Total enrollment
6,237
+357 (+6%) vs SY 2020-21
Montrose County
Colorado · Public K-12
19 public K-12 schools operate inside Montrose County, with roughly 6,237 students enrolled, an average of 328 per school. By grade band, the county runs 8 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
4-year change in Montrose County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
18
+1 (+6%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Montrose County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Colorado | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 30.3% | #26 of 34 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 6,237 | #16 of 41 | #1,135 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 18 | #17 of 41 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 16.9:1 | #34 of 41 | #2,276 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 55.7% | #15 of 41 | #1,312 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 53.1% | #14 of 40 | #951 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.
Montrose County school rankings
Residents
43,807
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
19
2 districts
Enrollment
6,237
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$72,120
Below Colorado avg
Free/reduced lunch
55.7%
Above Colorado avg
Elementary
8
2,708 students
Middle
3
1,070 students
High
5
2,126 students
Combined / other
3
333 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Montrose County School District Re-1J
5,977 students · 2 districts in Montrose County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Montrose 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+
28.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.4%
civilian labor
Median age
46
20.0% under 18
Test scores in Montrose County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 12 schools ranked. Colorado state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Cottonwood Elementary School· 56.0%
- Peak Virtual Academy· 47.5%
- Centennial Middle School· 46.6%
- Nucla Middle School· 43.8%
- Columbine Middle School· 40.6%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Northside Elementary School· 24.3%
- Johnson Elementary School· 24.4%
- Olathe Middle/High School· 25.5%
- Nucla Elementary School· 31.1%
- Olathe Elementary School· 31.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose High School | Montrose | High | 09-12 | 1,279 | · |
| Centennial Middle School | Montrose | Middle | 06-08 | 540 | · |
| Johnson Elementary School | Montrose | Elementary | PK-05 | 531 | · |
| Olathe Middle/High School | Olathe | High | 06-12 | 499 | · |
| Columbine Middle School | Montrose | Middle | 06-08 | 491 | · |
| Olathe Elementary School | Olathe | Elementary | PK-05 | 424 | · |
| Cottonwood Elementary School | Montrose | Elementary | KG-05 | 394 | · |
| Oak Grove Elementary School | Montrose | Elementary | KG-05 | 374 | · |
| Pomona Elementary School | Montrose | Elementary | KG-05 | 335 | · |
| Northside Elementary School | Montrose | Elementary | KG-05 | 327 | · |
| Peak Virtual Academy | Montrose | Combined | KG-12 | 262 | · |
| Vista Charter School | Montrose | High | 09-12 | 188 | · |
| Early Childhood Center | Montrose | Elementary | PK-PK | 162 | · |
| Nucla Elementary School | Naturita | Elementary | PK-06 | 161 | · |
| Black Canyon High School | Montrose | High | 09-12 | 100 | · |
| Outer Range | Montrose | Combined | PK-12 | 71 | · |
| Nucla High School | Nucla | High | 09-12 | 60 | · |
| Nucla Middle School | Nucla | Middle | 07-08 | 39 | · |
| Paradox Valley Charter School | Paradox | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Montrose County
About Montrose County
Montrose County is a compact county of about 43,807 residents in Colorado. Its public-school system hosts approximately 6,237 students across 19 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $72,120, 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 8% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 7% meaningfully below the Colorado median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Montrose County consists of 8 elementary schools (2,708 students), 3 middle schools (1,070), 5 high schools (2,126), and 3 combined or other schools.
Montrose County School District Re-1J dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 5,977 students on its own.
Trend over the past 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 6,237 students, expanded 6% from the 5,880 reported in SY 2020-21. The school count climbed from 17 to 18 across the same 4-year window.
On this page, the community for Montrose County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data