Very Good
#459 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 25% in state
Palisade High School
High School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
3679 G ROAD, Palisade, CO 81526
Enrollment
1,069
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,069
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palisade
#2 of 2
public schools
Colorado high schools
#65 of 403
In district
#17 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
Equity
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Palisade High School
Palisade High School serves 1,069 students in grades 9-12 in the charming community of Palisade, Colorado. With 58 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio, providing a manageable classroom environment for personalized attention. The school ranks #838 out of 1,831 high schools statewide, placing it in the 54th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10.
Academically, Palisade High shows room for growth, with 34% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in mathematics across grade levels. The school's academic score of 6.7 out of 10 reflects ongoing efforts to support student achievement. Located in Mesa County, Palisade High serves a stable suburban community where families enjoy a median household income of $79,801 and median home values of $384,000.
The surrounding ZIP code of 81526 is home to 5,110 residents, with 32% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a modest poverty rate of 10.3%. As a regular public high school, Palisade High operates in Colorado's mid-size suburban setting, offering students the benefits of small-town community connections while maintaining the resources of a larger student body. The school serves as an educational hub in this scenic Mesa County community known for its agricultural heritage.
Score Breakdown
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Palisade High School — Students at Palisade High School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 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: 7.5/10.
How Palisade High School Compares
See how Palisade High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54% (2019) to 57% (2021).
Location
3679 G ROAD, Palisade, CO 81526
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palisade High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. R-5 High School (rated 4.8/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), a more accessible option. Additionally, Central High School (rated 4.3/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palisade, see our Palisade schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor Elementary School Palisade | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Mount Garfield Middle School Clifton | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Clifton Elementary School Clifton | 4.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton | 4.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction | 5.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Grand Mesa Middle School Grand Junction | 5.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Central High School Grand Junction | 5.6 mi | 4.3 |
| PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 6.0 mi | — |
| Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction | 6.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction | 7.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction | 6.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction | 7.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 7.7 mi | 5.3 |
| LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction | 7.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Independence Academy Grand Junction | 8.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction | 8.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction | 8.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction | 9.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction | 9.3 mi | — |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 9.5 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81526 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,316
Median Home Value
$449,300
Median Rent
$1,219/mo
Population
5,397
College Educated
34.7%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
51.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palisade High School has a median household income of $83,316. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $449,300, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Glenwood Springs High School Glenwood Springs, CO | 7.5 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School Denver, CO | 7.5 |
| Denver School of the Arts Denver, CO | 7.6 |
| Durango High School Durango, CO | 7.6 |
| Elizabeth High School Elizabeth, CO | 7.4 |
| Silver Creek High School Longmont, CO | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palisade High School
What grades does Palisade High School serve?
Palisade High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Palisade High School?
Palisade High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,069 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palisade High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Palisade High School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palisade High School rank in CO?
Palisade High School is ranked #459 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Palisade High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Palisade High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Palisade High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palisade High School has 35.0% math proficiency and 55.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palisade High School a charter school?
No, Palisade High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palisade High School a Title I school?
No, Palisade High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palisade High School?
51.4% of students at Palisade High 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palisade). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,069
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 58
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Mesa County
- Phone
- (970) 254-4800
- 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
- #17 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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