New Emerson School at Columbus

Q: Is New Emerson School at Columbus a good school?

New Emerson School at Columbus ranks 126 th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

New Emerson School at Columbus is a public magnet elementary school serving 139 students in grades K-5 in Grand Junction, Colorado, which is part of the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51.

New Emerson School at Columbus consistently outperforms the district and state averages on CMAS tests, with 65.2% of students proficient or better in CMAS Math compared to 31.8% for the district and 34.2% for the state. The school has been ranked among the top 13.4% of elementary schools in Colorado, reaching as high as #10 out of 929 schools in 2016-2017. However, the student population is less racially diverse compared to some nearby schools, such as Orchard Avenue Elementary School and Tope Elementary School. The school maintains a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 15.2 to 16.1 over the past three school years, which is lower than the ratios at many nearby schools.

Overall, New Emerson School at Columbus stands out as a high-performing elementary school that consistently delivers excellent academic results for its students. The school's strong rankings, test scores, and low student-teacher ratio make it a standout in the Grand Junction area and the state of Colorado.

Detail:

Public, Magnet K-5

2660 Unaweep Ave
Grand Junction, CO 81503-1845

(970) 254-6500

District: Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

SchoolDigger Rank:
126^th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,640

Student/teacher ratio: 16.1

Number of students: 139

Racial breakdown:

White:

87.8%

Hispanic:

5.8%

Two or more races:

3.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 6.5%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare New Emerson School at Columbus to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details New Emerson School at Columbus ranks better than 86.6% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 4^th among 27 ranked elementary schools in the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 84.69. (See more...)

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

Compare Details New Emerson School at Columbus has the largest elementary school student body size in the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. (See more...)

Compare Details

Teachers

Compare Details

Compare

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at New Emerson School at Columbus is $14,640, which is the 10^th highest among 27 elementary schools in the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51.

Schooldigger Rankings:

New Emerson School at Columbus was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51:

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

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for New Emerson School at Columbus.

What do you think?

Your rating for New Emerson School at Columbus?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for New Emerson School at Columbus

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CO State Percentile
2004	86.23	79^th	808	90.2%
2005	88.02	55^th	823	93.3%
2006	83.54	101^st	829	87.8%
2007	81.03	127^th	852	85.1%
2008	68.39	268^th	849	68.4%
2009	82.42	128^th	872	85.3%
2010	82.42	139^th	925	85.0%
2011	82.68	139^th	935	85.1%
2012	90.16	58^th	935	93.8%
2013	92.84	31^st	954	96.8%
2014	93.35	27^th	962	97.2%
2015	93.75	44^th	938	95.3%
2016	94.94	30^th	914	96.7%
2017	97.73	10^th	929	98.9%
2019	93.63	39^th	965	96.0%
2021	87.85	78^th	710	89.0%
2022	80.34	163^rd	921	82.3%
2023	89.78	77^th	933	91.7%
2024	84.69	126^th	943	86.6%

See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

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

Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for New Emerson School at Columbus

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1997	39	2	2	8	0	n/a	n/a	51
1998	53	0	3	11	1	n/a	n/a	68
1999	52	0	3	2	1	n/a	n/a	58
2000	79	1	3	5	1	n/a	n/a	89
2001	92	2	7	8	1	n/a	n/a	110
2002	104	3	8	12	3	n/a	n/a	130
2003	104	3	8	12	3	n/a	n/a	130
2004	128	3	6	46	4	n/a	n/a	187
2005	108	2	5	13	1	n/a	n/a	129
2006	107	2	6	13	2	n/a	n/a	130
2007	106	0	4	16	3	n/a	n/a	129
2008	111	0	4	13	2	n/a	n/a	130
2009	112	1	5	14	2	n/a	n/a	134
2010	102	3	5	16	3	n/a	n/a	129
2011	107	2	2	13	0	0	9	133
2012	128	2	0	13	0	0	7	150
2013	129	3	2	11	1	0	4	150
2014	121	2	4	11	1	0	4	143
2015	120	1	4	10	1	0	5	141
2016	124	1	3	10	1	0	5	144
2017	117	2	5	11	1	0	6	142
2018	118	2	6	8	1	0	5	140
2019	120	1	7	8	0	0	4	140
2020	122	1	5	8	0	0	5	141
2021	110	3	5	7	0	0	5	130
2022	117	3	5	10	0	0	6	141
2023	122	2	2	8	0	0	5	139

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 New Emerson School at Columbus

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	51	0.0	0.0	0
1998	68	0.0	0.0	10.3
1999	58	3.0	19.3	0
2000	89	4.0	22.3	18
2001	110	5.0	22.0	19.1
2002	130	6.3	20.6	24.6
2003	130	6.3	20.6	24.6
2004	187	11.3	16.5	31.6
2005	129	6.7	19.3	14
2006	130	6.2	21.0	12.3
2007	129	4.2	30.7	9.3
2008	130	5.4	24.1	14.6
2009	134	5.8	23.1	12.7
2010	129	6.6	19.4	14.7
2011	133	6.8	19.3	11.3
2012	150	6.5	23.0	12.7
2013	150	6.0	25.0	14
2014	143	7.2	19.7	6.3
2015	141	8.0	17.6	8.5
2016	144	8.0	18.0	11.1
2017	142	8.5	16.7	14.1
2018	140	8.0	17.5	9.3
2019	140	8.5	16.3	9.3
2020	141	8.5	16.5	7.8
2021	130	8.5	15.2	14.6
2022	141	8.8	15.9	9.9
2023	139	8.6	16.1	6.5

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 New Emerson School at Columbus

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	51	0.0	0.0	0
1998	68	0.0	0.0	10.3
1999	58	3.0	19.3	0
2000	89	4.0	22.3	18
2001	110	5.0	22.0	19.1
2002	130	6.3	20.6	24.6
2003	130	6.3	20.6	24.6
2004	187	11.3	16.5	31.6
2005	129	6.7	19.3	14
2006	130	6.2	21.0	12.3
2007	129	4.2	30.7	9.3
2008	130	5.4	24.1	14.6
2009	134	5.8	23.1	12.7
2010	129	6.6	19.4	14.7
2011	133	6.8	19.3	11.3
2012	150	6.5	23.0	12.7
2013	150	6.0	25.0	14
2014	143	7.2	19.7	6.3
2015	141	8.0	17.6	8.5
2016	144	8.0	18.0	11.1
2017	142	8.5	16.7	14.1
2018	140	8.0	17.5	9.3
2019	140	8.5	16.3	9.3
2020	141	8.5	16.5	7.8
2021	130	8.5	15.2	14.6
2022	141	8.8	15.9	9.9
2023	139	8.6	16.1	6.5

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 New Emerson School at Columbus

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2019	$12,255
2020	$13,949
2021	$12,947
2022	$12,902
2023	$14,640

Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on New Emerson School at Columbus

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 39^th of 965 Elementary schools	Ranks 77^th of 933 Elementary schools	4.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (New Emerson School at Columbus)	87.5	65.2	22.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)	32.9	37.4	4.5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)	41.3	39.9	1.4%
3rd Grade Math (New Emerson School at Columbus)	95.8	69.6	26.2%
3rd Grade Math (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)	31.8	38.3	6.5%
3rd Grade Math (Colorado)	41	40.4	0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (New Emerson School at Columbus)	77.3	72.7	4.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)	42	39.6	2.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)	48	43.8	4.2%
4th Grade Math (New Emerson School at Columbus)	59.1	56.5	2.6%
4th Grade Math (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)	22.9	28.4	5.5%
4th Grade Math (Colorado)	33.6	32.7	0.9%
5th Grade Science (New Emerson School at Columbus)	75	54.5	20.5%
5th Grade Science (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)	28	32.1	4.1%
5th Grade Science (Colorado)	35.9	33.9	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (New Emerson School at Columbus)	65	76.2	11.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)	41.1	46.7	5.6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)	48.4	47.8	0.6%
5th Grade Math (New Emerson School at Columbus)	60	59.1	0.9%
5th Grade Math (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)	23.5	36.4	12.9%
5th Grade Math (Colorado)	35.7	36.5	0.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (New Emerson School at Columbus)	77.3	71.2	6.1%
All Grades English Language Arts (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)	36	39.2	3.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)	45.8	43.7	2.1%
All Grades Math (New Emerson School at Columbus)	72.7	61.8	10.9%
All Grades Math (Mesa County Valley School District No. 51)	24.4	29.1	4.7%
All Grades Math (Colorado)	34.7	32.9	1.8%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	140	139	0.7%
African American	1	2	100%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	7	2	71.4%
Hispanic	8	8
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	120	122	1.7%
Two or More Races	4	5	25%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	9.3%	6.5%	2.8%

Schools Near New Emerson School at Columbus

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				CMAS English Language Arts (2024)				CMAS Math (2024)				CMAS Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CMAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Math 3rd Grade	CMAS Math 4th Grade	CMAS Math 5th Grade	CMAS Math All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	Total
New Emerson School at Columbus	Public, Magnet	K-5	2660 Unaweep Ave	Grand Junction	81503	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	Yes	No	No	(970) 254-6500	139	9	16.1	6.5%	122 (87.8%)	2 (1.4%)	8 (5.8%)	2 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.6%)	84.7	126^th of 943 public elementary schools	86.6%		89.8	77^th of 933 public elementary schools	91.7%	49	45.5	68.2	66.7	60.0	68.2	63.6	63.6	65.2	63.6	$14,640
Dos Rios Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	265 Linden Ave	Grand Junction	81503	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-7910	287	19	15.3	77.7%	177 (61.7%)	1 (0.3%)	102 (35.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.4%)	20.8	734^th of 943 public elementary schools	22.2%		18.4	759^th of 933 public elementary schools	18.6%	25	23.7	28.6	15.2	23.0	31.6	26.8	20.6	26.5	14.7	$15,969
Chipeta Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	950 Chipeta Avenue	Grand Junction	81501	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-6825	375	27	14.1	66.4%	223 (59.5%)	3 (0.8%)	132 (35.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	2 (0.5%)	12 (3.2%)	34.4	564^th of 943 public elementary schools	40.2%		28.7	618^th of 933 public elementary schools	33.8%	54	26.6	44.3	29.6	33.5	43.1	30.6	24.6	33.2	25.5	$15,497
Dual Immersion Academy School	Public	PK, KG-5	552 A West Main Street	Grand Junction	81501	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-6070	300	15	19.5	51.7%	80 (26.7%)	1 (0.3%)	215 (71.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	39.4	531^st of 943 public elementary schools	43.7%		59.7	349^th of 933 public elementary schools	62.6%	182	43.8	48.9	42.5	45.3	27.1	19.1	27.7	24.6	39.1	$13,075
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2888 B1/2 Road	Grand Junction	81503	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-7940	342	22	15.8	51.5%	248 (72.5%)	0 (0.0%)	85 (24.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.3%)	43.3	493^rd of 943 public elementary schools	47.7%		49.4	442^nd of 933 public elementary schools	52.6%	51	38.3	36.8	36.2	37.1	48.9	29.8	40.4	39.1	31.9	$15,188
Orchard Avenue Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1800 Orchard Ave	Grand Junction	81501	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-7560	337	25	13.7	54.0%	251 (74.5%)	1 (0.3%)	66 (19.6%)	3 (0.9%)	4 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.6%)	50.9	440^th of 943 public elementary schools	53.3%		49.4	440^th of 933 public elementary schools	52.8%		39.6	38.8	58.1	44.8	27.8	34.0	42.9	34.2	53.5	$15,499
Tope Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2220 N 7th St	Grand Junction	81501	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-7070	365	18	20.4	43.6%	255 (69.9%)	5 (1.4%)	85 (23.3%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (4.4%)	60.5	361^st of 943 public elementary schools	61.7%		53.9	401^st of 933 public elementary schools	57.0%	40	50.0	60.8	50.0	53.7	51.0	51.0	30.2	44.8	27.9	$13,073
Nisley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	543 28-3/4 Road	Grand Junction	81501	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-5900	349	26	13.2	79.7%	184 (52.7%)	10 (2.9%)	133 (38.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.2%)	10.1	879^th of 943 public elementary schools	6.8%		14	828^th of 933 public elementary schools	11.3%	51	16.7	20.0	26.3	21.0			10.0	10.7	8.3	$15,295
Pomona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	588 25-1/2 Road	Grand Junction	81505	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	No	(970) 254-4990	347	24	14.5	44.4%	234 (67.4%)	1 (0.3%)	90 (25.9%)	6 (1.7%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.2%)	56.2	397^th of 943 public elementary schools	57.9%		40.7	508^th of 933 public elementary schools	45.6%	111	39.1	60.7	54.7	50.6	41.4	54.4	28.3	41.7	34.6	$14,577
Mesa View Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2967 B Road	Grand Junction	81503	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-7970	389	24	16.1	53.7%	284 (73.0%)	0 (0.0%)	78 (20.1%)	4 (1.0%)	7 (1.8%)	2 (0.5%)	14 (3.6%)	56.2	396^th of 943 public elementary schools	58.0%		54.6	393^rd of 933 public elementary schools	57.9%	3	42.1	44.9	52.0	46.2	49.1	34.7	46.0	43.6	38.8	$14,640

Frequently Asked Questions about New Emerson School at Columbus

Is New Emerson School at Columbus a good school?

New Emerson School at Columbus ranks 126^th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of New Emerson School at Columbus?

Students at New Emerson School at Columbus are 88% White, 6% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 1% African American, 1% Asian.

What district is New Emerson School at Columbus in?

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

How many students attend New Emerson School at Columbus?

In the 2022-23 school year, 139 students attended New Emerson School at Columbus.

Rate New Emerson School at Columbus!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

COColorado Elementary School Rankings

COColorado District Rankings

Schools in Grand Junction, CO

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for New Emerson School at Columbus!

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.