Lewis-Arriola Elementary School

Lewis-Arriola Elementary School is a primary school of one-room-style scale in CORTEZ, Colorado, run under Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1, instructing 125 students in grades K through 5. By comparison, Colorado's public schools average about 379 students each, so Lewis-Arriola Elementary School sits 67% below that benchmark.

Across the 10 schools in Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 (2,380 students total), Lewis-Arriola Elementary School accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

On the student-mix side, Lewis-Arriola Elementary School records that the largest single group is White, at 77% of enrollment; the rest is composed of 14% Hispanic, 7% multiracial, 2% Native American. That composition is broadly in line with Montezuma County as a whole.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Lewis-Arriola Elementary School records 8 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 15.6:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 16.6:1, putting Lewis-Arriola Elementary School tighter than the state norm the norm. Around 41% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal. That share is noticeably below Montezuma County's rate of about 59%.

After controlling for student poverty, Lewis-Arriola Elementary School sits in the top 10% of Colorado schools after the BeatsExpectations adjustment. Predicted proficiency for the school's FRL share is roughly 42.0%; actual is 56.9%, +14.9 points clear of the demographic baseline.

In the area at large, census data for Montezuma County shows median household income runs about $65,244, roughly 31% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 7% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Across Montezuma County's 19 public schools (combined enrollment of about 3,620 students), Lewis-Arriola Elementary School is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Dolores Elementary School, roughly 8.9 miles away. Within ten miles, there are 8 other public schools, a sparser pattern than typical urban areas. Among the 7 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Lewis-Arriola Elementary School ranks 1st on composite proficiency, above the local average of 30.5%.

The campus sits in a rural setting.

Over the past 7-year window. Over the past 7-year window, the student count expanded 8%: 116 students in 2018 compared to 125 in 2025.

On allk12, recent activity here tends to focus on classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. The community welcomes input from current and former families.