6.2 avg / 10

Best Schools in Cortez, Colorado

11 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 9

Private: 2

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 6.2/10

Estimated Scores: 20%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.2/10
Median household income: $59,737
Median home value: $259,500
Bachelor's degree or higher: 28%
Owner-occupied homes: 71%

How Cortez compares

Colorado rank

#69 of 125

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.1

below Colorado avg (6.3)

Median household income

$60k

69% of Colorado median

Schools in this city

10

About Schools in Cortez, Colorado

Cortez, Colorado is home to 11 schools, including 9 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.

With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Cortez show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Cortez is Lewis-arriola Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Cortez is served by 1 school district: Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1. These districts collectively serve 2,505 students.

Cortez's community shows 28% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $59,737. The poverty rate in the area is 11.9%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (11) Elementary (6) Middle (1) High (2)

Filter by Type: All Types (11) Public (9) Private (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (11) Academics (11) Growth (8) Diversity (8) Resources (9)

Filter by ZIP: 81321 (10)

Elementary Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Lewis-Arriola Elementary School 120 students · Kindergarten–5th	120	Kindergarten–5th	9.0
2	Children's Kiva Montessori School 142 students · Kindergarten–8th	142	Kindergarten–8th	7.6
3	Battle Rock Charter School 89 students · Kindergarten–6th	89	Kindergarten–6th	6.8
4	Kemper Elementary School 347 students · Kindergarten–5th	347	Kindergarten–5th	5.0
5	Mesa Elementary School 409 students · Kindergarten–5th	409	Kindergarten–5th	4.1
Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 18 students · Kindergarten–8th	18	Kindergarten–8th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Montezuma-Cortez Middle School 543 students · 6th–8th	543	6th–8th	6.0

High Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Southwest Open Charter School 134 students · 9th–12th	134	9th–12th	7.2
2	Montezuma-Cortez High School 601 students · 9th–12th	601	9th–12th	5.6

Other Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Beech Street Preschool 87 students · Pre-K–Pre-K	87	Pre-K–Pre-K	5.0
Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Private 54 students · Pre-K–11th	54	Pre-K–11th	Not Rated

Schools in Cortez

Cortez, Colorado · 11 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$59,737

Median Home Value

$259,500

Median Rent

$1,010/mo

Population

14,278

College Educated

28%

Homeownership

71%

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Community Profile

Cortez has a median household income of $59,737. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Colorado
Total Schools: 11
Elementary: 6
Middle: 1
High: 2
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 6.2/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Cortez schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Cortez 📊 Niche Cortez Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1

10 schools · 2,505 students

Nearby Cities

Pleasant View (1 school)

18 mi

Mancos (4 schools)

17 mi

Dove Creek (2 schools)

32 mi

Hesperus (1 school)

31 mi

Other Major Cities in Colorado

Top metros statewide by school count.

Denver 277 schools Colorado Springs 197 schools Aurora 115 schools Lakewood 54 schools Fort Collins 53 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Cortez, Colorado

How many schools are in Cortez, Colorado?

Cortez has 11 schools, including 9 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Cortez, Colorado?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cortez is 6.2 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Cortez, Colorado?

The top-ranked school in Cortez on MySchoolScout is Lewis-arriola Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10.

What is the best elementary school in Cortez, Colorado?

The top-ranked elementary school in Cortez on MySchoolScout is Lewis-arriola Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10.

What is the best middle school in Cortez, Colorado?

The top-ranked middle school in Cortez on MySchoolScout is Montezuma-cortez Middle School with a composite score of 6.0/10.

What is the best high school in Cortez, Colorado?

The top-ranked high school in Cortez on MySchoolScout is Southwest Open Charter School with a composite score of 7.2/10.

How many school districts serve Cortez, Colorado?

Cortez is served by 1 school district: Montezuma-cortez School District No. Re-1.

What is the education level in Cortez, Colorado?

According to Census data, 28% of adults in Cortez have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Cortez, Colorado?

The median household income in Cortez is approximately $59,737 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Cortez, Colorado?

Yes, Cortez has 2 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Lighthouse Christian Academy with a score of 5.9/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Cortez, Colorado?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cortez is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cortez, Colorado?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.