At a glance
Reported students
439
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
24.28
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Colorado elementary enrollment
66th percentile
Compared with 1,017 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
371
Appleton Elementary School: 439 reported students.
State peer staffing position
88th percentile
18.1:1 reported; state peer median 15.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 421
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24.5
- Student–teacher ratio
- 17.2:1
What the reported data says about Appleton Elementary School
Appleton Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Grand Junction. It is one of 42 current school records connected to Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. NCES reports 439 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,017 elementary schools in Colorado with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 370 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 66th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.1:1, above the Colorado median of 15.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (83.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (11.8%). English learners represent 3.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 8.3%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Appleton Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 18.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 24.28 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0.5 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 3.3%
- Students with disabilities
- 8.3%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 37.4%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0.5
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White83.6%
- Hispanic11.8%
- Black0%
- Asian0.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander1.4%
- Multiracial2.3%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Thunder Mountain Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
432 reported students
Pear Park Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
428 reported students
Pomona Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
395 reported students
Rocky Mountain Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
395 reported students
Independence Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
491 reported students
Mesa View Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
375 reported students
Public schools near Appleton Elementary School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pomona Elementary School Elementary · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 | PK–05 | 395 | 2.9 mi |
| Broadway Elementary School Elementary · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 | PK–05 | 300 | 3 mi |
| Wildflower Montessori Public School of Colorado Grand Valley Elementary · Charter · State Charter School Institute | PK–04 | 40 | 3.3 mi |
| Juniper Ridge Community School Elementary · Charter · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 | KG–08 | 375 | 3.3 mi |
| Tope Elementary School Elementary · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 | PK–05 | 370 | 3.8 mi |
| Monument View Montessori Charter School Elementary · Charter · State Charter School Institute | PK–04 | 38 | 4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Appleton Elementary School
What grades does Appleton Elementary School serve?
Appleton Elementary School reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51.
How many students attend Appleton Elementary School?
Appleton Elementary School reported 439 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 66th percentile among 1,017 Colorado elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 421 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Appleton Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 18.1:1, based on 439 students and 24.28 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Colorado median for the same school level is 15.1:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Appleton Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Appleton Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Appleton Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
37.4% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Appleton Elementary School in?
Appleton Elementary School is part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51, based in Grand Junction, CO, which operates 42 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Appleton Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Pomona Elementary School (2.9 mi), Broadway Elementary School (3 mi), Wildflower Montessori Public School of Colorado Grand Valley (3.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.