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Education
Colorado Mesa University
The Montrose regional campus of Colorado Mesa University (CMU) provides access to postsecondary education to the four counties in its service region (i.e., Montrose, Delta, Ouray, and San Miguel). CMU Montrose works actively with local school districts to deliver college-access programs intended to transition high school students into college. Through CMU Montrose students can:
- Enroll in a certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree program
- Complete general education courses required to transfer to any public college in Colorado
- Start taking college classes while in high school
- Boost job skills or explore a new interest with adult continuing education
Centrally located in Historic Downtown Montrose, the campus of CMU Montrose includes state-of-the-art classrooms, instructional labs, and computer facilities. Classes are offered year round and many classes are held in the evenings to meet the needs of working students. Programs of study include business, early childhood education, elementary education, humanities, medical office assistant, nursing, social sciences, sports management and more. In addition, students can complete their general education requirements at CMU Montrose and seamlessly transfer into one of the fifty bachelor degree programs available at CMU Grand Junction. Financial aid is available including locally funded scholarships for residents of Montrose County. Residents over the age of 60 can participate in the Golden Scholars program and enroll in classes at a discounted rate of $25 per credit hour.
CMU is available to provide education and training opportunities for your company. For more information, call 970-249-7009 or visit www.coloradomesa.edu/montrose.
Technical College of the Rockies
The Technical College of the Rockies mission is to be where careers begin by setting the standards for education and training to enhance career competencies, employability, and the well-being of our students and community. Technical College of the Rockies takes a three-pronged approach to accomplish this mission.
First is providing career and technical certificate programs and courses for adults in automotive, barbering and cosmetology occupations, business, criminal justice, early childhood education, emergency medical services, nursing, massage therapy, and technical drafting. All of the Technical College of the Rockies programs and courses are available at the campus located between Montrose and Delta, and many courses are also available in hybrid or online format. Beginning in the summer of 2017, selected courses will also be offered in Montrose.
Second, the Technical College of the Rockies offers high school courses in automotive, hairstyling, and technical drafting. Concurrent enrollment options are also available so high school students can earn high school and college credits in healthcare, business, and early childhood education.
The third prong is non-credit, community education and extended studies courses for personal enrichment, job enhancement, and continuing education. Courses are offered in a variety of formats and are often evening or weekend courses.

RE-1J School District
The Montrose County School District RE-1J provides quality instruction to 6,087 students in seven elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools and one alternative school. They have highly-qualified professional staff. Over 50% of our licensed employees hold an advanced degree.
The Montrose County School District is on the cutting edge of educational innovation and the leader in public education in Western Colorado! The District has just completed the acquisition of over 1,000 additional IPads completing the vision of having one-to-one devices for all students in grades 6–12, while providing for the critical next step of becoming a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) School District. All secondary teachers, and the elementary teachers at Northside and Olathe schools are teaching students new skills with Problem Based Learning, STEM. The District is progressing to become Colorado’s first STEM School District!
The Montrose community recently passed Referendum 3A in support of the School District. The funds generated from this ballot initiative combined with the $12.4M BEST grant will allow for the construction of a new Columbine Middle School. The new Columbine Middle School project should begin late in May 2017 and be ready for the 2018-19 school year.
Montrose County School District offers a wide variety of learning styles for the students. Peak Academy offers a blended innovative learning program that provides an on-line curriculum blended with classroom support from a teacher that assists the student and parent to ensure student success. Peak Academy allows students to be placed in a scholastically personalized program while providing academically rigorous curriculum for Kindergarten through 12th grade students.
For more information, please visit the Colorado Department of Education website.
WorkKeys
Montrose is on the leading edge of workforce development with the WorkKeys Program, a professionally endorsed job skills assessment program that helps test workers and match them to jobs. This is a great tool that employers can use to limit trial and error in the hiring process. WorkKeys offer flexible, cost-effective skills assessment in the following areas:
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Technology
- Listening
- Locating Information
- Observation
- Reading for Information
- Teamwork
- Writing
Local employers can also work with the area schools in a "School to Career" program that helps students develop their skills in a real work environment.
Other Schools
The following schools offer a variety of education experiences such as charter and private schools.
Vista Charter High School
Vista Charter High School is a successful educational opportunity for students who seen an alternative means to earn a high school diploma. Vista Charter High School offers classes for grades 9-12.
Spring Creek Adventists School
A school for kindergarten through eighth grade with a focus on quality Christian education. The School offers only full-day kindergarten classes.
14488 - 61.75 Road
Montrose, CO 81401
Ph: 970-249-5500
Colorado West Christian School
A school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
2705 Sunnyside Road
Montrose, CO 81401
Ph: 970-249-1094