Very Good
#662 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 36% in state
Mount Garfield Middle School
Middle School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
3475 FRONT STREET, Clifton, CO 81520
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clifton
#1 of 3
public schools
Colorado middle schools
#89 of 276
In district
#23 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Mount Garfield Middle School
Mount Garfield Middle School is a regular public school located in Clifton, Colorado, serving students in grades six through eight. The school has an enrollment of 562 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. Mount Garfield Middle School's MySchoolScout rating is 5.3 out of 10, placing it in the 47th percentile among Colorado schools based on its state ranking of #974 out of 1831 schools.
Academically, students score an average of 33% proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 19% proficient or above in Math. Despite these scores indicating areas for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and support. Mount Garfield Middle School is situated in a mid-size suburb, offering a warm community environment where students can engage with their peers and teachers in a supportive setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mount Garfield Middle School — Students at Mount Garfield Middle School score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Mount Garfield Middle School Compares
See how Mount Garfield Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 20.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 36.29% (2025).
Location
3475 FRONT STREET, Clifton, CO 81520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mount Garfield Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bookcliff Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Grand Mesa Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), a more accessible option. For more schools in Clifton, see our Clifton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clifton Elementary School Clifton | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Palisade High School Palisade | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Taylor Elementary School Palisade | 3.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction | 3.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Grand Mesa Middle School Grand Junction | 3.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Central High School Grand Junction | 3.5 mi | 4.3 |
| PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 3.9 mi | — |
| Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction | 5.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 5.6 mi | 5.3 |
| LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction | 5.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Independence Academy Grand Junction | 5.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction | 6.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction | 6.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction | 7.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction | 7.2 mi | — |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 7.3 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81520 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,769
Median Home Value
$228,000
Median Rent
$1,013/mo
Population
13,454
College Educated
11.4%
Homeownership
65.6%
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Median Age
35.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mount Garfield Middle School has a median household income of $50,769. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,000, with a median rent of $1,013/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carbondale Middle School Carbondale, CO | 6.9 |
| Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School Colorado Springs, CO | 7.1 |
| Erie Middle School Erie, CO | 7.1 |
| Euclid Middle School Littleton, CO | 7.1 |
| Fruita Middle School Fruita, CO | 6.9 |
| Oberon Middle School Arvada, CO | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mount Garfield Middle School
What grades does Mount Garfield Middle School serve?
Mount Garfield Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Mount Garfield Middle School?
Mount Garfield Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mount Garfield Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mount Garfield Middle School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mount Garfield Middle School rank in CO?
Mount Garfield Middle School is ranked #662 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Mount Garfield Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mount Garfield Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Mount Garfield Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mount Garfield Middle School has 19.1% math proficiency and 32.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mount Garfield Middle School a charter school?
No, Mount Garfield Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mount Garfield Middle School a Title I school?
No, Mount Garfield Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mount Garfield Middle School?
70.8% of students at Mount Garfield 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
- County Safety
- Average (681/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 562
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Mesa County
- Phone
- (970) 254-4720
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51- District Enrollment
- 20,078
- Schools in District
- 46
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,834
- District Rank
- #23 of 43
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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