Average
#1234 of 1,815 schools in CO
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
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,234 of 1,815
In Clifton
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#29 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
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Mount Garfield Middle School
Middle School in Clifton · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Clifton Elementary School
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Palisade High School
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mount Garfield Middle School
Mount Garfield Middle School is a public middle school in Clifton, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Mount Garfield Middle School serves approximately 562 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Mount Garfield Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,234 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Mount Garfield Middle School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 5.2
- CO avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
63% of students at Mount Garfield Middle 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
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 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: 6.3/10.
How Mount Garfield Middle School Compares
See how Mount Garfield Middle 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
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 4.1/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), a more accessible option. Additionally, Grand Mesa Middle School (rated 3.7/10, 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 | 2.9 |
| Palisade High School Palisade | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Taylor Elementary School Palisade | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Grand Mesa Middle School Grand Junction | 3.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Central High School Grand Junction | 3.5 mi | 5.3 |
| PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 3.9 mi | — |
| Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction | 5.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 5.6 mi | 3.6 |
| LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction | 5.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Independence Academy Grand Junction | 5.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction | 6.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction | 6.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction | 7.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction | 7.2 mi | — |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 7.3 mi | 4.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspen Middle School Aspen, CO | 5.3 |
| Riverside School New Castle, CO | 5.3 |
| Severance Middle School Severance, CO | 5.3 |
| Brentwood Middle School Greeley, CO | 5.2 |
| Columbine Middle School Montrose, CO | 5.2 |
| Delta Middle School Delta, CO | 5.2 |
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 ranks #1,234 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Mount Garfield Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mount Garfield Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Mount Garfield Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mount Garfield Middle School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 62.6%
- Phone
- (970) 254-4720
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
- #29 of 43
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