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#734 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 40% in state

West Middle School

Middle School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

123 W ORCHARD AVE, Grand Junction, CO 81505

Enrollment

460

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Junction

#17 of 32

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#96 of 276

In district

#26 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About West Middle School

West Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 460 students and employs 28 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1. The academic performance at West Middle School is currently rated at 5.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout.com, placing it at the 52nd percentile among Colorado schools and ranking it as the 883rd best school in the state.

While the test scores show that there is room for improvement, with only 40% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 27% in Math, West Middle School continues to focus on student development and growth. The school's setting within a small city offers students access to community resources while maintaining a close-knit educational environment. West Middle School is situated in the heart of Grand Junction, providing students with a supportive learning atmosphere that encourages academic progress and social engagement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.3Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.6%
Math vs. State Avg-10.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.2 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,650

West Middle School — Students at West Middle School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.2%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 40.1%
School
State
46.0%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
29%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
28%
2025
Math
26.3%
ELA
43.7%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How West Middle School Compares

See how West Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in CO
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

123 W ORCHARD AVE, Grand Junction, CO 81505

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Scenic Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chipeta Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orchard Avenue Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
INTERMOUNTAIN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Grand Junction 0.4 mi 5.8
Grand Junction High School Grand Junction 0.5 mi 4.8
Pomona Elementary School Grand Junction 0.6 mi 8.2
Tope Elementary School Grand Junction 0.6 mi 7.1
Juniper Ridge Community School Grand Junction 0.8 mi 6.8
Dual Immersion Academy School Grand Junction 1.2 mi 5.6
Chipeta Elementary School Grand Junction 1.1 mi 8.3
LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL OF MESSIAH Grand Junction 1.1 mi 6.4
Mesa Valley Community School Grand Junction 1.3 mi 6.2
BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction 1.3 mi 5.8
Grand River Academy Grand Junction 1.5 mi 4.8
Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction 1.5 mi 8.3
LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 1.8 mi 5.9
R-5 High School Grand Junction 1.9 mi 4.8
Caprock Academy Grand Junction 2.2 mi 5.2
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Grand Junction 2.5 mi 4.6
New Emerson School at Columbus Grand Junction 2.5 mi 5.5
Scenic Elementary School Grand Junction 2.3 mi 8.7
Orchard Mesa Middle School Grand Junction 2.7 mi 7.4
Dos Rios Elementary School Grand Junction 3.0 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,677

Median Home Value

$436,800

Median Rent

$1,424/mo

Population

11,959

College Educated

41.7%

Homeownership

69.6%

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Middle School has a median household income of $87,677. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $436,800, with a median rent of $1,424/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Grand Middle School Granby, CO 6.8
Boltz Middle School Fort Collins, CO 6.7
Eagle Valley Middle School Eagle, CO 6.7
Carbondale Middle School Carbondale, CO 6.9
Fruita Middle School Fruita, CO 6.9
Mount Garfield Middle School Clifton, CO 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Middle School

What grades does West Middle School serve?

West Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Middle School?

West Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 460 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Middle School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Middle School rank in CO?

West Middle School is ranked #734 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is West Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Middle School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 West Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Middle School has 27.2% math proficiency and 40.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Middle School a charter school?

No, West Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Middle School a Title I school?

No, West Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Middle School?

51.7% of students at West 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
460
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mesa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
District Enrollment
20,078
Schools in District
46
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,834
District Rank
#26 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 methodology

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