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Average

#1198 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

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,198 of 1,815

In Grand Junction

#23 of 32

public schools

In district

#27 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Grand River Academy

5.4/10

School in Grand Junction · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lutheran Church & School of Messiah

6.3/10

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

Landmark Baptist School

5.9/10

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

About Grand River Academy

Grand River Academy is a public school in Grand Junction, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Grand River Academy serves approximately 516 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Grand River Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,198 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Grand River Academy show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • CO avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Grand River Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

44% of students at Grand River Academy 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.82 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.9% (2025 CMAS)
Reading vs. State Avg-21 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness5.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate54.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,834
Chronic Absenteeism43.8%

Grand River Academy — Students at Grand River Academy score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

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 19.8% (multi-year average, 2011-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
44.8% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 25 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2011
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
54.5%
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: 8.9/10.

How Grand River Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
34th percentile in CO
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.8%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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. New Emerson School at Columbus (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pomona Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tope Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 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 6.3
LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 0.5 mi 5.9
R-5 High School Grand Junction 0.4 mi 4.7
Chipeta Elementary School Grand Junction 0.4 mi 6.8
Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction 0.9 mi 5.6
Grand Junction High School Grand Junction 1.0 mi 5.7
Tope Elementary School Grand Junction 1.2 mi 7.2
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 5.4
New Emerson School at Columbus Grand Junction 1.7 mi 8.0
West Middle School Grand Junction 1.5 mi 6.0
Juniper Ridge Community School Grand Junction 1.7 mi 6.8
Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction 1.7 mi 4.0
Dual Immersion Academy School Grand Junction 1.6 mi 6.1
Dos Rios Elementary School Grand Junction 2.2 mi 6.1
INTERMOUNTAIN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Grand Junction 1.9 mi 5.8
Pomona Elementary School Grand Junction 2.1 mi 7.3
Career Center Preschool Grand Junction 2.1 mi 3.6
Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction 2.2 mi 4.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
St. Vrain LaunchED Virtual Academy Longmont, CO 5.4
Compass Montessori - Golden Charter School Golden, CO 5.5
Springs Studio for Academic Excellence Colorado Springs, CO 5.3
ARMA DEI ACADEMY Highlands Ranch, CO 5.6
Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado Windsor, CO 5.8
FLATIRONS ACADEMY West Minster, CO 5.8

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 ranks #1,198 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Grand River Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Grand River Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 River Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Grand River Academy has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

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

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
90 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.8%
4-Year Graduation
54.5%

How we rate schools

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