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Independence Academy

Q: Is Independence Academy a good school?

Independence Academy ranks 413 th of 950 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades PK, KG-8

413^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 950 Colorado Elementary Schools

Better than 57% of Colorado elementary schools

Summary

Independence Academy is a public charter elementary and middle school serving 487 students in grades PK-8 in Grand Junction, Colorado, which is part of the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. The school consistently outperforms the district and state averages on CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) tests, with particularly strong results in science and English Language Arts.

In 2024-2025, Independence Academy's 5th grade science proficiency rate was 56.9%, compared to 39.2% for the district and 39% for the state. Its overall English Language Arts proficiency rate was 49.2%, compared to 43.1% for the district and 44.8% for the state. However, the school's performance for its white student population is relatively weaker, ranking in the bottom half of Colorado elementary schools, suggesting a need to focus on addressing the needs of this subgroup.

Compared to nearby schools in the same district, Independence Academy consistently outperforms them in academic achievement. For example, its 5th grade science proficiency rate was 56.9%, while the district average was 39.2% and the state average was 39%. The school also has a significantly lower percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds compared to the surrounding schools, ranking 3rd out of 337 Colorado elementary schools for low socioeconomic status students. This indicates that Independence Academy is providing a high-quality education that sets it apart from other schools in the area.

491

Students ?

17.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,755

Per pupil spending ?

87.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

675 29 Rd
Grand Junction, CO 81504

(970) 254-6850

District: Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.3%

Hispanic:

12.2%

Two or more races:

2.4%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Independence Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 61st percentile in 2015 → 57th in 2025

Strengths

✓Above the Colorado median (57th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school43%

District avg39%

Colorado avg40%

Elementary school

413^th of 950

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 43%▼ down 4 pts since 2015

From top 39% (2015) to top 43% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

181^st of 469

Colorado public middle schools ?

Top 39%▲ up 23 pts since 2015

From bottom 39% (2015) to top 39% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

15^th of 26Elementary Schools in the Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

40^th of 115Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 among Colorado districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	54.2	413 of 950	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.1	312 of 943	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	55.4	385 of 933	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.1	432 of 921	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.9	303 of 710	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	67.1	296 of 965	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.0	424 of 917	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	64.2	295 of 929	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	76.8	176 of 914	80.7%	★★★★☆
2015	56.7	366 of 938	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2014	64.5	339 of 962	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	62.5	369 of 954	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	46.6	548 of 935	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	41.4	594 of 935	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	52.8	489 of 925	47.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	52.7	297 of 694	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.6	226 of 684	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.2	249 of 642	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.1	268 of 595	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.1	164 of 351	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	64.7	236 of 758	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.9	306 of 690	55.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	98.0	3 of 337	99.1%	★★★★★
2024	98.1	3 of 365	99.2%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	57.6	273 of 700	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.7	325 of 683	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	39.1	382 of 649	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.5	388 of 594	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.5	263 of 352	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	43.9	396 of 764	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.4	382 of 693	44.9%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	22.8	458 of 551	16.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	38.0	354 of 539	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	29.1	399 of 525	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.7	390 of 454	14.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	40.6	205 of 288	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	50.4	293 of 596	50.8%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	54.7	181 of 469	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.5	172 of 485	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.7	216 of 480	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	40.9	245 of 448	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	41.8	195 of 369	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	80.5	67 of 458	85.4%	★★★★☆
2018	47.9	193 of 418	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	37.7	245 of 424	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	46.5	191 of 400	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	36.8	267 of 436	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	56.8	189 of 461	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	31.8	329 of 454	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	32.3	302 of 425	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	12.9	376 of 422	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	39.2	273 of 409	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2009	6.8	357 of 377	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	38.5	241 of 362	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2007	36.4	256 of 360	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	61.4	121 of 347	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.9	120 of 350	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.3	171 of 363	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	35.8	195 of 326	40.2%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2024	82.6	21 of 244	91.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	44.9	168 of 352	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.0	175 of 357	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.1	160 of 356	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	41.0	174 of 328	47.0%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	20.6	227 of 275	17.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	38.8	162 of 273	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.2	216 of 286	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	64.8	82 of 283	71.0%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)99th percentile+43 vs school

Male (2025)61st percentile+4 vs school

Female (2025)57th percentile~ school

White (2025)17th percentile-40 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2024)91st percentile+27 vs school

Female (2025)65th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2025)52nd percentile-9 vs school

White (2025)17th percentile-44 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2024-2025) ?

Science50%+12 vs state

English Language Arts49%+4 vs state

Math34%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Independence Academy

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CMAS English Language Arts (2025)							CMAS Math (2025)							CMAS Science (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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 6th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Math 3rd Grade	CMAS Math 4th Grade	CMAS Math 5th Grade	CMAS Math 6th Grade	CMAS Math 7th Grade	CMAS Math 8th Grade	CMAS Math All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	CMAS Science 8th Grade	Total
Independence Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	675 29 Rd	Grand Junction	81504	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	Yes	No	No	No	(970) 254-6850	491	28	17.2	87.6%	414 (84.3%)	0 (0.0%)	60 (12.2%)	3 (0.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.4%)	54.2	413^th of 950 public elementary schools	56.5%		65.1	312^th of 943 public elementary schools	66.9%	101	47.2	36.0	56.9	49.1	59.6	44.7	49.2	49.1	12.0	49.0	29.1	33.3	31.9	34.2	56.9	42.6	$10,755
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	346	21	16.4	81.5%	185 (53.5%)	4 (1.2%)	134 (38.7%)	3 (0.9%)	4 (1.2%)	2 (0.6%)	14 (4.0%)	15	805^th of 950 public elementary schools	15.3%		10.1	879^th of 943 public elementary schools	6.8%	74	22.2	12.5	22.9				20.0	25.5	12.5	18.8				19.7	22.9		$16,166
Fruitvale Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	585 30 Road	Grand Junction	81504	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-5930	358	28	13.0	70.1%	223 (62.3%)	1 (0.3%)	118 (33.0%)	3 (0.8%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.5%)	27.2	642^nd of 950 public elementary schools	32.4%		24.7	679^th of 943 public elementary schools	28.0%	37	27.8	42.3	36.5				35.4	21.4	25.9	29.4				25.5	17.6		$15,860
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	319	22	14.3	60.5%	238 (74.6%)	1 (0.3%)	65 (20.4%)	4 (1.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.1%)	54.3	411^th of 950 public elementary schools	56.7%		50.9	440^th of 943 public elementary schools	53.3%	29	42.1	36.0	60.4				46.3	41.0	33.3	42.3				38.7	51.9		$16,850
Thunder Mountain Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3063 F1/2 Road	Grand Junction	81504	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-5870	432	27	16.2	54.4%	279 (64.6%)	5 (1.2%)	123 (28.5%)	9 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (3.5%)	27	643^rd of 950 public elementary schools	32.3%		18	768^th of 943 public elementary schools	18.6%	125	19.4	34.5	44.8				32.2	16.4	34.5	25.9				25.1	24.6		$15,156
Wildflower Montessori Public School of Colorado Grand Valley	Public, Charter	PK, KG-3	631 26 1/2 Road	Grand Junction	81506	Mesa County	State Charter School Institute	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(970) 314-7894	40	4	10.0	37.5%	33 (82.5%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (12.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.5%)	1 (2.5%)								(n/a)
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	370	19	19.0	47.3%	252 (68.1%)	2 (0.5%)	91 (24.6%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	21 (5.7%)	59.7	362^nd of 950 public elementary schools	61.9%		60.5	361^st of 943 public elementary schools	61.7%	1	47.5	52.8	62.3				54.8	40.0	34.0	50.9				41.8	38.5		$14,601
Pear Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	432 30 1/4 Road	Grand Junction	81504	Mesa County	Mesa County Valley School District No. 51	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 254-5960	428	29	15.0	70.8%	267 (62.4%)	1 (0.2%)	149 (34.8%)	2 (0.5%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	28.4	631^st of 950 public elementary schools	33.6%		22.9	698^th of 943 public elementary schools	26.0%	67	35.3	32.3	35.8				34.5	35.8	26.9	26.5				29.7	13.2		$15,654
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	364	25	14.6	76.4%	193 (53.0%)	4 (1.1%)	147 (40.4%)	2 (0.5%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.1%)	44.5	493^rd of 950 public elementary schools	48.1%		34.4	564^th of 943 public elementary schools	40.2%	71	29.1	46.0	55.1				44.4	24.1	37.5	38.6				34.0	34.8		$16,633
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	395	26	15.2	50.1%	240 (60.8%)	5 (1.3%)	123 (31.1%)	8 (2.0%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.3%)	66.9	306^th of 950 public elementary schools	67.8%		56.2	397^th of 943 public elementary schools	57.9%	91	44.4	54.4	63.2				53.7	43.8	49.1	49.1				47.2	52.6		$15,093

Frequently Asked Questions about Independence Academy

How many students attend Independence Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 491 students attended Independence Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Independence Academy?

Students at Independence Academy are 84% White, 12% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

Is Independence Academy a good school?

Independence Academy ranks 413^th of 950 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Independence Academy in?

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

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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.