Average
#1025 of 1,815 schools in CO
Thunder Mountain Elementary School
Elementary School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
3063 F1/2 ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81504
Enrollment
441
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
441
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Junction
#21 of 32
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#623 of 1,006
In district
#31 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
About Thunder Mountain Elementary School
Thunder Mountain Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the mid-size suburb of Grand Junction, Colorado. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 441 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, Thunder Mountain provides a relatively small classroom setting that allows for more personalized attention.
Thunder Mountain Elementary School's academic performance is currently rated at 4.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 38th percentile among Colorado schools. The school’s state ranking stands at #1140 out of a total of 1831 schools in the state. In terms of subject proficiency levels, only 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 23% are proficient or above in Math.
While Thunder Mountain Elementary School may have room for academic growth, it focuses on providing a supportive learning environment that encourages student development across various subjects and grade levels. The school is situated within the Grand Junction area, offering students access to a variety of community resources and activities. Thunder Mountain Elementary School serves its mid-size suburban setting well by fostering a nurturing educational atmosphere for young learners in Grand Junction.
Score Breakdown
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Thunder Mountain Elementary School — Students at Thunder Mountain Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Thunder Mountain Elementary School Compares
See how Thunder Mountain Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24% (2019) to 25.14% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 32.24% (2025).
Location
3063 F1/2 ROAD, Grand Junction, CO 81504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thunder Mountain Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chatfield Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fruitvale Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orchard Avenue Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central High School Grand Junction | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Grand Mesa Middle School Grand Junction | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 1.5 mi | — |
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Independence Academy Grand Junction | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Clifton Elementary School Clifton | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction | 3.3 mi | 8.3 |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 3.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction | 3.8 mi | — |
| Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.3 mi | 7.6 |
| BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Grand River Academy Grand Junction | 3.9 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,907
Median Home Value
$290,300
Median Rent
$1,414/mo
Population
31,949
College Educated
21.2%
Homeownership
78.7%
Avg Commute
19.4 min
Poverty Rate
12%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thunder Mountain Elementary School has a median household income of $67,907. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,300, with a median rent of $1,414/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| College View Elementary School Denver, CO | 6.1 |
| Colorado Virtual Academy Lakewood, CO | 6.1 |
| Crystal River Elementary School Carbondale, CO | 6.1 |
| Eagle County Charter Academy Edwards, CO | 6.1 |
| Explore Pk-8 Thornton, CO | 6.1 |
| Highline Academy Northeast Denver, CO | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thunder Mountain Elementary School
What grades does Thunder Mountain Elementary School serve?
Thunder Mountain Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Thunder Mountain Elementary School?
Thunder Mountain Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 441 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thunder Mountain Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thunder Mountain Elementary School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thunder Mountain Elementary School rank in CO?
Thunder Mountain Elementary School is ranked #1025 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Thunder Mountain Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thunder Mountain Elementary 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 Thunder Mountain Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thunder Mountain Elementary School has 23.0% math proficiency and 32.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thunder Mountain Elementary School a charter school?
No, Thunder Mountain Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thunder Mountain Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Thunder Mountain Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thunder Mountain Elementary School?
60.3% of students at Thunder Mountain 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,773/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Junction). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 441
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Mesa County
- Phone
- (970) 254-5870
- 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
- #31 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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