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Schools in Fruitvale · Mesa County Valley School District 51

Fruitvale’s public schools outscore 58% of Colorado districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Fruitvale, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Colorado, not nationally.

#98of 159 Colorado townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Colorado state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
41%
▼ 4 pts vs CO 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
28%
▼ 4 pts vs CO 32%
2021–22
Graduate on time
81%
▼ 2 pts vs CO 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.6K
▼ 14% vs CO $15.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.5
CO 16.3
Schools in town
4
2,260 students on the public path
In brief

Fruitvale’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 145 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Fruitvale’s, its schools beat 47%, lower than their 58% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 45% and 32% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,648 per student, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Grand Mesa Middle School, then Central High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Ascent Classical Academy of Grand Junction is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Fruitvale’s grade

B Test scoresC Graduation

B: better than 58% of Colorado school districts, #98 of 159 Colorado towns. Both inputs trail the Colorado average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Colorado school districts we grade (169)Better than 58%
Lower resultsHigher results
Colorado towns with similar household incomes (145)Better than 47%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 9,836 test results and a graduating class of 1,635 could put Fruitvale anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 92% of Fruitvale’s students in the tested grades sat them (9,818 in math, 9,855 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Fruitvale, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Thunder Mountain Elementary SchoolMesa County Valley School District 51C−
6–8Grand Mesa Middle SchoolMesa County Valley School District 51C
9–12Central High SchoolMesa County Valley School District 51B−

Fruitvale’s public schools are run by Mesa County Valley School District 51, which also serves Fruita, Grand Junction and Palisade. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Mesa County Valley School District 51Grades PK–12 · 44 schools · 19,753 students · 16.5 per teacher (CO 16.3)
$13,648CO $15,889 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading41%
State average 44.9% · 9855 students tested
Math28%
State average 31.8% · 9818 students tested

Fruitvale vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Fruitvale’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
FruitvaleBMesa County Valley School District 51
Grand JunctionBMesa County Valley School District 51

Every school in Fruitvale

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Colorado’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Fruitvaleby address
Thunder Mountain Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Grand Junction
C−
432 students16:1Rate it →
Grand Mesa Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Grand Junction
C
476 students15:1Rate it →
Central High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Grand Junction
B−
1,352 students17:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Ascent Classical Academy of Grand Junction
Grades K–9 · Grand Junction
Charter
457 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Fruitvale’s schools

Are Fruitvale’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Colorado: the public schools Fruitvale children attend outscore 58% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #98 of 159 Colorado towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 47%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Fruitvale in?

Mesa County Valley School District 51, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,753 students in 44 schools (2024–25).

Where do Fruitvale kids go to high school?

Central High School in Grand Junction, with 1,352 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Fruitvale’s graduation rate?

81% of the class of 2023 in Mesa County Valley School District 51 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.

How much does Fruitvale spend per student?

$13,648 in Mesa County Valley School District 51 (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Fruitvale families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Fruitvale → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Colorado. Stars are from neighbors.