Top Rankings
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 2,505 students in Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1. This district's average testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Colorado.
Public Schools in Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Colorado public school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Colorado public school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CO)
# Schools
10 Schools
1,916 Schools
# Students
2,505 Students
867,675 Students
# Teachers
166 Teachers
52,832 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 179 school districts in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 55-59% has decreased from 70% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#148 out of 179 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
32%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)13%
29%
Graduation Rate
55-59%
82%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.68
0.62
% American Indian
24%
1%
% Asian
n/a
3%
% Hispanic
21%
36%
% Black
n/a
5%
% White
47%
50%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,068 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,473. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,337 is less than the state median of $15,791. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$33 MM
$13,426 MM
Spending
$31 MM
$13,702 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,068
$15,473
Spending / Student
$12,337
$15,791
Best Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lewis-arriola Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
21434 Road U
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 882-4494
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 882-4494
Grades: K-5
| 120 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Pleasant View Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
15238 County Road Cc
Pleasant View, CO 81331
(970) 562-4286
Pleasant View, CO 81331
(970) 562-4286
Grades: K-5
| 33 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Southwest Open Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 North Dolores Road
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-1150
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-1150
Grades: 9-12
| 134 students
Rank: #44.
Montezuma-cortez High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
418 South Sligo Street
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3722
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3722
Grades: 9-12
| 601 students
Rank: #55.
Kemper Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
620 East Montezuma
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3737
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3737
Grades: K-5
| 347 students
Rank: #66.
Children's Kiva Montessori School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
601 North Mildred
Cortez, CO 81312
(970) 564-9377
Cortez, CO 81312
(970) 564-9377
Grades: K-8
| 142 students
Rank: #77.
Battle Rock Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
11247 County Road G
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3237
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3237
Grades: K-6
| 89 students
Rank: #88.
Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
703 West 7th Street
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3858
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3858
Grades: K-5
| 409 students
Rank: #99.
Montezuma-cortez Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
450 West 2nd Street
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-7824
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-7824
Grades: 6-8
| 543 students
Rank: n/an/a
510 North Beech Street
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3372
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-3372
Grades: PK
| 87 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1?
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 manages 10 public schools serving 2,505 students.
What is the rank of Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1?
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 is ranked #137 out of 179 school districts in Colorado (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Colorado school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1?
47% of Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 students are White, 24% of students are American Indian, 21% of students are Hispanic, and 8% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1?
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is lower than the Colorado state average of 16:1.
What is Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $12,337 is less than the state median of $15,791. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.