Average
#1215 of 1,815 schools in CO
Montezuma-cortez High School
High School · Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
418 SOUTH SLIGO STREET, Cortez, CO 81321
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cortez
#6 of 9
public schools
Colorado high schools
#268 of 403
In district
#6 of 10
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Montezuma-cortez High School
Montezuma-Cortez High School is a regular public high school located in Cortez, Colorado, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 601 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed academically and socially. The dedicated staff includes 37 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students.
Montezuma-Cortez High School's academic performance is rated at 5.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, with the school ranking 59th percentile among Colorado’s public schools. In reading and ELA, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 22% meet proficiency standards. While these scores indicate room for improvement, especially in mathematics, the school remains committed to student development and growth.
Located in a remote town, Montezuma-Cortez High School provides a supportive community environment where students can engage with their peers and teachers in smaller settings. This setting fosters a sense of belonging and encourages active participation in both academic and extracurricular activities.
Score Breakdown
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Montezuma-cortez High School — Students at Montezuma-cortez High School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 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: 7.9/10.
How Montezuma-cortez High School Compares
See how Montezuma-cortez High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
418 SOUTH SLIGO STREET, Cortez, CO 81321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Montezuma-cortez High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Southwest Open Charter School (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dolores High School (rated 5.3/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Dolores), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mancos High School (rated 4.4/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Mancos), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cortez, see our Cortez schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Open Charter School Cortez | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Kemper Elementary School Cortez | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Beech Street Preschool Cortez | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cortez | 1.8 mi | — |
| Mesa Elementary School Cortez | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortez | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Dolores Elementary School Dolores | 9.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Dolores High School Dolores | 9.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Dolores Middle School Dolores | 9.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores | 10.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez | 10.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac | 13.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Mancos Middle School Mancos | 14.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Mancos High School Mancos | 14.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Mancos Elementary School Mancos | 14.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos | 14.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Battle Rock Charter School Cortez | 15.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View | 20.3 mi | 4.2 |
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 Montezuma-cortez High 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 |
|---|---|
| Bayfield High School Bayfield, CO | 5.6 |
| Emily Griffith High School Denver, CO | 5.6 |
| Salida High School Salida, CO | 5.5 |
| Strasburg High School Strasburg, CO | 5.5 |
| Valley High School Gilcrest, CO | 5.5 |
| Englewood High School Englewood, CO | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Montezuma-cortez High School
What grades does Montezuma-cortez High School serve?
Montezuma-cortez High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Montezuma-cortez High School?
Montezuma-cortez High School has an enrollment of approximately 601 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Montezuma-cortez High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Montezuma-cortez High School 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 Montezuma-cortez High School rank in CO?
Montezuma-cortez High School is ranked #1215 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Montezuma-cortez High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Montezuma-cortez High School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Montezuma-cortez High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Montezuma-cortez High School has 22.0% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Montezuma-cortez High School a charter school?
No, Montezuma-cortez High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Montezuma-cortez High School a Title I school?
No, Montezuma-cortez High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Montezuma-cortez High School?
57.4% of students at Montezuma-cortez High 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 601
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Montezuma County
- Phone
- (970) 565-3722
- 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
- #6 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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