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Average

#1273 of 1,815 schools in CO

New Emerson School at Columbus

Elementary School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

2660 UNAWEEP AVE, Grand Junction, CO 81503

Enrollment

140

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Junction

#23 of 32

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#740 of 1,006

In district

#35 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About New Emerson School at Columbus

New Emerson School at Columbus serves 140 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Grand Junction, Colorado. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.6 to 1 and 9 full-time equivalent teachers, this elementary school provides a more intimate learning environment where students can receive focused attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking impressively at #173 out of 1,831 Colorado schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide.

This regular public school achieves an 8.7 out of 10 academic score, with 52% of students performing at proficient or above levels in mathematics across all grade levels. Located on Unaweep Avenue, New Emerson School at Columbus sits within a stable community where the median household income reaches $66,968 and median home values are $279,700. The surrounding neighborhood in the 81503 ZIP code has a population of 16,152 residents, with 22% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 10.8%.

The school operates within Grand Junction's small city setting in Mesa County, providing students with the benefits of both community connection and access to broader educational and cultural resources that come with city life.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 140 students, New Emerson School at Columbus is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.1%
Math vs. State Avg+24.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.2 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,650

New Emerson School at Columbus — Students at New Emerson School at Columbus score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
39.5%
ELA Proficiency 67.5%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
52%
2025
Math
60.3%
ELA
62.8%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How New Emerson School at Columbus Compares

See how New Emerson School at Columbus performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in CO
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

2660 UNAWEEP AVE, Grand Junction, CO 81503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New Emerson School at Columbus may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chipeta Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orchard Avenue Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pomona Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Dos Rios Elementary School Grand Junction 0.5 mi 7.9
Orchard Mesa Middle School Grand Junction 0.6 mi 7.4
LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 1.3 mi 5.9
Chipeta Elementary School Grand Junction 1.6 mi 8.3
Grand River Academy Grand Junction 1.7 mi 4.8
LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL OF MESSIAH Grand Junction 1.8 mi 6.4
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction 1.5 mi
Dual Immersion Academy School Grand Junction 1.7 mi 5.6
R-5 High School Grand Junction 1.8 mi 4.8
Grand Junction High School Grand Junction 2.2 mi 4.8
West Middle School Grand Junction 2.5 mi 6.8
Tope Elementary School Grand Junction 2.6 mi 7.1
Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction 2.6 mi 8.3
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction 2.2 mi 7.6
INTERMOUNTAIN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Grand Junction 2.7 mi 5.8
BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction 3.0 mi 5.8
Juniper Ridge Community School Grand Junction 3.2 mi 6.8
Pomona Elementary School Grand Junction 3.1 mi 8.2
Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction 3.1 mi 6.3
Career Center Preschool Grand Junction 3.2 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,681

Median Home Value

$307,600

Median Rent

$1,015/mo

Population

16,132

College Educated

23%

Homeownership

78.1%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding New Emerson School at Columbus has a median household income of $71,681. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,600, with a median rent of $1,015/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ANNUNCIATION Denver, CO 5.5
Alta Vista Charter School Lamar, CO 5.5
South Routt Elementary School Yampa, CO 5.5
Aspen Community Charter School Woody Creek, CO 5.6
Crowley County Elementary K-6 Ordway, CO 5.6
ESCUELA DE GUADALUPE Denver, CO 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Emerson School at Columbus

What grades does New Emerson School at Columbus serve?

New Emerson School at Columbus serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend New Emerson School at Columbus?

New Emerson School at Columbus has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at New Emerson School at Columbus?

The student-teacher ratio at New Emerson School at Columbus is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does New Emerson School at Columbus rank in CO?

New Emerson School at Columbus is ranked #1273 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is New Emerson School at Columbus's MySchoolScout rating?

New Emerson School at Columbus has a composite rating of 5.5 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 New Emerson School at Columbus?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Emerson School at Columbus has 61.0% math proficiency and 67.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is New Emerson School at Columbus a charter school?

No, New Emerson School at Columbus is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is New Emerson School at Columbus a Title I school?

No, New Emerson School at Columbus is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Emerson School at Columbus?

13.6% of students at New Emerson School at Columbus qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,773/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Junction). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mesa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
District Enrollment
20,078
Schools in District
46
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,834
District Rank
#35 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 methodology

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