Orchard Mesa’s public schools outscore 58% of Colorado districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Orchard Mesa, 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.
Orchard Mesa’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 144 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Orchard Mesa’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 eight middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
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 Orchard Mesa’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 Orchard Mesa, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Orchard Mesa
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 289 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Grand Junction
Kindergarten in Orchard Mesa
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 289 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Grand Junction
1st grade in Orchard Mesa
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 289 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Grand Junction
2nd grade in Orchard Mesa
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 289 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Grand Junction
3rd grade in Orchard Mesa
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 289 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Grand Junction
4th grade in Orchard Mesa
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 289 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Grand Junction
5th grade in Orchard Mesa
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 289 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Grand Junction
Orchard Mesa’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.
Below the state in reading
Orchard Mesa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Orchard Mesa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Orchard Mesa | B | Mesa County Valley School District 51 |
| Grand Junction | B | Mesa County Valley School District 51 |
Every school in Orchard Mesa
13 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 Orchard Mesa’s schools
Are Orchard Mesa’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Colorado: the public schools Orchard Mesa 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 Orchard Mesa in?
Mesa County Valley School District 51, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,753 students in 44 schools (2024–25).
Where do Orchard Mesa kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Grand Junction High School, Fruita Monument High School, Central High School, Palisade High School and Gateway School.
What is Orchard Mesa’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 Orchard Mesa 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 Orchard Mesa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Orchard Mesa → 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.