Public schools in Montrose, CO
13 open public schools with an address in Montrose, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
13
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
5,054
13 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
16.6:1
Colorado median 15.4:1
Charter schools
1
0 virtual
An overview of Montrose public schools
The federal directory lists 13 public schools in Montrose, CO: 5 elementary, 2 middle, 3 high, 3 combined or other. The 13 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 5,054 students, an average of 389 per school. The largest campus is Montrose High School (1,279 students), and the largest elementary school is Johnson Elementary School (531).
Every listed school belongs to Montrose County School District Re-1J. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 16.6:1, higher than the statewide school median of 15.4:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 3 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 1 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 2 of 3 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 54% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Montrose
Elementary schools in Montrose
5| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Elementary School Montrose County School District Re-1J | KG–05 | 394 | 17.1:1 | |
| Johnson Elementary School Montrose County School District Re-1J | PK–05 | 531 | 19.4:1 | |
| Northside Elementary School Montrose County School District Re-1J | KG–05 | 327 | 14.5:1 | |
| Oak Grove Elementary School Montrose County School District Re-1J | KG–05 | 374 | 16.3:1 | |
| Pomona Elementary School Montrose County School District Re-1J | KG–05 | 335 | 15.3:1 |
Middle schools in Montrose
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial Middle School Montrose County School District Re-1J | 06–08 | 540 | 14.7:1 | |
| Columbine Middle School Montrose County School District Re-1J | 06–08 | 491 | 16.6:1 |
High schools in Montrose
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon High School Montrose County School District Re-1J · Alternative School | 09–12 | 100 | 14.3:1 | |
| Montrose High School Montrose County School District Re-1J | 09–12 | 1,279 | 19.3:1 | |
| Vista Charter School Montrose County School District Re-1J · Charter · Alternative School | 09–12 | 188 | 31.7:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Montrose
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Center Montrose County School District Re-1J | PK–PK | 162 | 33.8:1 | |
| Outer Range Montrose County School District Re-1J | PK–12 | 71 | 8.4:1 | |
| Peak Virtual Academy Montrose County School District Re-1J | KG–12 | 262 | 19.1:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White56.4%
- Hispanic38.7%
- Black0.5%
- Asian0.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.6%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial3.2%
Enrollment-weighted across 13 Montrose schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (5,054 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Montrose
How many public schools are in Montrose, CO?
The current NCES directory lists 13 open public schools with a location address in Montrose: 5 elementary, 2 middle, 3 high, 3 combined or other. Together they reported 5,054 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Montrose?
All listed public schools with an address in Montrose belong to Montrose County School District Re-1J. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Montrose?
Montrose High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in Montrose, with 1,279 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Montrose?
Yes. 1 of the 13 public schools in Montrose are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Vista Charter School. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Montrose schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Montrose public schools is 16.6:1, higher than the Colorado school median of 15.4:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Montrose guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Colorado cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Colorado cities