Mountain View Core Knowledge School Ranks No. 20 Among Colorado Middle Schools
CANON CITY, Colo. — September 22, 2026 — Mountain View Core Knowledge School’s (MVCKS’s) middle school has earned a place among the highest-performing schools in Colorado, ranking No. 20 out of 659 schools statewide based on the Colorado Department of Education’s 2026 one-year Middle School Performance Framework calculation.
MVCKS earned an overall middle school SPF score of 88.9%, placing it in approximately the 97th percentile statewide. The Colorado median was 56.8%.
The academic results, however, tell only part of the story. They follow six years of deliberate work by middle school teachers, staff and students to build a school culture where students feel connected, take ownership of their learning and play an active role in maintaining a positive and healthy environment.
Using results from its first YouthTruth student perception survey, the middle school team conducted root-cause analysis, developed action plans, invested in professional learning and created greater opportunities for student voice and choice. The school also established its House System, a positive behavior incentive and school culture program. Teachers and staff devoted significant additional time to turning those strategies into everyday practices.
Principal Karen Sartori says, “We have always believed that students are better positioned to learn and achieve when they feel known, connected and invested in their school community. These results reflect years of intentional work by our teachers, staff and students to create that kind of environment.”
The results have shown up not only academically, but in how students experience their school. In last year’s YouthTruth survey, MVCKS ranked No. 1 among 865 participating schools across the United States.
“We believe a strong and healthy school culture creates the conditions for academic success,” says Sartori. “Seeing both reflected in these results reinforces the work we’ve been doing, and we’re committed to building on that progress.”
About Mountain View Core Knowledge School
Mountain View Core Knowledge School (MVCKS) is a preschool-8th grade public charter school authorized by Cañon City School District RE-1. Grounded in the Core Knowledge Sequence, MVCKS provides a rigorous, multidisciplinary education with Spanish in every grade and enrichment in art, music, physical education and more. Our students have access to over 30 elective offerings, allowing them to explore their interests and discover new passions. A full-time teacher and a dedicated assistant are in each classroom, ensuring personalized support, small class sizes and a strong, family involvement that reinforces the school’s commitment to academic excellence and a positive school culture.