Best Schools in Cortez, Colorado
11 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Cortez?
Use this page to compare every school in Cortez by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lewis-arriola Elementary School
Elementary · Montezuma-cortez School District No. Re-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Children's Kiva Montessori School
Elementary · Montezuma-cortez School District No. Re-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lighthouse Christian Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Cortez for 2026 are Lewis-arriola Elementary School (8.2/10), Children's Kiva Montessori School (7.6/10), and Lighthouse Christian Academy (5.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
11
9 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$259,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
11
9 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$259,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 7.6/10 despite 65% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.9 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Cortez schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Cortez
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis-arriola Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Children's Kiva Montessori School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Lighthouse Christian Academy | 5.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Southwest Open Charter School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Kemper Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Montezuma-cortez High School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Battle Rock Charter School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Montezuma-cortez Middle School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Mesa Elementary School | 3.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $59,737
- Median home value
- $259,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Cortez compares
Colorado rank
#79 of 125
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Colorado avg (6.2)
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 5.6 out of 10, schools in Cortez show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Cortez is Lewis-arriola Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10, 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.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 120 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 142 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 347 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 4 | 89 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 | ||
| 5 | 409 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 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 | 18 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 543 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 134 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 2 | 601 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 87 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.4 | ||
| 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 | 5.9 | ||
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.
Schools by Level
- State
- Colorado
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Colorado
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently 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 5.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
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 8.2/10.
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 8.2/10.
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 5.0/10.
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 5.8/10.
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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Colorado Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.