Average
#742 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 41% in state
Cottonwood Elementary School
Elementary School · Montrose County School District Re-1J
P O BOX 10000, Montrose, CO 81402
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Montrose
#2 of 11
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#479 of 1,006
In district
#2 of 13
Montrose County School District Re-1J
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Cottonwood Elementary School
Cottonwood Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Montrose, Colorado. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 412 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s setting is in a remote town, offering a unique community atmosphere.
Cottonwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating is 6.5 out of 10, placing it at the 67th percentile among Colorado schools. Academically, the school scores an average of 7.5 out of 10, with 52% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency in ELA/Reading and 43% achieving similar results in Math. The school focuses on providing a supportive learning environment with room for academic growth.
Cottonwood Elementary School is situated in a remote part of Montrose County, offering a close-knit community where teachers and parents work together to support student development.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Cottonwood Elementary School — Students at Cottonwood Elementary School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 7.6/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary School Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 45.24% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 55.98% (2025).
Location
P O BOX 10000, Montrose, CO 81402
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ridgway Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Ridgway), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pomona Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northside Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Montrose, see our Montrose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Vista Charter School Montrose | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Columbine Middle School Montrose | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Pomona Elementary School Montrose | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Early Childhood Center Montrose | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Outer Range Montrose | 2.0 mi | — |
| Montrose High School Montrose | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Black Canyon High School Montrose | 2.2 mi | — |
| Centennial Middle School Montrose | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II ACADEMY Montrose | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Northside Elementary School Montrose | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Peak Virtual Academy Montrose | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Johnson Elementary School Montrose | 3.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Oak Grove Elementary School Montrose | 3.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Olathe Middle/High School Olathe | 12.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Olathe Elementary School Olathe | 13.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Ridgway High School Ridgway | 20.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Ridgway Middle School Ridgway | 20.2 mi | 9.5 |
| Ridgway Elementary School Ridgway | 20.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Delta High School Delta | 22.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Grand Mesa Choice Academy Delta | 22.4 mi | 4.8 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bear Creek Elementary School Boulder, CO | 6.8 |
| Canon Exploratory School Canon City, CO | 6.8 |
| Cole Arts and Science Academy Denver, CO | 6.8 |
| Ellis Elementary School Denver, CO | 6.8 |
| Federal Heights Elementary School Denver, CO | 6.8 |
| Goodnight Elementary School Pueblo, CO | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary School
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary School serve?
Cottonwood Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary School?
Cottonwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 412 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Elementary School rank in CO?
Cottonwood Elementary School is ranked #742 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Cottonwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Cottonwood Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary School has 42.7% math proficiency and 52.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Elementary School?
41.0% of students at Cottonwood 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
- City Safety
- High (2,461/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Montrose). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 412
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Montrose County
- Phone
- (970) 249-2539
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montrose County School District Re-1J- District Enrollment
- 6,029
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,857
- District Rank
- #2 of 13
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.