Average
#996 of 1,815 schools in CO
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School
Elementary School · Durango School District No. 9-R
11274 HIGHWAY 140, Hesperus, CO 81326
Enrollment
106
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
106
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#996 of 1,815
In district
#11 of 13
Durango School District No. 9-R
School environment
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School
Elementary School in Hesperus · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Animas High School
14.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Sunnyside Elementary School
14.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hesperus, CO, part of Durango School District No. 9-R. Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School serves approximately 106 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #996 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 106 students, Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
35% of students at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School — Students at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 29 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.5/10.
How Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School Compares
See how Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
11274 HIGHWAY 140, Hesperus, CO 81326
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Juniper School (rated 8.6/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Durango), which scores notably higher. Another option is Park Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Durango), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Needham Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Durango), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hesperus, see our Hesperus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Animas High School Durango | 14.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Sunnyside Elementary School Durango | 14.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Durango Big Picture High School Durango | 15.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango Englewood | 15.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos | 16.7 mi | 3.4 |
| The Juniper School Durango | 15.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Mancos Elementary School Mancos | 16.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Mancos High School Mancos | 16.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Mancos Middle School Mancos | 16.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Southwest Colorado eSchool Durango | 15.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Escalante Middle School Durango | 15.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Park Elementary School Durango | 16.0 mi | 8.4 |
| CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF DURANGO Durango | 16.3 mi | — |
| DURANGO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durango | 16.2 mi | 5.3 |
| ST COLUMBA SCHOOL Durango | 16.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Needham Elementary School Durango | 16.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Miller Middle School Durango | 16.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Durango High School Durango | 16.8 mi | 7.8 |
| THE LIBERTY SCHOOL Durango | 17.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Mountain Middle School Durango | 17.3 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81326 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,229
Median Home Value
$515,200
Median Rent
$1,254/mo
Population
2,651
College Educated
41.9%
Homeownership
88.3%
Avg Commute
33.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
51.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Weldon Valley Elementary School Weldona, CO | 6.0 |
| GUARDIAN ANGELS Denver, CO | 5.9 |
| JARROW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boulder, CO | 6.1 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF EVERGREEN Evergreen, CO | 6.1 |
| BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction, CO | 5.8 |
| BOULDER VALLEY WALDORF SCHOOL Niwot, CO | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School
What grades does Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School serve?
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School?
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 106 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School rank in CO?
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School ranks #996 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School a charter school?
No, Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School?
55.7% of students at Fort Lewis Mesa 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 106
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- La Plata County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.9%
- Phone
- (970) 588-3331
Resources & Links
District
Durango School District No. 9-R- District Enrollment
- 5,146
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,729
- District Rank
- #11 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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