Total enrollment
3,620
+102 (+3%) vs SY 2020-21
Montezuma County
Colorado · Public K-12
Montezuma County, Colorado hosts 19 public K-12 schools and around 3,620 students, averaging roughly 191 per school. Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 runs the largest share. That works out to 12 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools.
4-year change in Montezuma County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
19
+2 (+12%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Montezuma County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Colorado | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,620 | #20 of 41 | #1,650 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 19 | #15 of 41 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.5:1 | #22 of 41 | #1,582 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 58.9% | #11 of 41 | #1,160 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 61.4% | #4 of 40 | #498 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Montezuma County school rankings
Residents
26,412
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
19
4 districts
Enrollment
3,620
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$65,244
Below Colorado avg
Free/reduced lunch
58.9%
Above Colorado avg
Elementary
12
1,776 students
Middle
3
787 students
High
4
1,057 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
2,380 students · 4 districts in Montezuma County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Montezuma County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
31.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.9%
civilian labor
Median age
45
20.7% under 18
Test scores in Montezuma County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Colorado state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Lewis-Arriola Elementary School· 72.9%
- Children's Kiva Montessori School· 36.4%
- Dolores Elementary School· 35.8%
- Dolores Middle School· 35.8%
- Montezuma-Cortez Middle School· 30.2%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Mesa Elementary School· 20.9%
- Kemper Elementary School· 26.2%
- Montezuma-Cortez Middle School· 30.2%
- Dolores Elementary School· 35.8%
- Dolores Middle School· 35.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montezuma-Cortez High School | Cortez | High | 09-12 | 598 | · |
| Montezuma-Cortez Middle School | Cortez | Middle | 06-08 | 505 | · |
| Mesa Elementary School | Cortez | Elementary | KG-05 | 359 | · |
| Kemper Elementary School | Cortez | Elementary | KG-05 | 339 | · |
| Dolores Elementary School | Dolores | Elementary | KG-05 | 245 | · |
| Mancos Elementary School | Mancos | Elementary | KG-05 | 217 | · |
| Dolores High School | Dolores | High | 09-12 | 186 | · |
| Dolores Middle School | Dolores | Middle | 06-08 | 166 | · |
| Mancos High School | Mancos | High | 09-12 | 142 | · |
| Southwest Open Charter School | Cortez | High | 09-12 | 131 | · |
| Children's Kiva Montessori School | Cortez | Elementary | KG-08 | 130 | · |
| Lewis-Arriola Elementary School | Cortez | Elementary | KG-05 | 125 | · |
| Mancos Middle School | Mancos | Middle | 06-08 | 116 | · |
| Battle Rock Charter School | Cortez | Elementary | KG-06 | 88 | · |
| Teddy Bear Preschool | Dolores | Elementary | PK-PK | 71 | · |
| Beech Street Preschool | Cortez | Elementary | PK-PK | 70 | · |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy | Tawoac | Elementary | KG-04 | 61 | · |
| Mancos Early Learning Center | Mancos | Elementary | PK-PK | 36 | · |
| Pleasant View Charter School | Pleasant View | Elementary | KG-06 | 35 | · |
Cities in Montezuma County
About Montezuma County
In Colorado, Montezuma County is a small county of about 26,412 residents. 19 public schools across the county enrolls about 3,620 students between them.
In context, census numbers show the median household earns about $65,244 a year, 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 7%. That income level is 16% lower than the Colorado median.
In terms of grade levels, Montezuma County spans 12 elementary schools (1,776 students), 3 middle schools (787), and 4 high schools (1,057).
The largest single district in Montezuma County is Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1, which alone enrolls about 2,380 students.
Over the past 4-year window. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment increased 3%: 3,518 students in SY 2020-21 versus 3,620 in SY 2024-25. The school count climbed from 17 to 19 across the same 4-year window.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Montezuma County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data