Average
#1419 of 1,815 schools in CO
Graham Mesa Elementary School
Elementary School · Garfield School District No. Re-2
1575 FARMSTEAD PARKWAY, Rifle, CO 81650
Enrollment
427
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
427
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rifle
#3 of 5
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#805 of 1,006
In district
#6 of 10
Garfield School District No. Re-2
About Graham Mesa Elementary School
Graham Mesa Elementary School is a rural public school located in Rifle, Colorado. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 427 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Situated in a peaceful rural setting near the town, Graham Mesa Elementary School focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its young learners.
While the school's academic performance currently shows room for growth—with MySchoolScout ranking it at 3.6 out of 10 and placing it in the 20th percentile among Colorado schools—Graham Mesa is committed to student development through dedicated teaching staff and community support. With proficiency rates in ELA/Reading at 29% and Math at 19%, the school continues to work diligently on improving educational outcomes for its students. The setting around Graham Mesa Elementary School offers a serene rural backdrop, providing a unique blend of small-town charm and natural beauty.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Graham Mesa Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Graham Mesa Elementary School — Students at Graham Mesa Elementary School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.8%
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: 5.8/10.
How Graham Mesa Elementary School Compares
See how Graham Mesa Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 20% (2019) to 21.79% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 24.86% (2025).
Location
1575 FARMSTEAD PARKWAY, Rifle, CO 81650
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Graham Mesa Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Plateau Valley Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Collbran), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kathryn Senor Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby New Castle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Two Rivers Community School (rated 6.9/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Glenwood Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rifle, see our Rifle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Elementary School Rifle | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Wamsley Elementary School Rifle | 0.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Rifle Middle School Rifle | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Rifle High School Rifle | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt | 5.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Coal Ridge High School New Castle | 8.1 mi | 3.2 |
| LIBERTY CLASSICAL ACADEMY New Castle | 11.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Elk Creek Elementary New Castle | 11.9 mi | 5.5 |
| AMBLESIDE AT SKYLARK New Castle | 12.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Riverside School New Castle | 12.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Kathryn Senor Elementary School New Castle | 12.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Grand Valley Middle School Parachute | 15.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Grand Valley Center for Family Learning Parachute | 16.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Bea Underwood Elementary School Parachute | 17.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Grand Valley High School Parachute | 17.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Grand Mesa High School Collbran | 24.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Plateau Valley Elementary School Collbran | 25.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Plateau Valley High School Collbran | 25.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Plateau Valley Junior High School Collbran | 25.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Two Rivers Community School Glenwood Springs | 21.1 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81650 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,506
Median Home Value
$397,100
Median Rent
$1,236/mo
Population
14,071
College Educated
17.1%
Homeownership
75.9%
Avg Commute
31.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
33.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Graham Mesa Elementary School has a median household income of $81,506. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $397,100, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bear Canyon Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 5.1 |
| Beattie Elementary School Fort Collins, CO | 5.1 |
| Canyon Creek Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.1 |
| Josephine Hodgkins Leadership Academy Denver, CO | 5.1 |
| Lowry Elementary School Denver, CO | 5.1 |
| McElwain Elementary School Thornton, CO | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Graham Mesa Elementary School
What grades does Graham Mesa Elementary School serve?
Graham Mesa Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Graham Mesa Elementary School?
Graham Mesa Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 427 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Graham Mesa Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Graham Mesa Elementary School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Graham Mesa Elementary School rank in CO?
Graham Mesa Elementary School is ranked #1419 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Graham Mesa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Graham Mesa Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Graham Mesa Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Graham Mesa Elementary School has 18.5% math proficiency and 28.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Graham Mesa Elementary School a charter school?
No, Graham Mesa Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Graham Mesa Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Graham Mesa Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Graham Mesa Elementary School?
36.8% of students at Graham 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,310/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rifle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 427
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Garfield County
- Phone
- (970) 665-7500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garfield School District No. Re-2- District Enrollment
- 4,786
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,874
- District Rank
- #6 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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.