- Ridgway Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 149 students
- Ridgway High School — Grades 9–12 · 97 students
- Ridgway Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 74 students
- Rodger Quist Middle Montrose — Grades 6–8 · 855 students
- Otho E Stuart Middle Montrose — Grades 6–8 · 794 students
- Prairie View Middle Montrose — Grades 6–8 · 679 students
- Overland Trail Middle Montrose — Grades 6–8 · 581 students
- Vikan Middle Montrose — Grades 6–8 · 528 students
- Prairie View High Montrose — Grades 9–12 · 1,809 students
- Riverdale Ridge High Montrose — Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students
- Brighton High Montrose — Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students
- Eagle Ridge Academy — Grades 9–12 · 593 students
- The STEAD Montrose — Grades 9–12 · 421 students
- Colorado Connections @ 27J — Grades K–12 · 2,042 students
- Bromley East Charter Montrose — Grades PK–8 · 1,214 students
- Foundations Academy — Grades K–8 · 763 students
- Landmark Academy at Reunion — Grades K–8 · 758 students
- Discovery Magnet Montrose — Grades K–8 · 692 students
- Belle Creek Charter Montrose — Grades K–8 · 519 students
- Northeast Elementary Montrose — Grades PK–6 · 470 students
- 27J Online Academy — Grades 6–12 · 336 students
- Innovations & Options — Grades 6–12 · 235 students
- Prairie Vista Youth Services Center — Grades 4–12 · 32 students
| Metric | Ridgway Montrose District R-2 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 332 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgway School District R-2 (this district) | NR | — | 332 |
| School District 27J | 4/10 | 39th | 22,713 |
| School District 49 | 8/10 | 71st | 24,517 |
About Ridgway School District R-2
Ridgway School District R-2 serves zip code 81403, covering Montrose, Colorado with grades K–12. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in Colorado spend approximately $11,000 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), below the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Ridgway School District R-2 is a small, community-focused district with 3 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 332 students in total. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
With a rating of 10/10 (excellent), Ridgway School District R-2 ranks among Colorado’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Colorado’s CMAS assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Colorado is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Ridgway School District R-2 ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Colorado on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 81403 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 81403
Children in zip code 81403 are assigned to Ridgway School District R-2 for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 81403, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Ridgway School District R-2 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Colorado districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Montrose
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Ridgway School District R-2 serves zip code 81403, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 81403. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Colorado, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Ridgway School District R-2 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 81403.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Ridgway School District R-2 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 81403 data.