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Montezuma-Cortez High School

Summary:

Montezuma-Cortez High School is a public high school in Cortez, Colorado, serving 601 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1, which is ranked 99 out of 115 school districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Montezuma-Cortez High School stands out for its significantly higher percentage of Native American students (27.95%) compared to nearby schools like Mancos High School (8.33%) and Dolores Secondary School (4.65%), reflecting the school's location in an area with a larger Native American population. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, lags behind the state and nearby schools, with only 13.4% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in CMAS/Science, compared to the state average of 24.6%. Additionally, Montezuma-Cortez High School has a significantly higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (50.08%) compared to the nearby schools.

While Montezuma-Cortez High School and Southwest Open Charter School are both part of the Montezuma-Cortez School District, they have notable differences. Southwest Open Charter School has a lower student-teacher ratio, a higher percentage of white students, and lower academic performance compared to Montezuma-Cortez High School. The school's declining statewide ranking, from 220 out of 327 Colorado high schools in 2009-2010 to 275 out of 349 in 2022-2023, suggests that the school's performance has not kept pace with other schools in the state. These insights highlight the unique challenges and opportunities for improvement at Montezuma-Cortez High School.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 418 South Sligo Street
       Cortez, CO  81321-4124

(970) 565-3722

District: Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,311 Help


Feeder schools for Montezuma-Cortez High School:

Elementary:    Kemper Elementary School
    Lewis-Arriola Elementary School
    Mesa Elementary School
    Pleasant View Charter School
Middle:    Montezuma-Cortez Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.1 Help
Number of students:  601

Racial breakdown:

White:
44.8%
American Indian:
26.0%
Hispanic:
21.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  57.4% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Montezuma-Cortez High School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 20.65. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Montezuma-Cortez High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Montezuma-Cortez High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (44.8%), American Indian (26%), Hispanic (21.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 57.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Montezuma-Cortez High School is 16.1. (See more...)
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Compare Montezuma-Cortez High School employs 37.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Montezuma-Cortez High School is $15,311.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Montezuma-Cortez High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.



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Rank History for Montezuma-Cortez High School

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Rank History for all students at Montezuma-Cortez High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 22.27 229th 279 17.9%
2005 25.22 220th 280 21.4%
2006 35.78 202nd 286 29.4%
2007 28.32 229th 298 23.2%
2008 32.65 216th 301 28.2%
2009 27.05 240th 310 22.6%
2010 37.86 220th 327 32.7%
2011 30.01 245th 337 27.3%
2012 37.01 224th 334 32.9%
2013 31.62 246th 349 29.5%
2014 38.52 241st 369 34.7%
2015 21.58 230th 292 21.2%
2018 25.02 273rd 388 29.6%
2019 28.80 283rd 411 31.1%
2023 20.65 275th 349 21.2%
See the entire list of Colorado High School Rankings!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Montezuma-Cortez High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 6.46 131st 140 6.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Montezuma-Cortez High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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District Scores:
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Data source: Colorado Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Montezuma-Cortez High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 664 4 4 70 99 n/a n/a 0 841
1989 622 3 4 73 110 n/a n/a 0 812
1990 601 0 2 73 132 n/a n/a 0 808
1991 575 2 4 119 127 n/a n/a 0 827
1992 611 1 4 74 138 n/a n/a 0 828
1993 673 1 2 73 123 n/a n/a 0 872
1994 717 3 4 69 122 n/a n/a 0 915
1995 743 3 9 91 124 n/a n/a 0 970
1996 743 3 9 91 124 n/a n/a 0 970
1997 748 3 6 109 141 n/a n/a 0 1007
1998 742 1 4 119 150 n/a n/a 0 1016
1999 758 0 5 49 168 n/a n/a 0 980
2000 693 3 0 63 144 n/a n/a 0 903
2001 621 3 4 85 172 n/a n/a 0 885
2002 580 5 5 105 162 n/a n/a 0 857
2003 580 5 5 105 162 n/a n/a 0 857
2004 601 4 4 109 171 n/a n/a 0 889
2005 620 7 6 105 173 n/a n/a 0 911
2006 584 6 8 85 176 n/a n/a 0 859
2007 521 5 6 78 164 n/a n/a 0 774
2008 533 4 6 83 205 n/a n/a 0 831
2009 500 4 6 97 220 n/a n/a 0 827
2010 468 5 3 98 186 n/a n/a 0 760
2011 417 6 3 114 156 0 25 0 721
2012 370 6 3 117 159 0 24 0 679
2013 335 6 3 126 171 0 29 0 670
2014 354 2 3 134 175 0 30 0 698
2015 349 4 3 125 149 0 33 0 663
2016 361 1 3 112 136 0 29 0 642
2017 374 3 2 120 152 2 29 0 682
2018 361 2 2 124 148 1 21 0 659
2019 342 3 3 126 172 2 19 0 667
2020 318 4 4 118 156 2 26 0 628
2021 290 2 2 118 175 1 24 0 612
2022 296 3 2 124 176 0 32 0 633
2023 277 4 0 121 168 0 31 0 601
2024 269 4 2 131 156 0 39 0 601

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Montezuma-Cortez High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 841 53.2 15.8 n/a
1989 812 53.7 15.1 19.8
1990 808 53.7 15.0 21.3
1991 827 53.2 15.5 17.8
1992 828 53.5 15.4 19
1993 872 53.6 16.3 20.1
1994 915 55.9 16.4 18.3
1995 970 55.0 17.6 17.6
1996 970 55.0 17.6 17.6
1997 1007 55.0 18.3 21.5
1998 1016 56.8 17.9 21.7
1999 980 56.4 17.4 20.5
2000 903 59.8 15.1 24.5
2001 885 57.5 15.4 24.9
2002 857 56.5 15.2 30.2
2003 857 56.5 15.2 30.2
2004 889 60.3 14.7 28.6
2005 911 50.9 17.9 29
2006 859 52.2 16.5 29.9
2007 774 54.1 14.3 30.7
2008 831 46.0 18.1 33.7
2009 827 51.0 16.2 36.8
2010 760 50.2 15.1 41.1
2011 721 48.3 14.9 48.4
2012 679 41.7 16.2 41.2
2013 670 41.7 16.0 42.7
2014 698 39.3 17.7 45.8
2015 663 42.0 15.7 41
2016 642 41.0 15.6 42.2
2017 682 42.5 16.0 54.5
2018 659 40.5 16.2 38.5
2019 667 40.1 16.6 42.9
2020 628 41.5 15.1 41.1
2021 612 39.2 15.5 39.9
2022 633 35.1 18.0 47.1
2023 601 33.3 17.9 50.1
2024 601 37.2 16.1 57.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Montezuma-Cortez High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 841 53.2 15.8 n/a
1989 812 53.7 15.1 19.8
1990 808 53.7 15.0 21.3
1991 827 53.2 15.5 17.8
1992 828 53.5 15.4 19
1993 872 53.6 16.3 20.1
1994 915 55.9 16.4 18.3
1995 970 55.0 17.6 17.6
1996 970 55.0 17.6 17.6
1997 1007 55.0 18.3 21.5
1998 1016 56.8 17.9 21.7
1999 980 56.4 17.4 20.5
2000 903 59.8 15.1 24.5
2001 885 57.5 15.4 24.9
2002 857 56.5 15.2 30.2
2003 857 56.5 15.2 30.2
2004 889 60.3 14.7 28.6
2005 911 50.9 17.9 29
2006 859 52.2 16.5 29.9
2007 774 54.1 14.3 30.7
2008 831 46.0 18.1 33.7
2009 827 51.0 16.2 36.8
2010 760 50.2 15.1 41.1
2011 721 48.3 14.9 48.4
2012 679 41.7 16.2 41.2
2013 670 41.7 16.0 42.7
2014 698 39.3 17.7 45.8
2015 663 42.0 15.7 41
2016 642 41.0 15.6 42.2
2017 682 42.5 16.0 54.5
2018 659 40.5 16.2 38.5
2019 667 40.1 16.6 42.9
2020 628 41.5 15.1 41.1
2021 612 39.2 15.5 39.9
2022 633 35.1 18.0 47.1
2023 601 33.3 17.9 50.1
2024 601 37.2 16.1 57.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Montezuma-Cortez High School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $11,362
2020 $11,331
2021 $12,318
2022 $12,730
2023 $15,311

Data source: Colorado Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Montezuma-Cortez High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 283rd of 411 High schoolsRanks 275th of 349 High schools
 9.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students667601
 9.9%
African American34
 33.3%
American Indian172168
 2.3%
Asian30
 100%
Hispanic126121
 4%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White342277
 19%
Two or More Races1931
 63.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients42.9%50.1%
 7.2%

Schools Near Montezuma-Cortez High School








Frequently Asked Questions about Montezuma-Cortez High School

Montezuma-Cortez High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Kemper Elementary School
Elementary : Lewis-Arriola Elementary School
Elementary : Mesa Elementary School
Elementary : Pleasant View Charter School
Middle : Montezuma-Cortez Middle School

In the 2023-24 school year, 601 students attended Montezuma-Cortez High School.

Students at Montezuma-Cortez High School are 45% White, 26% American Indian, 22% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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