Average
#1274 of 1,815 schools in CO
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
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Junction
#24 of 32
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#741 of 1,006
In district
#36 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
About Independence Academy
Independence Academy is a charter school located in Grand Junction, Colorado, serving students from preschool through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 487 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more individualized attention. There are 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
Academically, Independence Academy has room for improvement, with an average ELA proficiency rate of 49% and a math proficiency rate of 35%. The school ranks #1060 out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it around the 42nd percentile. Despite these statistics, the community remains committed to student development and ongoing improvement.
The school is situated in a small city setting within Mesa County, offering students easy access to local resources and community engagement opportunities. Independence Academy provides a supportive learning environment for its diverse group of learners as they navigate their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Independence Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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 19 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: 5.1/10.
How Independence Academy Compares
See how Independence Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 34.19% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 49.2% (2025).
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. Fruitvale Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orchard Avenue Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chipeta Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.3 |
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Grand River Academy Grand Junction | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL OF MESSIAH Grand Junction | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Tope Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.8 mi | 4.0 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 2.8 mi | — |
| Central High School Grand Junction | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Independence Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| Academy Endeavour Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 5.5 |
| Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.5 |
| Buffalo Trail Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.5 |
| Clifton Elementary School Clifton, CO | 5.5 |
| Dora Moore ECE-8 School Denver, CO | 5.5 |
| Eagleside Elementary School Fountain, CO | 5.5 |
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 is ranked #1274 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Independence Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Academy has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Independence Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Academy has 34.6% math proficiency and 48.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 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
- Phone
- (970) 254-6850
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
- #36 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 methodologyRelated 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.