Orchard Mesa Middle School

Summary:

Orchard Mesa Middle School is a public middle school in Grand Junction, Colorado, serving 465 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51, which is ranked 52 out of 116 school districts in the state and has a 3-star rating.

Orchard Mesa Middle School stands out for its higher percentage of Hispanic students (25.16%) compared to nearby schools like Fruita Middle School (9.48%) and Mount Garfield Middle School (38.55%). The school also has a significantly higher rate of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (56.77%) than the surrounding schools. Additionally, Orchard Mesa has a higher student-teacher ratio of 16.5, compared to a range of 13.3 to 16.6 at nearby schools.

Academically, Orchard Mesa Middle School's performance on CMAS tests is generally lower than the district and state averages, as well as the nearby Redlands Middle School, Grand Mesa Middle School, West Middle School, and Bookcliff Middle School. The school's statewide ranking has also declined in recent years, suggesting it is struggling to keep up with the performance of other middle schools in Colorado. However, the school's Gifted and Talented students perform exceptionally well, ranking 3 out of 126 Colorado middle schools.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 2736 C Road
       Grand Junction, CO  81503-2084


(970) 254-6320

District: Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

SchoolDigger Rank:
197th of 485 Colorado Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,486 Help


Students who attend Orchard Mesa Middle School usually attend:

High:    Grand Junction High School

Feeder schools for Orchard Mesa Middle School:

Elementary:    Dos Rios Elementary School
    Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School
    Mesa View Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.5 Help
Number of students:  465

Racial breakdown:

White:
70.3%
Hispanic:
25.2%
Two or more races:
2.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  56.8% Help


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 Compare Orchard Mesa Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Orchard Mesa Middle School ranks better than 59.4% of middle schools in Colorado. It also ranks 2nd among 7 ranked middle schools in the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 52.3. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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
Help
Compare Details Orchard Mesa Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Orchard Mesa Middle School is $14,486. 3 middle schools in the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Orchard Mesa Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Orchard Mesa Middle School 197th of 485 Colorado public middle schools. (See Orchard Mesa Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Mesa County Valley School District No. 51:

SchoolDigger ranks Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 52nd of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Orchard Mesa Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Orchard Mesa Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 44.21 196th 336 41.7%
2005 35.28 244th 340 28.2%
2006 40.23 226th 346 34.7%
2007 41.41 233rd 360 35.3%
2008 33.74 264th 362 27.1%
2009 44.93 232nd 377 38.5%
2010 44.09 247th 409 39.6%
2011 35.54 295th 422 30.1%
2012 41.35 263rd 425 38.1%
2013 45.94 263rd 454 42.1%
2014 44.88 252nd 461 45.3%
2015 23.00 348th 436 20.2%
2016 20.35 330th 400 17.5%
2017 18.90 348th 424 17.9%
2018 17.16 345th 418 17.5%
2019 17.56 375th 458 18.1%
2021 18.12 321st 369 13.0%
2022 20.12 350th 448 21.9%
2023 23.36 348th 480 27.5%
2024 52.30 197th 485 59.4%
See the entire list of Colorado Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Orchard Mesa Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.90 195th 222 12.2%
2019 30.40 170th 240 29.2%
2021 34.97 77th 114 32.5%
2022 39.86 107th 197 45.7%
2023 29.84 170th 241 29.5%
2024 53.00 93rd 244 61.9%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Orchard Mesa Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.64 282nd 315 10.5%
2019 14.42 304th 352 13.6%
2021 18.21 227th 254 10.6%
2022 14.12 286th 326 12.3%
2023 19.17 287th 363 20.9%
2024 47.10 163rd 350 53.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Orchard Mesa Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 82.06 3rd 126 97.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Orchard Mesa Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.43 256th 317 19.2%
2019 20.09 269th 343 21.6%
2021 13.81 235th 249 5.6%
2022 20.16 256th 328 22.0%
2023 21.12 270th 356 24.2%
2024 46.82 165th 357 53.8%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Orchard Mesa Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 56.90 68th 199 65.8%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Orchard Mesa Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 5.56 196th 199 1.5%
2019 7.48 277th 283 2.1%
2021 5.13 202nd 203 0.5%
2022 6.89 256th 265 3.4%
2023 8.25 269th 286 5.9%
2024 33.94 182nd 273 33.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Middle Schools for White 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.

Orchard Mesa Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a teacher
Monday, April 17, 2017

Open Quote Cohesive and dedicated staff. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Orchard Mesa Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 566 2 6 61 1 n/a n/a 0 636
1989 596 3 4 61 1 n/a n/a 0 665
1990 634 2 3 66 1 n/a n/a 0 706
1991 545 1 4 68 1 n/a n/a 0 619
1992 541 0 3 72 5 n/a n/a 0 621
1993 538 0 0 52 4 n/a n/a 0 594
1994 520 0 1 59 3 n/a n/a 0 583
1995 536 3 1 60 6 n/a n/a 0 606
1996 536 3 1 60 6 n/a n/a 0 606
1997 520 4 2 62 9 n/a n/a 0 597
1998 516 4 1 66 7 n/a n/a 0 594
1999 521 5 2 68 9 n/a n/a 0 605
2000 482 4 1 72 7 n/a n/a 0 566
2001 482 6 3 89 8 n/a n/a 0 588
2002 495 6 3 91 9 n/a n/a 0 604
2003 495 6 3 91 9 n/a n/a 0 604
2004 474 4 2 84 10 n/a n/a 0 574
2005 445 6 3 87 9 n/a n/a 0 550
2006 449 7 3 87 13 n/a n/a 0 559
2007 437 10 3 87 10 n/a n/a 0 547
2008 450 9 2 95 11 n/a n/a 0 567
2009 392 11 1 111 11 n/a n/a 0 526
2010 373 7 4 111 13 n/a n/a 0 508
2011 376 2 4 137 4 0 14 0 537
2012 373 1 5 123 7 0 21 0 530
2013 380 3 3 119 4 3 20 0 532
2014 350 2 2 121 2 1 27 0 505
2015 370 2 2 113 7 1 20 0 515
2016 343 3 4 130 5 0 17 0 502
2017 337 3 3 121 3 0 19 0 486
2018 341 3 2 128 3 0 17 0 494
2019 342 0 2 115 2 3 24 0 488
2020 331 3 4 115 2 1 32 0 488
2021 336 4 5 136 0 1 27 0 509
2022 313 5 4 126 1 1 17 0 467
2023 327 4 1 117 3 0 13 0 465

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 Orchard Mesa Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 636 37.8 16.8 n/a
1989 665 37.7 17.6 23.8
1990 706 39.7 17.7 22.9
1991 619 39.1 15.8 26.7
1992 621 39.7 15.6 17.6
1993 594 37.2 16.0 21.5
1994 583 34.0 17.1 22.6
1995 606 36.9 16.4 43.2
1996 606 36.9 16.4 43.2
1997 597 37.0 16.1 43.6
1998 594 35.0 17.0 31.8
1999 605 35.1 17.2 27.6
2000 566 33.5 16.9 42.8
2001 588 33.9 17.3 41.8
2002 604 40.0 15.1 48.5
2003 604 40.0 15.1 48.5
2004 574 36.8 15.6 51.2
2005 550 36.0 15.3 53.5
2006 559 35.2 15.9 52.4
2007 547 35.4 15.5 36
2008 567 34.5 16.4 48.9
2009 526 35.2 14.9 51.3
2010 508 33.8 15.0 58.9
2011 537 34.9 15.3 58.1
2012 530 36.0 14.7 56.4
2013 532 34.4 15.4 57.9
2014 505 33.8 14.9 51.7
2015 515 34.0 15.1 52.2
2016 502 33.0 15.2 60.2
2017 486 33.3 14.5 64.2
2018 494 32.7 15.0 60.1
2019 488 34.9 13.9 66
2020 488 32.6 14.9 55.1
2021 509 31.1 16.3 65.2
2022 467 30.8 15.1 61.7
2023 465 28.0 16.5 56.8

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 Orchard Mesa Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 636 37.8 16.8 n/a
1989 665 37.7 17.6 23.8
1990 706 39.7 17.7 22.9
1991 619 39.1 15.8 26.7
1992 621 39.7 15.6 17.6
1993 594 37.2 16.0 21.5
1994 583 34.0 17.1 22.6
1995 606 36.9 16.4 43.2
1996 606 36.9 16.4 43.2
1997 597 37.0 16.1 43.6
1998 594 35.0 17.0 31.8
1999 605 35.1 17.2 27.6
2000 566 33.5 16.9 42.8
2001 588 33.9 17.3 41.8
2002 604 40.0 15.1 48.5
2003 604 40.0 15.1 48.5
2004 574 36.8 15.6 51.2
2005 550 36.0 15.3 53.5
2006 559 35.2 15.9 52.4
2007 547 35.4 15.5 36
2008 567 34.5 16.4 48.9
2009 526 35.2 14.9 51.3
2010 508 33.8 15.0 58.9
2011 537 34.9 15.3 58.1
2012 530 36.0 14.7 56.4
2013 532 34.4 15.4 57.9
2014 505 33.8 14.9 51.7
2015 515 34.0 15.1 52.2
2016 502 33.0 15.2 60.2
2017 486 33.3 14.5 64.2
2018 494 32.7 15.0 60.1
2019 488 34.9 13.9 66
2020 488 32.6 14.9 55.1
2021 509 31.1 16.3 65.2
2022 467 30.8 15.1 61.7
2023 465 28.0 16.5 56.8

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 Orchard Mesa Middle School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $12,400
2020 $14,198
2021 $12,556
2022 $13,515
2023 $14,486

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Orchard Mesa Middle 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 375th of 458 Middle schoolsRanks 348th of 480 Middle schools
 9.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Orchard Mesa Middle School)25.229.8
 4.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)32.836.2
 3.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)43.643.4
 0.2%
6th Grade Math (Orchard Mesa Middle School)12.816.8
 4%
   6th Grade Math (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)21.522.8
 1.3%
   6th Grade Math (Colorado)29.528.2
 1.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Orchard Mesa Middle School)18.322
 3.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)32.738.3
 5.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.545
 1.5%
7th Grade Math (Orchard Mesa Middle School)8.312.3
 4%
   7th Grade Math (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)21.119.6
 1.5%
   7th Grade Math (Colorado)31.626.3
 5.3%
8th Grade Science (Orchard Mesa Middle School)22.327
 4.7%
   8th Grade Science (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)22.126.5
 4.4%
   8th Grade Science (Colorado)31.531.3
 0.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Orchard Mesa Middle School)35.332.4
 2.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)34.636.6
 2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.942.4
 4.5%
8th Grade Math (Orchard Mesa Middle School)21.816.3
 5.5%
   8th Grade Math (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)25.628.1
 2.5%
   8th Grade Math (Colorado)36.932.7
 4.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Orchard Mesa Middle School)26.427.9
 1.5%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)3639.2
 3.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Orchard Mesa Middle School)14.415.2
 0.8%
   All Grades Math (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)24.429.1
 4.7%
   All Grades Math (Colorado)34.732.9
 1.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students488465
 4.7%
African American04
American Indian23
 50%
Asian21
 50%
Hispanic115117
 1.7%
Pacific Islander30
 100%
White342327
 4.4%
Two or More Races2413
 45.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients66%56.8%
 9.2%


Schools Near Orchard Mesa Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Orchard Mesa Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 465 students attended Orchard Mesa Middle School.

Students at Orchard Mesa Middle School are 70% White, 25% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

Students who attend Orchard Mesa Middle School usually go on to attend Grand Junction High School

Orchard Mesa Middle School ranks 197th of 485 Colorado middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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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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