For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 6,362 students in Montrose County, CO (there are 3 private schools, serving 293 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Montrose County, CO are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Montrose County, CO are Peak Virtual Academy, Cottonwood Elementary School and Montrose High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Montrose County, CO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Colorado public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Montrose County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Colorado public schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Montrose County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Peak Virtual Academy
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
526 N. 6th Street
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-7726
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-7726
Gr: K-12 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Cottonwood Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3500 Woodgate Road
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2539
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2539
Gr: K-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #33.
Montrose High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 South Selig Avenue
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-6636
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-6636
Gr: 9-12 | 1,279 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #44.
Nucla High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
225 West 4th Street
Nucla, CO 81424
(970) 864-7350
Nucla, CO 81424
(970) 864-7350
Gr: 9-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Columbine Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 South 12th Street
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2581
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2581
Gr: 6-8 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #66.
Nucla Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
141 West Main Street
Naturita, CO 81422
(970) 865-2204
Naturita, CO 81422
(970) 865-2204
Gr: PK-6 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Centennial Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1100 South 5th Street
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2576
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2576
Gr: 6-8 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #88.
Oak Grove Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
62100 Oak Grove Road
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-6867
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-6867
Gr: K-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #99.
Olathe Middle/high School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
410 Highway 50 Business Loop
Olathe, CO 81425
(970) 252-7950
Olathe, CO 81425
(970) 252-7950
Gr: 6-12 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1010.
Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
13820 6700 Road
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2584
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2584
Gr: PK-5 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1111.
Nucla Middle School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
225 West 4th Avenue
Nucla, CO 81424
(970) 864-7350
Nucla, CO 81424
(970) 864-7350
Gr: 7-8 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1212.
Olathe Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
326 North 3rd Street
Olathe, CO 81425
(970) 252-7940
Olathe, CO 81425
(970) 252-7940
Gr: PK-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1313.
Pomona Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1045 South Cascade
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2514
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2514
Gr: K-5 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1414.
Vista Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1810 St. Mary Drive
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-4470
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-4470
Gr: 9-12 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1515.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
528 North Uncompahgre
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2554
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2554
Gr: K-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
Black Canyon High School
Alternative School
126 South 5th Street
Montrose, CO 81401
(970) 964-8597
Montrose, CO 81401
(970) 964-8597
Gr: 9-12 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: n/an/a
900 Colorado Avenue
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-5858
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-5858
Gr: PK | 162 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: n/an/a
930 Colorado Ave
Montrose, CO 81403
(970) 249-7726
Montrose, CO 81403
(970) 249-7726
Gr: PK-12 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Montrose County, CO?
The top-ranked public schools in Montrose County, CO include Peak Virtual Academy, Cottonwood Elementary School and Montrose High School.
How many public schools are located in Montroseunty?
18 public schools are located in Montroseunty.
What percentage of students in Montroseunty go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Montroseunty are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Montroseunty?
Montroseunty public schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public schools average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Montroseunty are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Montroseunty include: Columbine Middle School vs. Centennial Middle School, Olathe Middle/high School vs. Montrose High School, Centennial Middle School vs. Columbine Middle School
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