Total enrollment
6,237
-340 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
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 campus. By grade band, the county runs 8 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in Montrose County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
18
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
56%
was 59%
% Hispanic
40%
was 37%
% Black
0%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
19
2 districts
Enrollment
6,237
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 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 6,237 students, contracted 5% from the 6,577 reported in SY 2017-18.
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
Montrose County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data