Very Good
#493 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 27% in state
Orchard Mesa Middle School
Middle School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
2736 C ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81503
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Junction
#15 of 32
public schools
Colorado middle schools
#59 of 276
In district
#20 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Orchard Mesa Middle School
Orchard Mesa Middle School is a public middle school in Grand Junction, Colorado, catering to students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 581 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, the school ensures that each student receives adequate attention. The faculty comprises 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
Academically, Orchard Mesa Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks as the 696th best school in Colorado among 1831 schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, 39% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA)/Reading, while only 24% achieve similar levels in math, indicating areas where additional support and resources may be beneficial. Situated in a small city setting, Orchard Mesa Middle School is part of the larger Grand Junction community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Orchard Mesa Middle School — Students at Orchard Mesa Middle School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.5%
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: 9.6/10.
How Orchard Mesa Middle School Compares
See how Orchard Mesa Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 31.21% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 45.11% (2025).
Location
2736 C ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81503
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Orchard Mesa Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chipeta Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Orchard Avenue Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mesa View Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| New Emerson School at Columbus Grand Junction | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Dos Rios Elementary School Grand Junction | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction | 0.9 mi | — |
| LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Grand River Academy Grand Junction | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Chipeta Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
| LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL OF MESSIAH Grand Junction | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Grand Junction High School Grand Junction | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Dual Immersion Academy School Grand Junction | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Tope Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.7 mi | 7.1 |
| West Middle School Grand Junction | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.6 mi | 8.3 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Grand Junction | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Juniper Ridge Community School Grand Junction | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
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 Orchard Mesa Middle School 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 |
|---|---|
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction, CO | 7.4 |
| DSST: Cedar Middle School Denver, CO | 7.4 |
| Centennial Middle School Boulder, CO | 7.5 |
| Louisville Middle School Louisville, CO | 7.5 |
| Sierra Middle School Parker, CO | 7.5 |
| Escalante Middle School Durango, CO | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Orchard Mesa Middle School
What grades does Orchard Mesa Middle School serve?
Orchard Mesa Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Orchard Mesa Middle School?
Orchard Mesa Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Orchard Mesa Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Orchard Mesa Middle School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Orchard Mesa Middle School rank in CO?
Orchard Mesa Middle School is ranked #493 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Orchard Mesa Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Orchard Mesa Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Orchard Mesa Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orchard Mesa Middle School has 23.6% math proficiency and 38.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Orchard Mesa Middle School a charter school?
No, Orchard Mesa Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Orchard Mesa Middle School a Title I school?
No, Orchard Mesa Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orchard Mesa Middle School?
58.5% of students at Orchard Mesa 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
- Walk Score
- 29 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 16 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 50 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,773/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Junction). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 581
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Mesa County
- Phone
- (970) 254-6320
- 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
- #20 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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