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Below Average

#1607 of 1,815 schools in CO

Nisley Elementary School

Elementary School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

543 28-3/4 ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81501

Enrollment

350

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,607 of 1,815

In Grand Junction

#29 of 32

public schools

In district

#39 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

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Nisley Elementary School

4.0/10

Elementary School in Grand Junction · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bookcliff Middle School

4.1/10

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

Career Center Preschool

3.6/10

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

About Nisley Elementary School

Nisley Elementary School is a public elementary school in Grand Junction, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Nisley Elementary School serves approximately 350 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Nisley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,607 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Nisley Elementary School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

51% of students at Nisley Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.7% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-16.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+0.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,834
Chronic Absenteeism51.4%

Nisley Elementary School — Students at Nisley Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 34.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 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
82%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
53%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
19%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
21%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
14%
ELA
25%
2019
Math
14%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
17%
2025
Math
19.1%
ELA
19.4%

* 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 Nisley Elementary School Compares

See how Nisley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
12th percentile in CO
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.4%

Location

543 28-3/4 ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nisley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tope Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chipeta Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Independence Academy (rated 6.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction 0.6 mi 4.1
Career Center Preschool Grand Junction 0.8 mi 3.6
LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction 1.0 mi 6.6
Independence Academy Grand Junction 1.3 mi 6.6
R-5 High School Grand Junction 1.4 mi 4.7
Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction 1.3 mi 5.0
Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction 1.3 mi 5.6
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction 1.9 mi
Grand River Academy Grand Junction 1.7 mi 5.4
LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 1.8 mi 5.9
BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction 1.7 mi 5.8
Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction 1.9 mi 3.0
LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL OF MESSIAH Grand Junction 1.9 mi 6.3
Chipeta Elementary School Grand Junction 2.1 mi 6.8
Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction 2.2 mi 4.3
Tope Elementary School Grand Junction 2.1 mi 7.2
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction 2.9 mi 6.4
Orchard Mesa Middle School Grand Junction 2.7 mi 5.4
Grand Junction High School Grand Junction 2.3 mi 5.7
PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 2.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,500

Median Home Value

$283,300

Median Rent

$974/mo

Population

24,142

College Educated

27.2%

Homeownership

47.1%

Avg Commute

15 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

35.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arapahoe Ridge Elementary School Westminster, CO 4.0
Bessemer Elementary School Pueblo, CO 4.0
Boston K-8 School Aurora, CO 4.0
Burlington Elementary School Burlington, CO 4.0
Campbell Elementary School Sterling, CO 4.0
Carbon Valley Academy Frederick, CO 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nisley Elementary School

What grades does Nisley Elementary School serve?

Nisley Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Nisley Elementary School?

Nisley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nisley Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nisley Elementary School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nisley Elementary School rank in CO?

Nisley Elementary School ranks #1,607 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Nisley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nisley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Nisley Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nisley Elementary School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Nisley Elementary School a charter school?

No, Nisley Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Nisley Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Nisley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nisley Elementary School?

84.6% of students at Nisley Elementary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
80 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mesa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.4%

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