Top Rankings
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 6,308 students in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. This district's average high testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public high schools in Colorado.
Public High Schools in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Colorado public high school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 53% statewide average).
Public High School in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 have a Graduation Rate of 80%, which is less than the Colorado average of 82%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Fruita Monument High School, with 92% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Colorado or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public high school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CO)
# Schools
45 Schools
552 Schools
# Students
19,487 Students
325,938 Students
# Teachers
1,189 Teachers
18,376 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 176 school districts in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has decreased from 81% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#65 out of 179 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)23%
29%
Graduation Rate
80%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.46
0.62
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
25%
36%
% Black
n/a
4%
% White
69%
51%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,439 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,475. The school district revenue/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,893 is less than the state median of $15,793. The school district spending/student has declined by 8% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$281 MM
$13,426 MM
Spending
$271 MM
$13,702 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,439
$15,475
Spending / Student
$13,893
$15,793
Best Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mesa Valley Community School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
609 25 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-7202
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 254-7202
Gr: 6-12 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #22.
Gateway School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
42575 Highway 141
Gateway, CO 81522
(970) 254-7080
Gateway, CO 81522
(970) 254-7080
Gr: PK-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Fruita Monument High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1102 Wildcat Ave
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6600
Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 254-6600
Gr: 10-12 | 1,273 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Palisade High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3679 G Road
Palisade, CO 81526
(970) 254-4800
Palisade, CO 81526
(970) 254-4800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,069 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #55.
Grand Junction High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1400 N 5th St
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6900
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6900
Gr: 9-12 | 1,590 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Central High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3130 E1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-6200
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 254-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,443 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #77.
Grand River Academy
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
600 N 14th St
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-5343
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-5343
Gr: K-12 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #88.
R-5 High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
455 N. 22nd St.ste. B
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6880
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6880
Gr: 9-12 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: n/an/a
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center
Alternative School
360 28 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 242-8445
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 242-8445
Gr: 5-12 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 60%
Recent Articles
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding 51±¬ÁÏ Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
