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Average

#1147 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

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,147 of 1,815

In Cortez

#5 of 9

public schools

In district

#5 of 10

Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1

Equity

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Montezuma-cortez High School

5.5/10

High School in Cortez · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Southwest Open Charter School

5.8/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Children's Kiva Montessori School

7.6/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Montezuma-cortez High School

Montezuma-cortez High School is a public high school in Cortez, CO, part of Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1. Montezuma-cortez High School serves approximately 601 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio.

Montezuma-cortez High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,147 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Montezuma-cortez High School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • CO avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

63% of students at Montezuma-cortez High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness5.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
AP Participation5.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,684
Chronic Absenteeism62.9%

Montezuma-cortez High School — Students at Montezuma-cortez High School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
62%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
26%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
28%
ELA
60%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
27%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Montezuma-cortez High School Compares

See how Montezuma-cortez High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
37th percentile in CO
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.7
Sports
18
8 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
62.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
5.8% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
8 boys'·10 girls'·24 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Mancos High School (rated 6.3/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Mancos), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Southwest Open Charter School (rated 5.8/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dolores High School (rated 3.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Dolores), 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 5.8
Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez 1.0 mi 7.6
Kemper Elementary School Cortez 1.0 mi 5.5
Beech Street Preschool Cortez 1.4 mi 3.4
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez 1.7 mi 5.0
CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cortez 1.8 mi
Mesa Elementary School Cortez 1.9 mi 3.7
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortez 2.4 mi 5.9
Dolores Elementary School Dolores 9.8 mi 5.5
Dolores High School Dolores 9.8 mi 3.9
Dolores Middle School Dolores 9.8 mi 7.3
Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores 10.0 mi 3.7
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez 10.2 mi 8.2
Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac 13.6 mi 4.0
Mancos Middle School Mancos 14.7 mi 3.4
Mancos High School Mancos 14.7 mi 6.3
Mancos Elementary School Mancos 14.8 mi 3.8
Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos 14.8 mi 3.4
Battle Rock Charter School Cortez 15.3 mi 5.2
Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View 20.3 mi 3.9

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
MULLEN HIGH SCHOOL Denver, CO 5.5
Colorado Virtual Academy High School Lakewood, CO 5.6
Fort Lupton High School Fort Lupton, CO 5.4
Rocky Mountain Prep RISE Denver, CO 5.4
Centennial High School Pueblo, CO 5.7
Colorado Early Colleges Aurora Aurora, CO 5.7

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 ranks #1,147 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Montezuma-cortez High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Montezuma-cortez High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Montezuma-cortez High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Montezuma-cortez High School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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.

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Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
62.9%
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

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