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Average

#1129 of 1,815 schools in CO

Orchard Avenue Elementary School

Elementary School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

1800 ORCHARD AVE, Grand Junction, CO 81501

Enrollment

306

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,129 of 1,815

In Grand Junction

#21 of 32

public schools

In district

#25 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

Equity

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Orchard Avenue Elementary School

5.6/10

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

Bookcliff Christian School

5.8/10

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

Grand River Academy

5.4/10

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

About Orchard Avenue Elementary School

Orchard Avenue Elementary School is a public elementary school in Grand Junction, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Orchard Avenue Elementary School serves approximately 306 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Orchard Avenue Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,129 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Orchard Avenue Elementary School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

42% of students at Orchard Avenue 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 Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.7% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.3% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg+2.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,834
Chronic Absenteeism41.5%

Orchard Avenue Elementary School — Students at Orchard Avenue Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 57.2% (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
97%
ELA
96%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
27%
2025
Math
38.9%
ELA
46.2%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Orchard Avenue Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
38th percentile in CO
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1800 ORCHARD AVE, Grand Junction, CO 81501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orchard Avenue Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pomona Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tope Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chipeta Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction 0.6 mi 5.8
Grand River Academy Grand Junction 0.9 mi 5.4
LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL OF MESSIAH Grand Junction 0.8 mi 6.3
R-5 High School Grand Junction 1.0 mi 4.7
Tope Elementary School Grand Junction 0.9 mi 7.2
Chipeta Elementary School Grand Junction 1.1 mi 6.8
LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 1.3 mi 5.9
Grand Junction High School Grand Junction 1.1 mi 5.7
Juniper Ridge Community School Grand Junction 1.3 mi 6.8
Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction 1.3 mi 4.0
West Middle School Grand Junction 1.5 mi 6.0
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction 2.0 mi
Independence Academy Grand Junction 1.8 mi 6.6
LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction 1.8 mi 6.6
INTERMOUNTAIN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Grand Junction 1.9 mi 5.8
Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction 1.9 mi 4.1
Orchard Mesa Middle School Grand Junction 2.5 mi 5.4
Pomona Elementary School Grand Junction 1.9 mi 7.3
Career Center Preschool Grand Junction 2.0 mi 3.6
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Grand Junction 2.5 mi 4.6

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
ESCUELA DE GUADALUPE Denver, CO 5.6
Federal Heights Elementary School Denver, CO 5.6
Legacy Academy Elizabeth, CO 5.6
Welchester Elementary School Golden, CO 5.6
Colorado Sports Leadership Academy Denver, CO 5.5
Dolores Elementary School Dolores, CO 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orchard Avenue Elementary School

What grades does Orchard Avenue Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Orchard Avenue Elementary School?

Orchard Avenue Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orchard Avenue Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Orchard Avenue Elementary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orchard Avenue Elementary School rank in CO?

Orchard Avenue Elementary School ranks #1,129 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Orchard Avenue Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Orchard Avenue Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Orchard Avenue Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orchard Avenue Elementary School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Orchard Avenue Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Orchard Avenue Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

64.1% of students at Orchard Avenue 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
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mesa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.5%

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