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Below Average

#1484 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

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Junction

#27 of 32

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#216 of 276

In district

#38 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

About Grand Mesa Middle School

Grand Mesa Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Grand Junction, Colorado. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 525 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school offers a supportive learning environment focused on individual attention.

Academically, Grand Mesa Middle School is currently ranked 1514th out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it around the 17th percentile statewide. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.4 out of 10, with a specific academic score of 2.8/10, indicating room for growth and development. Students perform at a level where 26% are proficient in ELA/Reading and only 14% in Math.

Despite these challenges, the school continues to work diligently on improving its curriculum and student outcomes. Grand Mesa Middle School is situated in a mid-size suburb, offering students a blend of urban amenities and smaller community feel. The setting provides a supportive environment for middle schoolers as they navigate their academic and social development.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Grand Mesa Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.9Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.1%
Math vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,650

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 13.6%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 26.1%
School
State
46.0%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
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: 6.3/10.

How Grand Mesa Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in CO
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

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. Bookcliff Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mount Garfield Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Clifton), which scores notably 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 4.3
PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 0.9 mi
Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction 1.0 mi 6.1
Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction 1.4 mi 8.4
Clifton Elementary School Clifton 1.3 mi 5.5
Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction 1.5 mi 8.3
Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton 1.7 mi 6.6
Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction 1.9 mi 4.0
Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction 2.2 mi 7.4
Career Center Preschool Grand Junction 2.3 mi 5.3
LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction 2.4 mi 6.6
Independence Academy Grand Junction 2.8 mi 5.5
Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction 2.8 mi 6.3
Mount Garfield Middle School Clifton 3.3 mi 7.0
Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction 4.3 mi 8.3
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction 4.2 mi 7.6
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction 4.1 mi
R-5 High School Grand Junction 4.0 mi 4.8
Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction 4.0 mi 8.3
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Grand Mesa Middle School has a median household income of $67,907. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,300, with a median rent of $1,414/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Panorama Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 4.9
Basalt Middle School Basalt, CO 5.0
Blevins Middle School Fort Collins, CO 5.0
Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy Colorado Springs, CO 5.0
Pleasant View Middle School Pueblo, CO 5.0
Columbine Middle School Montrose, CO 4.8

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 is ranked #1484 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Grand Mesa Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Grand Mesa Middle School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Grand Mesa Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grand Mesa Middle School has 13.6% math proficiency and 26.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,773/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Junction). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
District Enrollment
20,078
Schools in District
46
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,834
District Rank
#38 of 43

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 methodology

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