Below Average
#1701 of 1,815 schools in CO
Mesa Elementary School
Elementary School · Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
703 WEST 7TH STREET, Cortez, CO 81321
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cortez
#9 of 9
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#941 of 1,006
In district
#10 of 10
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
About Mesa Elementary School
Mesa Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Cortez, Colorado. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Mesa Elementary has an enrollment of 409 students and employs 25 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1. The school's setting is rural yet conveniently situated near the town center on West 7th Street.
Mesa Elementary’s academic performance reflects areas for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.2 out of 10. Statewide rankings place it at #1623 out of 1831 schools in Colorado, which is within the 11th percentile. Students perform better in ELA/Reading with 25% proficiency or above compared to math scores where only 15% are proficient.
While the school's current performance shows there is room for academic growth, Mesa Elementary continues to focus on student development and supports its community with a dedicated faculty. The rural setting near Cortez offers students a close-knit environment that nurtures learning and personal connections.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mesa Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Mesa Elementary School — Students at Mesa Elementary School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 3.9/10.
How Mesa Elementary School Compares
See how Mesa Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 13.09% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 20.94% (2025).
Location
703 WEST 7TH STREET, Cortez, CO 81321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mesa Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lewis-Arriola Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 9.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Children's Kiva Montessori School (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Battle Rock Charter School (rated 6.8/10, 13.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cortez, see our Cortez schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cortez | 0.3 mi | — |
| Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Beech Street Preschool Cortez | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Kemper Elementary School Cortez | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Montezuma-Cortez High School Cortez | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Southwest Open Charter School Cortez | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortez | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez | 9.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Dolores Elementary School Dolores | 10.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Dolores High School Dolores | 10.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Dolores Middle School Dolores | 10.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores | 11.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac | 12.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Battle Rock Charter School Cortez | 13.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Mancos Middle School Mancos | 16.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Mancos High School Mancos | 16.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View | 19.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Mancos Elementary School Mancos | 16.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos | 16.7 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,737
Median Home Value
$259,500
Median Rent
$1,010/mo
Population
14,278
College Educated
27.6%
Homeownership
71.4%
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mesa Elementary School has a median household income of $59,737. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Wamsley Elementary School Rifle, CO | 4.1 |
| Yale Elementary School Aurora, CO | 4.1 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction, CO | 4.0 |
| Bea Underwood Elementary School Parachute, CO | 4.2 |
| Burlington Elementary School Burlington, CO | 4.2 |
| Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt, CO | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mesa Elementary School
What grades does Mesa Elementary School serve?
Mesa Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Mesa Elementary School?
Mesa Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mesa Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mesa Elementary School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mesa Elementary School rank in CO?
Mesa Elementary School is ranked #1701 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Mesa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mesa Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Mesa Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mesa Elementary School has 14.8% math proficiency and 24.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mesa Elementary School a charter school?
No, Mesa Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mesa Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Mesa Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mesa Elementary School?
77.5% of students at Mesa Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,421/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cortez). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 409
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Montezuma County
- Phone
- (970) 565-3858
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1- District Enrollment
- 2,505
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,684
- District Rank
- #10 of 10
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
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