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Below Average

#1517 of 1,815 schools in CO

Fruita Middle School

Middle School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

239 N MAPLE, Fruita, CO 81521

Enrollment

459

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

4.4

Grades

6th – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,517 of 1,815

In Fruita

#5 of 7

public schools

In district

#35 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

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Fruita Middle School

4.4/10

Middle School in Fruita · grades 6th – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Shelledy Elementary School

6.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fruita Monument High School

6.6/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fruita Middle School

Fruita Middle School is a public middle school in Fruita, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Fruita Middle School serves approximately 459 students, and covers grades 6th-7th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Fruita Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,517 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Fruita Middle School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • CO avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

43% of students at Fruita Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.1% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.8% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.1 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,834
Chronic Absenteeism42.5%

Fruita Middle School — Students at Fruita Middle School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.1% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 50.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.0% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
89%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
21%
2025
Math
32.4%
ELA
38.8%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Fruita Middle School Compares

See how Fruita Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
17th percentile in CO
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

239 N MAPLE, Fruita, CO 81521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fruita Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Redlands Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fruita, see our Fruita schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Shelledy Elementary School Fruita 0.3 mi 6.0
Fruita Monument High School Fruita 1.1 mi 6.6
Rim Rock Elementary School Fruita 1.0 mi 4.6
Fruita 8/9 School Fruita 1.3 mi 4.1
Monument Ridge Elementary School Fruita 1.2 mi 8.8
Monument View Montessori Charter School Fruita 2.9 mi 3.8
GRAND VALLEY MENNONITE SCHOOL Loma 4.4 mi 3.6
Loma Elementary School Loma 5.3 mi 4.7
Redlands Middle School Grand Junction 7.0 mi 7.8
Appleton Elementary School Grand Junction 6.7 mi 5.8
Broadway Elementary School Grand Junction 7.5 mi 7.6
Wingate Elementary School Grand Junction 8.5 mi 8.8
Caprock Academy Grand Junction 8.0 mi 6.4
Scenic Elementary School Grand Junction 8.8 mi 8.0
Mesa Valley Community School Grand Junction 8.8 mi 7.0
Pomona Elementary School Grand Junction 9.4 mi 7.3
INTERMOUNTAIN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Grand Junction 9.6 mi 5.8
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Grand Junction 9.6 mi 4.6
West Middle School Grand Junction 10.0 mi 6.0
Juniper Ridge Community School Grand Junction 10.0 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,632

Median Home Value

$385,300

Median Rent

$1,249/mo

Population

16,861

College Educated

32%

Homeownership

83.2%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

42.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Fox Meadow Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 4.4
Ortega Middle School Alamosa, CO 4.4
Brush Middle School Brush, CO 4.5
Shaw Heights Middle School Westminster, CO 4.5
Sterling Middle School Sterling, CO 4.5
Risley International Academy of Innovation Pueblo, CO 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fruita Middle School

What grades does Fruita Middle School serve?

Fruita Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 7th.

How many students attend Fruita Middle School?

Fruita Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 459 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fruita Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fruita Middle School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fruita Middle School rank in CO?

Fruita Middle School ranks #1,517 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Fruita Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fruita Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Fruita Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fruita Middle School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Fruita Middle School a charter school?

No, Fruita Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fruita Middle School a Title I school?

No, Fruita Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fruita Middle School?

40.7% of students at Fruita Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
82 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 7th
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Mesa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.5%

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