!
Submitted by student on May 15, 2017

Don't get me wrong most of my teachers are amazing! But some of them are just mean! In one of my classes (I will not be saying which class) Everyone walks in to a already mad teacher, she takes it out on us even though we where not the ones that made her mad. And the teachers have no empathy for the kids that have social anxiety all that matters to them us that we present in front of the intire class. And don't get me started on the dress code! Black or white shirt and blue jeans, parents have to buy new clothes for students all the time and I know that some parents don't have the money for this, Let kids be themselves! As a quote says on the side of the building "Why fit in when you where born to stand out" clearly just trying to make the parents think that the school is just amazing. The Lunch time is 25 Minutes Definitely not enough to eat and get out our energy, there is also assigned seats so if you don't get seated with friends you are forced to sit with random people which is happening to me at the moment you have 2 options break the rules and sit with someone else or stare down at your food and feel uncomfortable. U also heard from a friend that the gym teacher made the students do a huge work out she said that one of the kids looked like he was about to faint yet the teacher didn't do anything about it. The hallway on the bottom floor is always crowded it makes it extremely difficult to get to the 3rd level on time. Take my advice parents chose a different school
Submitted by student on April 25, 2016

This is a really silly school. I see that it was much better when koyama wasn't running the circus, and students got to socialize, go on fieldtrips, etc. Our new principal has the most redicolous dresscode. Black or white shirts with jeans jean shorts. Or expensive skinner clothes that the school wants to sell desperately because their funding is probably pretty horrible. There's a pajama day at that school. ALL YOU GET TO WEAR IS A 20 DOLLAR PAIR OF SWEATPANTS WITH AN S LOGO IRONED INTO THE SIDE! What?! And the community couldn't be worse. Defiant kids that want attention disrupt classes, ruin all the fun, etc. You'd think their parents would give them some discipline, BUT NO! I hate it over there. Hate it. Behavior never changes, koyama let's some teachers bully around their students, and bullies her students herself. There's some teachers that they let go as far to validate EVERYONE'S test score if someone's phone goes off. Even if its in somebodies locker outside the room. Makes total sense. IT'S MIDDLE SCHOOL, NOT A BOOT CAMP! You cant wear hoodies or jackets during class hours and you got 25 minutes of lunch. Our entire school day is learning. I hate it. We went in 1 field trip this entire year, but they act as if 6th grade is college over there. I can see why students act out. If your another student and everyone thinks skinner is the perfect school and you should go there, it's not. It's the exact opposite. My friends and I really regret coming here! Don't waste your time here like I did. Go to a school like lake, or strive instead. Parents, please tell your kids of they want to go here to consider their options heavily. Please. I don't want them to experience what I do daily.
Submitted by other on November 29, 2014

My school is a grate school. when people walk in the school you an feel safe. The teachers are always listening to the children. Its a school which students can really focus on learning. I really recommend parents to bring their kids hear. They prepare them for when they get into high school and collage.