Below Average
#1536 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
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
441
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,536 of 1,815
In Grand Junction
#27 of 32
public schools
In district
#36 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
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Thunder Mountain Elementary School
Elementary School in Grand Junction · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central High School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fruitvale Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thunder Mountain Elementary School
Thunder Mountain Elementary School is a public elementary school in Grand Junction, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Thunder Mountain Elementary School serves approximately 441 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Thunder Mountain Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,536 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Thunder Mountain Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 6.2
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
38% of students at Thunder Mountain 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 35 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: 3.3/10.
How Thunder Mountain Elementary School Compares
See how Thunder Mountain Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Mesa View Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chatfield Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Independence Academy (rated 6.6/10, 1.9 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 | 5.3 |
| Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Grand Mesa Middle School Grand Junction | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 1.5 mi | — |
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction | 1.7 mi | 4.1 |
| LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 2.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Independence Academy Grand Junction | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Clifton Elementary School Clifton | 2.1 mi | 2.9 |
| Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 3.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction | 3.8 mi | — |
| Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.3 mi | 6.4 |
| BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Grand River Academy Grand Junction | 3.9 mi | 5.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beaver Valley Elementary School Brush, CO | 4.3 |
| Central Elementary School Commerce City, CO | 4.3 |
| Highland Elementary School Pierce, CO | 4.3 |
| Holyoke Elementary School Holyoke, CO | 4.3 |
| Monroe Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 4.3 |
| Prairie Winds Elementary School Pueblo West, CO | 4.3 |
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 ranks #1,536 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Thunder Mountain Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thunder Mountain Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Thunder Mountain Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thunder Mountain Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.6%
- Phone
- (970) 254-5870
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
- #36 of 43
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