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Below Average

#1526 of 1,815 schools in CO

Grand River Academy

School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

600 N 14TH ST, Grand Junction, CO 81501

Enrollment

516

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Junction

#30 of 32

public schools

Colorado schools

#117 of 130

In district

#41 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

About Grand River Academy

Grand River Academy is a K-12 regular public school located in Grand Junction, Colorado. With an enrollment of 516 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more individualized attention. The dedicated staff, consisting of 30 full-time equivalent teachers, aims to support each student's educational journey.

Grand River Academy currently ranks in the lower tier among Colorado schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.4 out of 10. The school has room for improvement in its test scores, as only 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 14% in Math. Despite these challenges, the community is focused on student development and continuous improvement.

Grand River Academy is situated in a small city setting where it plays an important role in the local educational landscape.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.9%
Reading vs. State Avg-21 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,650

Grand River Academy — Students at Grand River Academy score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 13.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.9%
School
State
44.8%

Based on 7 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
12%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
12%
2025
ELA
20.6%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Grand River Academy Compares

See how Grand River Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in CO
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

600 N 14TH ST, Grand Junction, CO 81501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grand River Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Chipeta Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orchard Avenue Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pomona Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL OF MESSIAH Grand Junction 0.3 mi 6.4
LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 0.5 mi 5.9
R-5 High School Grand Junction 0.4 mi 4.8
Chipeta Elementary School Grand Junction 0.4 mi 8.3
Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction 0.9 mi 8.3
Grand Junction High School Grand Junction 1.0 mi 4.8
Tope Elementary School Grand Junction 1.2 mi 7.1
BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction 1.4 mi 5.8
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction 1.4 mi
Orchard Mesa Middle School Grand Junction 1.6 mi 7.4
New Emerson School at Columbus Grand Junction 1.7 mi 5.5
West Middle School Grand Junction 1.5 mi 6.8
Juniper Ridge Community School Grand Junction 1.7 mi 6.8
Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction 1.7 mi 6.3
Dual Immersion Academy School Grand Junction 1.6 mi 5.6
Dos Rios Elementary School Grand Junction 2.2 mi 7.9
INTERMOUNTAIN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Grand Junction 1.9 mi 5.8
Pomona Elementary School Grand Junction 2.1 mi 8.2
Career Center Preschool Grand Junction 2.1 mi 5.3
Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction 2.2 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,500

Median Home Value

$283,300

Median Rent

$974/mo

Population

24,142

College Educated

27.2%

Homeownership

47.1%

Avg Commute

15 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Grand River Academy has a median household income of $48,500. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,300, with a median rent of $974/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
Liberty Tree Academy Falcon, CO 4.8
Colorado Military Academy Colorado Springs, CO 5.0
Compass Montessori - Golden Charter School Golden, CO 4.5
FACE SCHOOL Westminster, CO 4.3
FLATIRON'S ACADEMY Westminster, CO 4.3
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School Fort Collins, CO 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grand River Academy

What grades does Grand River Academy serve?

Grand River Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Grand River Academy?

Grand River Academy has an enrollment of approximately 516 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grand River Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Grand River Academy is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grand River Academy rank in CO?

Grand River Academy is ranked #1526 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Grand River Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Grand River Academy has a composite rating of 4.8 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 River Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grand River Academy has 13.7% math proficiency and 31.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Grand River Academy a charter school?

No, Grand River Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Grand River Academy a Title I school?

No, Grand River Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grand River Academy?

59.3% of students at Grand River Academy 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
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
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
#41 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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