Yucca House National Monument · Photo: National Park Service · Public domainTowaoc’s public schools score below 89% of Colorado districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 15% of Towaoc’s students scored proficient, below the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Towaoc, 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 90% 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.
Towaoc’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 45% and 32% statewide; 90% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
65–69% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado (the state reports Towaoc’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $13,869 per student in FY2024, against $15,889 across Colorado. 30% of its revenue that year was federal (Colorado 8%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Montezuma-Cortez Middle School, then Montezuma-Cortez High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Kwiyagat Community Academy 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.
What’s behind Towaoc’s grade
D: better than 11% of Colorado school districts. 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 Towaoc, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Towaoc · depends on your address
Mesa Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 359 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Kemper Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 339 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 125 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
1st grade in Towaoc · depends on your address
Mesa Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 359 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Kemper Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 339 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 125 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
2nd grade in Towaoc · depends on your address
Mesa Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 359 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Kemper Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 339 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 125 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
3rd grade in Towaoc · depends on your address
Mesa Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 359 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Kemper Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 339 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 125 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
4th grade in Towaoc · depends on your address
Mesa Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 359 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Kemper Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 339 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 125 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
5th grade in Towaoc · depends on your address
Mesa Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 359 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Kemper Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 339 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 125 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
6th grade in Towaoc
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 505 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
7th grade in Towaoc
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 505 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
8th grade in Towaoc
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 505 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
9th grade in Towaoc
Montezuma-Cortez High School
Grades 9–12 · 598 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
10th grade in Towaoc
Montezuma-Cortez High School
Grades 9–12 · 598 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Cortez
Towaoc’s public schools are run by Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1, which also serves Cortez. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Towaoc vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Towaoc’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Towaoc | D | Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 |
Every school in Towaoc
6 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 Towaoc’s schools
Are Towaoc’s schools good?
On Colorado’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Towaoc children attend score below 89% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Towaoc in?
Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,380 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
Where do Towaoc kids go to high school?
Montezuma-Cortez High School in Cortez, with 598 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Towaoc’s graduation rate?
65–69% of the class of 2023 in Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.
How much does Towaoc spend per student?
$13,869 in Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Towaoc families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Towaoc → 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.