Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1690 of 1,815 schools in CO

Grand Mesa Middle School

Middle School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

585 31-1/2 ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81504

Enrollment

525

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

3.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,690 of 1,815

In Grand Junction

#30 of 32

public schools

In district

#40 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Grand Mesa Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Grand Mesa Middle School

3.7/10

Middle School in Grand Junction · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Central High School

5.3/10

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

Pear Park Baptist School

Nearby

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

About Grand Mesa Middle School

Grand Mesa Middle School is a public middle school in Grand Junction, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Grand Mesa Middle School serves approximately 525 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Grand Mesa Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,690 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Grand Mesa Middle School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.2
  • CO avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

54% of students at Grand Mesa 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 Progress4.1Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.2% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.1% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,834
Chronic Absenteeism53.7%

Grand Mesa Middle School — Students at Grand Mesa Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.1% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 40.5% (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
81%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
43%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
13%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
13%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
13%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
13%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
13%
2025
Math
14%
ELA
24.6%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Grand Mesa Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in CO
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.7%

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

585 31-1/2 ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grand Mesa Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mount Garfield Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Clifton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bookcliff Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Central High School Grand Junction 0.2 mi 5.3
PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 0.9 mi
Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction 1.0 mi 4.3
Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction 1.4 mi 7.0
Clifton Elementary School Clifton 1.3 mi 2.9
Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction 1.5 mi 5.0
Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton 1.7 mi 5.2
Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction 1.9 mi 3.0
Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction 2.2 mi 4.1
Career Center Preschool Grand Junction 2.3 mi 3.6
LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction 2.4 mi 6.6
Independence Academy Grand Junction 2.8 mi 6.6
Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction 2.8 mi 4.0
Mount Garfield Middle School Clifton 3.3 mi 5.3
Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction 4.3 mi 7.1
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction 4.2 mi 6.4
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction 4.1 mi
R-5 High School Grand Junction 4.0 mi 4.7
Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction 4.0 mi 5.6
LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 4.4 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,907

Median Home Value

$290,300

Median Rent

$1,414/mo

Population

31,949

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

78.7%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

36.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fort Lupton Middle School Fort Lupton, CO 3.7
Weld Central Middle School Keenesburg, CO 3.8
Hamilton Middle School Denver, CO 3.9
Mann Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 3.9
Pueblo Academy of Arts Pueblo, CO 3.9
W H Heaton Middle School Pueblo, CO 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grand Mesa Middle School

What grades does Grand Mesa Middle School serve?

Grand Mesa Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Grand Mesa Middle School?

Grand Mesa Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 525 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grand Mesa Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Grand Mesa Middle School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grand Mesa Middle School rank in CO?

Grand Mesa Middle School ranks #1,690 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Grand Mesa Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Grand Mesa Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Grand Mesa Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Grand Mesa Middle School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Grand Mesa Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Grand Mesa Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

68.2% of students at Grand Mesa 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Mesa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.7%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.