Average
#795 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 44% in state
Independence Academy
Elementary School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
675 29 ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81504
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#795 of 1,815
In Grand Junction
#13 of 32
public schools
In district
#17 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
School environment
7.1 / 10
Very Good
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Independence Academy
Elementary School in Grand Junction · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Life Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Nisley Elementary School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Independence Academy
Independence Academy is a public elementary school in Grand Junction, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Independence Academy serves approximately 487 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #795 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Independence Academy show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 6.2
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Independence Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Independence Academy — Students at Independence Academy score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 41 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.6/10.
How Independence Academy Compares
See how Independence Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
675 29 ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Independence Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tope Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Juniper Ridge Community School (rated 6.8/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chipeta Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction | 1.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 1.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Grand River Academy Grand Junction | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL OF MESSIAH Grand Junction | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Tope Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.8 mi | 3.0 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Grand Junction | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Juniper Ridge Community School Grand Junction | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction | 3.2 mi | — |
| Chipeta Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 2.8 mi | — |
| Central High School Grand Junction | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
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 |
|---|---|
| ASPEN ACADEMY Greenwood Village, CO | 6.6 |
| Bear Canyon Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 6.6 |
| Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora, CO | 6.6 |
| Dartmouth Elementary School Aurora, CO | 6.6 |
| Legacy Point Elementary School Parker, CO | 6.6 |
| SOAR at Green Valley Ranch Denver, CO | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Independence Academy
What grades does Independence Academy serve?
Independence Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Independence Academy?
Independence Academy has an enrollment of approximately 487 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Independence Academy is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Independence Academy rank in CO?
Independence Academy ranks #795 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Independence Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Independence Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence Academy has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Independence Academy a charter school?
Yes, Independence Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Independence Academy a Title I school?
No, Independence Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence Academy?
32.4% of students at Independence 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 487
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Mesa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.5%
- Phone
- (970) 254-6850
Resources & Links
District
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51- District Enrollment
- 20,078
- Schools in District
- 46
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,834
- District Rank
- #17 of 43
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