For the 2025 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 Nucla High School, Peak Virtual Academy 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 25% (versus the Colorado public school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Montrose County have an average ranking of 5/10, 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 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Montrose County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Nucla High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
225 West 4th Street
Nucla, CO 81424
(970) 864-7350
Nucla, CO 81424
(970) 864-7350
Grades: 9-12
| 63 students
Rank: #22.
Peak Virtual Academy
(Math: 30-34% | 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
Grades: K-12
| 221 students
Rank: #33.
Montrose High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 South Selig Avenue
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-6636
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-6636
Grades: 9-12
| 1,275 students
Rank: #44.
Cottonwood Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3500 Woodgate Road
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2539
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2539
Grades: K-5
| 412 students
Rank: #55.
Columbine Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 South 12th Street
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2581
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2581
Grades: 6-8
| 508 students
Rank: #66.
Centennial Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1100 South 5th Street
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2576
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2576
Grades: 6-8
| 555 students
Rank: #77.
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
Grades: K-5
| 387 students
Rank: #88.
Olathe Middle/high School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
410 Highway 50 Business Loop
Olathe, CO 81425
(970) 252-7950
Olathe, CO 81425
(970) 252-7950
Grades: 6-12
| 497 students
Rank: #99.
Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
13820 6700 Road
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2584
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2584
Grades: PK-5
| 528 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Nucla Middle School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
225 West 4th Avenue
Nucla, CO 81424
(970) 864-7350
Nucla, CO 81424
(970) 864-7350
Grades: 7-8
| 31 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Vista Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1810 St. Mary Drive
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-4470
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-4470
Grades: 9-12
| 177 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 432 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
528 North Uncompahgre
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2554
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2554
Grades: K-5
| 338 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
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
Grades: K-5
| 328 students
Rank: #1515.
Olathe Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
326 Highway 50
Olathe, CO 81425
(970) 252-7950
Olathe, CO 81425
(970) 252-7950
Grades: 6-8
| 239 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 118 students
Rank: n/an/a
900 Colorado Avenue
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-5858
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-5858
Grades: PK
| 170 students
Montrose County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
141 West Main Street
Naturita, CO 81422
(970) 865-2204
Naturita, CO 81422
(970) 865-2204
Grades: PK-6
| 162 students
P O Box 400
Naturita, CO 81422
(970) 865-2204
Naturita, CO 81422
(970) 865-2204
Grades: 6-8
| 65 students
Paradox Valley Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
21501 6 Mile Road
Paradox, CO 81429
(970) 859-7236
Paradox, CO 81429
(970) 859-7236
Grades: PK-12
| 18 students
Passage Charter School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
703 South 9th Street
Montrose, CO 81401
(970) 249-1472
Montrose, CO 81401
(970) 249-1472
Grades: 9-12
| 22 students
Vista Adult High School (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
P O Box 10,000
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2944
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-2944
Grades: 9-12
| 102 students
West End Charter Learning Center (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
P O Box 190
Naturita, CO 81422
(970) 865-2290
Naturita, CO 81422
(970) 865-2290
Grades: 7-12
| 6 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Montrose County, CO?
The top ranked public schools in Montrose County, CO include Nucla High School, Peak Virtual Academy 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 50% (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, Centennial Middle School vs. Columbine Middle School, Oak Grove Elementary School vs. Cottonwood Elementary School
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