Top Rankings
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 40 public schools serving 19,753 students in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in Colorado.
Public Schools in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Colorado public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CO)
# Schools
44 Schools
1,898 Schools
# Students
19,753 Students
865,055 Students
# Teachers
1,199 Teachers
52,637 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 176 school districts in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has decreased from 81% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#65 out of 179 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)23%
29%
Graduation Rate
80%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.46
0.63
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
25%
37%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
69%
49%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,245 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,520. The school district revenue/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,706 is less than the state median of $15,839. The school district spending/student has declined by 9% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$281 MM
$13,426 MM
Spending
$271 MM
$13,702 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,245
$15,520
Spending / Student
$13,706
$15,839
Best Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Scenic Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
451 West Scenic Dr
Grand Junction, CO 81507
(970) 254-6370
Grand Junction, CO 81507
(970) 254-6370
Gr: K-5 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
New Emerson School At Columbus
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2660 Unaweep Ave
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-6500
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-6500
Gr: K-5 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Wingate Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
351 South Camp Road
Grand Junction, CO 81507
(970) 254-4960
Grand Junction, CO 81507
(970) 254-4960
Gr: PK-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Broadway Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2248 Broadway
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-6430
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-6430
Gr: PK-5 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Redlands Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2200 Broadway
Grand Junction, CO 81507
(970) 254-7000
Grand Junction, CO 81507
(970) 254-7000
Gr: 6-8 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Appleton Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2358 H Road
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-6400
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-6400
Gr: PK-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Mesa Valley Community School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
609 25 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-7202
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-7202
Gr: 6-12 | 178 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Gateway School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
42575 Highway 141
Gateway, CO 81522
(970) 254-7080
Gateway, CO 81522
(970) 254-7080
Gr: PK-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #99.
Monument Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1501 K.4 Rd
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-5100
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-5100
Gr: PK-5 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1010.
Fruita Monument High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1102 Wildcat Ave
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6600
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,427 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Dual Immersion Academy School
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
552 A West Main Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6070
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6070
Gr: PK-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Tope Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2220 N 7th St
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-7070
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-7070
Gr: PK-5 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1313.
Mesa View Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2967 B Road
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-7970
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-7970
Gr: PK-5 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1414.
Orchard Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1800 Orchard Ave
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-7560
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-7560
Gr: PK-5 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1515.
Taylor Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
689 Brentwood Dr
Palisade, CO 81526
(970) 254-4870
Palisade, CO 81526
(970) 254-4870
Gr: PK-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1616.
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2888 B1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-7940
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-7940
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1717.
Shelledy Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
353 North Mesa
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6460
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6460
Gr: PK-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Chatfield Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3188 D1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-4930
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-4930
Gr: PK-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Rim Rock Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1810 J 6 Road
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6770
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6770
Gr: PK-5 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2020.
Independence Academy
Charter School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
675 29 Rd
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-6850
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-6850
Gr: PK-8 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2121.
Pomona Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
588 25-1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-4990
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-4990
Gr: PK-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2222.
Central High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3130 E1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-6200
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,352 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Loma Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1360 13 Road
Loma, CO 81524
(970) 254-6520
Loma, CO 81524
(970) 254-6520
Gr: PK-5 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
West Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
123 W Orchard Ave
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-5090
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-5090
Gr: 6-8 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2525.
Chipeta Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
950 Chipeta Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6825
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6825
Gr: PK-5 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2626.
Fruita Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1835 J Rd
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6570
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6570
Gr: 6-8 | 690 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2727.
Fruitvale Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
585 30 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-5930
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-5930
Gr: PK-5 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2828.
Dos Rios Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
265 Linden Ave
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-7910
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-7910
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2929.
Mount Garfield Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3475 Front Street
Clifton, CO 81520
(970) 254-4720
Clifton, CO 81520
(970) 254-4720
Gr: 6-8 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #3030.
Thunder Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3063 F1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-5870
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-5870
Gr: PK-5 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #3131.
Bookcliff Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2935 Orchard Ave
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-6220
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-6220
Gr: 6-8 | 525 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3232.
Pear Park Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
432 30 1/4 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-5960
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-5960
Gr: PK-5 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #3333.
Orchard Mesa Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2736 Unaweep Ave #a
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-6320
Grand Junction, CO 81503
(970) 254-6320
Gr: 6-8 | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #3434.
Nisley Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
543 28-3/4 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-5900
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-5900
Gr: PK-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #3535.
Rocky Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3260 D1/2 Road
Clifton, CO 81520
(970) 254-4900
Clifton, CO 81520
(970) 254-4900
Gr: PK-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Show 5 more public schools in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 (out of 40 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Mesa County Valley School District No. 51?
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 manages 40 public schools serving 19,753 students.
What is the rank of Mesaunty Valley School District No. 51?
Mesaunty Valley School District No. 51 is ranked #74 out of 176 school districts in Colorado (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Colorado school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Mesaunty Valley School District No. 51?
69% of Mesaunty Valley School District No. 51 students are White, 25% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Mesaunty Valley School District No. 51?
Mesaunty Valley School District No. 51 has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is equal to the Colorado state average of 16:1.
What is Mesaunty Valley School District No. 51's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,706 is less than the state median of $15,839. The school district spending/student has declined by 9% over four school years.
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
