Needs Improvement
#1682 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
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,682 of 1,815
In Cortez
#8 of 9
public schools
In district
#9 of 10
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
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Mesa Elementary School
Elementary School in Cortez · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cortez Adventist Christian School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Montezuma-cortez Middle School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mesa Elementary School
Mesa Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cortez, CO, part of Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1. Mesa Elementary School serves approximately 409 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio.
Mesa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,682 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Mesa Elementary School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.7
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Mesa Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
55% of students at Mesa Elementary School 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 35 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: 3.8/10.
How Mesa Elementary School Compares
See how Mesa Elementary School 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
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 8.2/10, 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, Kemper Elementary School (rated 5.5/10, 1.3 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 | 5.0 |
| Beech Street Preschool Cortez | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Kemper Elementary School Cortez | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Montezuma-Cortez High School Cortez | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Southwest Open Charter School Cortez | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortez | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez | 9.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Dolores Elementary School Dolores | 10.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Dolores High School Dolores | 10.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Dolores Middle School Dolores | 10.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores | 11.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac | 12.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Battle Rock Charter School Cortez | 13.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Mancos Middle School Mancos | 16.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Mancos High School Mancos | 16.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View | 19.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Mancos Elementary School Mancos | 16.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos | 16.7 mi | 3.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aragon Elementary School Fountain, CO | 3.7 |
| Avon Elementary School Avon, CO | 3.7 |
| Belmont Elementary School Pueblo, CO | 3.7 |
| Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt, CO | 3.7 |
| Colorado Springs Charter Academy Colorado Springs, CO | 3.7 |
| Johnson Elementary School Montrose, CO | 3.7 |
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 ranks #1,682 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Mesa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mesa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Mesa Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mesa Elementary School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 55.3%
- Phone
- (970) 565-3858
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
- #9 of 10
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