Photo: Eleaf · CC BY-SA 3.0Grand Junction’s public schools outscore 58% of Colorado districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Grand Junction, 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.
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.
Grand Junction’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 141 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Grand Junction’s, its schools beat 51%, 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 ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Caprock Academy, Wildflower Montessori Public School of Colorado Grand Valley, Independence Academy, Mesa Valley Community School, Juniper Ridge Community School, Holy Family Catholic School (private), Life Academy (private), Lutheran Church & School of Messiah (private), Landmark Baptist School (private) and Intermountain Adventist Academy (private) are in town. Grand River Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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.
What’s behind Grand Junction’s grade
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.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Grand Junction, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Grand Junction · depends on your address
Orchard Mesa Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 560 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Bookcliff Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 525 students · 14:1 students per teacher
West Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 468 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Grand Junction · depends on your address
Orchard Mesa Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 560 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Bookcliff Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 525 students · 14:1 students per teacher
West Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 468 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Grand Junction · depends on your address
Orchard Mesa Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 560 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Bookcliff Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 525 students · 14:1 students per teacher
West Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 468 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Grand Junction
Grand Junction High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,832 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Grand Junction
Grand Junction High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,832 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Grand Junction
Grand Junction High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,832 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Grand Junction
Grand Junction High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,832 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Grand Junction’s public schools are run by Mesa County Valley School District 51, which also serves Fruita 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.
Below the state in reading
Grand Junction vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Grand Junction’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction | B | Mesa County Valley School District 51 |
Every school in Grand Junction
28 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).
Questions about Grand Junction’s schools
Are Grand Junction’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Colorado: the public schools Grand Junction 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 51%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Grand Junction in?
Mesa County Valley School District 51, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,753 students in 44 schools (2024–25).
Where do Grand Junction kids go to high school?
Grand Junction High School, with 1,832 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Grand Junction’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 Grand Junction 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.
Are there private schools in Grand Junction?
Yes: Holy Family Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 464 students), Life Academy (religious, grades K–12, 95 students), Lutheran Church & School of Messiah (religious, grades PK–8, 82 students), Landmark Baptist School (religious, grades PK–12, 81 students) and Intermountain Adventist Academy (religious, grades K–10, 32 students). Grand Junction also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Grand Junction families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Grand Junction → 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.