Very Good
#344 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 19% in state
Appleton Elementary School
Elementary School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
2358 H ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81505
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Junction
#12 of 32
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#265 of 1,006
In district
#14 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Appleton Elementary School
Appleton Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Grand Junction, Colorado. The school enrolls 447 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.6 to 1, supported by 24 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Appleton ranks in the 77th percentile statewide, placing it among the stronger-performing schools in Colorado.
The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 7.1 out of 10, with an academic score of 7.7 out of 10. In reading and language arts, 56% of students perform at or above proficiency levels across all grades. Mathematics shows an area with room for growth, with 44% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks on average.
The school is situated in a mid-size suburban setting in the Grand Junction area, offering families a community-oriented elementary education. With solid state rankings and above-average academic performance compared to Colorado schools overall, Appleton provides a foundation-focused approach to early education. The relatively balanced class sizes support individualized attention while maintaining an efficient learning environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Appleton Elementary School — Students at Appleton Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.
How Appleton Elementary School Compares
See how Appleton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54% (2019) to 57% (2021).
Location
2358 H ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81505
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Appleton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wingate Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Scenic Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Broadway Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Caprock Academy Grand Junction | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Mesa Valley Community School Grand Junction | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Broadway Elementary School Grand Junction | 3.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Redlands Middle School Grand Junction | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Pomona Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Scenic Elementary School Grand Junction | 3.4 mi | 8.7 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Grand Junction | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Grand Junction | 3.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Juniper Ridge Community School Grand Junction | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| West Middle School Grand Junction | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Tope Elementary School Grand Junction | 3.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Dual Immersion Academy School Grand Junction | 4.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Grand Junction High School Grand Junction | 4.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Wingate Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.8 mi | 8.8 |
| BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Monument View Montessori Charter School Fruita | 4.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Chipeta Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.6 mi | 8.3 |
| LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL OF MESSIAH Grand Junction | 4.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Grand River Academy Grand Junction | 4.9 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,677
Median Home Value
$436,800
Median Rent
$1,424/mo
Population
11,959
College Educated
41.7%
Homeownership
69.6%
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Appleton Elementary School has a median household income of $87,677. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $436,800, with a median rent of $1,424/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aurora Quest K-8 Aurora, CO | 7.8 |
| Bennett Elementary School Fort Collins, CO | 7.8 |
| Black Rock Elementary Erie, CO | 7.8 |
| Bristol Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 7.8 |
| Byers Elementary School Byers, CO | 7.8 |
| Castle Rock Elementary School Castle Rock, CO | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Appleton Elementary School
What grades does Appleton Elementary School serve?
Appleton Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Appleton Elementary School?
Appleton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Appleton Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Appleton Elementary School is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Appleton Elementary School rank in CO?
Appleton Elementary School is ranked #344 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Appleton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Appleton Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Appleton Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Appleton Elementary School has 44.3% math proficiency and 55.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Appleton Elementary School a charter school?
No, Appleton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Appleton Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Appleton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Appleton Elementary School?
40.3% of students at Appleton Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 12 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 27 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,773/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Junction). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 447
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Mesa County
- Phone
- (970) 254-6400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51- District Enrollment
- 20,078
- Schools in District
- 46
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,834
- District Rank
- #14 of 43
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 methodologyRelated reading
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