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Needs Improvement

#1673 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

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,673 of 1,815

In Rifle

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#9 of 10

Garfield School District No. Re-2

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Graham Mesa Elementary School

3.8/10

Elementary School in Rifle · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highland Elementary School

4.8/10

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

Wamsley Elementary School

4.5/10

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

About Graham Mesa Elementary School

Graham Mesa Elementary School is a public elementary school in Rifle, CO, part of Garfield School District No. Re-2. Graham Mesa Elementary School serves approximately 427 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio.

Graham Mesa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,673 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Graham Mesa Elementary School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Graham 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.8% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.9% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-20.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,874
Chronic Absenteeism29.7%

Graham Mesa Elementary School — Students at Graham Mesa Elementary School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 45.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (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
92%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
17%
2025
Math
21.9%
ELA
25.2%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Graham Mesa Elementary School Compares

See how Graham Mesa Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
8th percentile in CO
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.7%

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

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. Two Rivers Community School (rated 7.1/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Glenwood Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Plateau Valley Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Collbran), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AMBLESIDE AT SKYLARK (rated 6.5/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby New Castle), 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 4.8
Wamsley Elementary School Rifle 0.9 mi 4.5
Rifle Middle School Rifle 1.5 mi 4.6
Rifle High School Rifle 1.6 mi 5.2
Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt 5.3 mi 3.7
Coal Ridge High School New Castle 8.1 mi 5.9
LIBERTY CLASSICAL ACADEMY New Castle 11.6 mi 5.2
Elk Creek Elementary New Castle 11.9 mi 4.0
AMBLESIDE AT SKYLARK New Castle 12.4 mi 6.5
Riverside School New Castle 12.6 mi 5.3
Kathryn Senor Elementary School New Castle 12.6 mi 5.1
Grand Valley Middle School Parachute 15.4 mi 3.9
Grand Valley Center for Family Learning Parachute 16.8 mi 5.7
Bea Underwood Elementary School Parachute 17.3 mi 3.1
Grand Valley High School Parachute 17.4 mi 6.5
Grand Mesa High School Collbran 24.2 mi 4.6
Plateau Valley Elementary School Collbran 25.0 mi 6.8
Plateau Valley High School Collbran 25.0 mi 7.7
Plateau Valley Junior High School Collbran 25.0 mi 4.8
Two Rivers Community School Glenwood Springs 21.1 mi 7.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alpine Elementary School Longmont, CO 3.8
Arkansas Elementary School Aurora, CO 3.8
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora, CO 3.8
Bayfield Intermediate School Bayfield, CO 3.8
Columbine Elementary School Fort Morgan, CO 3.8
Dos Rios Elementary School Evans, CO 3.8

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 ranks #1,673 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Graham Mesa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Graham Mesa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Graham Mesa Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Graham Mesa Elementary School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.7%

District

Garfield School District No. Re-2
District Enrollment
4,786
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,874
District Rank
#9 of 10

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