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 2025-26 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 6,308 students in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. This district's average high testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public high schools in Colorado.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø High Schools in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Colorado public high school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 53% statewide average).
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø High School in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 have a Graduation Rate of 80%, which is less than the Colorado average of 82%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Fruita Monument High School, with 92% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Colorado or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public high school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CO)
# Schools
45 Schools
552 Schools
# Students
19,487 Students
325,938 Students
# Teachers
1,189 Teachers
18,376 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
0.62
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
25%
36%
% Black
n/a
4%
% White
69%
51%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,439 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,473. The school district revenue/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,893 is less than the state median of $15,791. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$281 MM
$13,426 MM
Spending
$271 MM
$13,702 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,439
$15,473
Spending / Student
$13,893
$15,791
Best Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø High Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #22.
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 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
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: 10-12 | 1,273 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Palisade High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3679 G Road
Palisade, CO 81526
(970) 254-4800
Palisade, CO 81526
(970) 254-4800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,069 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #55.
Grand Junction High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1400 N 5th St
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6900
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6900
Gr: 9-12 | 1,590 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
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 | 1,443 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #77.
Grand River Academy
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
600 N 14th St
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-5343
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-5343
Gr: K-12 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #88.
R-5 High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
455 N. 22nd St.ste. B
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6880
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6880
Gr: 9-12 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: n/an/a
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center
Alternative School
360 28 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 242-8445
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 242-8445
Gr: 5-12 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 60%
Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.

Best School Match 2025: ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.

ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.