Photo: Visitmontrose · CC BY-SA 4.0Montrose’s public schools score below 54% of Colorado districts on tests and graduation
25% of students in Montrose’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Montrose, 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 96% 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.
Montrose’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 140 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Montrose’s, its schools beat 39%, lower than their 46% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 45% and 32% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,650 per student, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Vista Charter School is in town. Peak Virtual 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 Montrose’s grade
B−: better than 46% of Colorado school districts, #125 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 Montrose, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Montrose · depends on your address
Johnson Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 531 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Early Childhood Center
Grades PK · 162 students · 34:1 students per teacher
Outer Range
Grades PK–12 · 71 students · 8:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Montrose · depends on your address
Centennial Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 540 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Columbine Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 491 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Outer Range
Grades PK–12 · 71 students · 8:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Montrose · depends on your address
Centennial Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 540 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Columbine Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 491 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Outer Range
Grades PK–12 · 71 students · 8:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Montrose · depends on your address
Centennial Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 540 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Columbine Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 491 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Outer Range
Grades PK–12 · 71 students · 8:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Montrose · depends on your address
Montrose High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,279 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Outer Range
Grades PK–12 · 71 students · 8:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Montrose · depends on your address
Montrose High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,279 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Outer Range
Grades PK–12 · 71 students · 8:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Montrose · depends on your address
Montrose High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,279 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Outer Range
Grades PK–12 · 71 students · 8:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Montrose · depends on your address
Montrose High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,279 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Outer Range
Grades PK–12 · 71 students · 8:1 students per teacher
Montrose’s public schools are run by Montrose County School District RE-1J, which also serves Olathe. 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
Montrose vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Montrose’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Montrose | B− | Montrose County School District RE-1J |
Every school in Montrose
12 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 Montrose’s schools
Are Montrose’s schools good?
On Colorado’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Montrose children attend score below 54% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #125 of 159 Colorado towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 39%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Montrose in?
Montrose County School District RE-1J, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,977 students in 15 schools (2024–25).
Where do Montrose kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Montrose High School and Outer Range.
What is Montrose’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Montrose County School District RE-1J graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.
How much does Montrose spend per student?
$12,650 in Montrose County School District RE-1J (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Montrose families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Montrose → 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.