Average
#1056 of 1,815 schools in CO
Montezuma-cortez Middle School
Middle School · Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
450 WEST 2ND STREET, Cortez, CO 81321
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cortez
#5 of 9
public schools
Colorado middle schools
#146 of 276
In district
#5 of 10
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
About Montezuma-cortez Middle School
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. Located in the remote town of Cortez, Colorado, it has an enrollment of 543 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting offers a close-knit community where students benefit from personalized attention.
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, placing it in the 37th percentile among Colorado schools. In terms of academic performance, 28% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 14% meet proficiency standards in Math. The school focuses on student development and offers support to help students improve their skills.
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School is situated in a remote area that fosters a tight-knit community atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Montezuma-cortez Middle School — Students at Montezuma-cortez Middle School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 9 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Montezuma-cortez Middle School Compares
See how Montezuma-cortez Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 14% (2019) to 16.73% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 30.25% (2025).
Location
450 WEST 2ND STREET, Cortez, CO 81321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Montezuma-cortez Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Dolores Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Dolores), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mancos Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Mancos), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cortez, see our Cortez schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cortez | 0.2 mi | — |
| Mesa Elementary School Cortez | 0.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Beech Street Preschool Cortez | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Kemper Elementary School Cortez | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Montezuma-Cortez High School Cortez | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Southwest Open Charter School Cortez | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortez | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez | 9.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Dolores Elementary School Dolores | 10.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Dolores High School Dolores | 10.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Dolores Middle School Dolores | 10.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores | 10.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac | 12.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Battle Rock Charter School Cortez | 13.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Mancos Middle School Mancos | 16.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Mancos High School Mancos | 16.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View | 19.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Mancos Elementary School Mancos | 16.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos | 16.5 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 Montezuma-cortez Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Carmody Middle School Lakewood, CO | 6.0 |
| Corwin International Magnet School Pueblo, CO | 6.0 |
| James Irwin Charter Middle School Colorado Springs, CO | 6.0 |
| Rocky Mountain Prep Green Valley Ranch Denver, CO | 6.0 |
| Columbia Middle School Aurora, CO | 6.1 |
| Janitell Junior High School Fountain, CO | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Montezuma-cortez Middle School
What grades does Montezuma-cortez Middle School serve?
Montezuma-cortez Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Montezuma-cortez Middle School?
Montezuma-cortez Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 543 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Montezuma-cortez Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Montezuma-cortez Middle School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Montezuma-cortez Middle School rank in CO?
Montezuma-cortez Middle School is ranked #1056 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Montezuma-cortez Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Montezuma-cortez Middle School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Montezuma-cortez Middle School has 14.2% math proficiency and 28.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Montezuma-cortez Middle School a charter school?
No, Montezuma-cortez Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Montezuma-cortez Middle School a Title I school?
No, Montezuma-cortez Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Montezuma-cortez Middle School?
64.6% of students at Montezuma-cortez Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 543
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Montezuma County
- Phone
- (970) 565-7824
- 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
- #5 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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