Skip to main content

Average

#1008 of 1,815 schools in CO

Plateau Valley Junior High School

Middle School · Plateau Valley School District No. 50 in the county of Mesa

56600 HIGHWAY 330, Collbran, CO 81624

Enrollment

43

Student-Teacher

21.5:1

Score

6.1

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Collbran

#3 of 4

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#139 of 276

In district

#3 of 4

Plateau Valley School District No. 50 in the county of Mesa

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Plateau Valley Junior High School

Plateau Valley Junior High School is a small middle school located in the rural community of Collbran, Colorado. Serving students in grades 7 and 8, the school has an enrollment of just 43 students, making it easy for teachers to provide personalized attention with a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1. The school is staffed by two full-time equivalent educators who work closely together to support each student’s learning journey.

Academically, Plateau Valley Junior High School has some areas where it can focus on improvement. According to the MySchoolScout rating, the school ranks at the 38th percentile among Colorado schools, with a state ranking of #1128 out of 1831. In English Language Arts and Reading, 34% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 19% meet this standard.

Despite these challenges, the tight-knit community provides a supportive environment where educators can tailor their approaches to help every student succeed. Located in a rural setting with stunning natural surroundings, Plateau Valley Junior High School benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its young learners.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 43 students, Plateau Valley Junior High School 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Plateau Valley Junior High School is 21.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Plateau Valley Junior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.9Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.1%
Math vs. State Avg-18.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment3.7Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,859

Plateau Valley Junior High School — Students at Plateau Valley Junior High School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 18.5%
School
State
36.1%
ELA Proficiency 33.5%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 7 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
24.5%
2025
Math
17.7%
ELA
44.1%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Plateau Valley Junior High School Compares

See how Plateau Valley Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in CO
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

56600 HIGHWAY 330, Collbran, CO 81624

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Plateau Valley Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mount Garfield Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 24.0 miles away, in nearby Clifton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cedaredge Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 24.0 miles away, in nearby Cedaredge), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Rifle Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 23.7 miles away, in nearby Rifle), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Collbran, see our Collbran schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Plateau Valley Elementary School Collbran 0.0 mi 8.1
Plateau Valley High School Collbran 0.0 mi 8.3
Grand Mesa High School Collbran 1.1 mi 4.7
Bea Underwood Elementary School Parachute 13.8 mi 4.2
Grand Valley Middle School Parachute 14.6 mi 4.2
Grand Valley High School Parachute 14.7 mi 8.2
Grand Valley Center for Family Learning Parachute 15.5 mi 5.8
De Beque PK-12 School District 49JT De Beque 13.6 mi 5.6
Cedaredge Elementary School Cedaredge 23.1 mi 6.9
Cedaredge High School Cedaredge 23.8 mi 5.4
Cedaredge Middle School Cedaredge 24.0 mi 6.2
Rifle Middle School Rifle 23.7 mi 6.1
Rifle High School Rifle 24.0 mi 6.2
Taylor Elementary School Palisade 21.1 mi 8.7
Highland Elementary School Rifle 24.4 mi 5.0
Graham Mesa Elementary School Rifle 25.0 mi 5.1
Wamsley Elementary School Rifle 25.2 mi 4.1
Palisade High School Palisade 21.9 mi 7.5
Mount Garfield Middle School Clifton 24.0 mi 7.0
Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt 28.2 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81624 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,900

Median Home Value

$467,300

Median Rent

$1,563/mo

Population

1,487

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

87.7%

Poverty Rate

24.1%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Plateau Valley Junior High School has a median household income of $89,900. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $467,300, with a median rent of $1,563/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Stratton Middle School Stratton, CO 5.0
Eads Middle School Eads, CO 7.3
Sargent Junior High School Monte Vista, CO 4.8
Antonito Middle School Antonito, CO
Connections Learning Center on the Earle Johnson C Golden, CO

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Plateau Valley Junior High School

What grades does Plateau Valley Junior High School serve?

Plateau Valley Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Plateau Valley Junior High School?

Plateau Valley Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 43 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Plateau Valley Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Plateau Valley Junior High School is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Plateau Valley Junior High School rank in CO?

Plateau Valley Junior High School is ranked #1008 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Plateau Valley Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Plateau Valley Junior High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Plateau Valley Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plateau Valley Junior High School has 18.5% math proficiency and 33.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Plateau Valley Junior High School a charter school?

No, Plateau Valley Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Plateau Valley Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Plateau Valley Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plateau Valley Junior High School?

39.5% of students at Plateau Valley Junior 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (681/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mesa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Plateau Valley School District No. 50 in the county of Mesa
District Enrollment
309
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,245
District Rank
#3 of 4

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.