- Plateau Valley Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 142 students
- Plateau Valley High School — Grades 9–12 · 65 students
- Grand Mesa High School — Grades 9–12 · 55 students
- Plateau Valley Junior High School — Grades 7–8 · 41 students
- Rodger Quist Middle Molina — Grades 6–8 · 855 students
- Otho E Stuart Middle Molina — Grades 6–8 · 794 students
- Prairie View Middle Molina — Grades 6–8 · 679 students
- Overland Trail Middle Molina — Grades 6–8 · 581 students
- Vikan Middle Molina — Grades 6–8 · 528 students
- Prairie View High Molina — Grades 9–12 · 1,809 students
- Riverdale Ridge High Molina — Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students
- Brighton High Molina — Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students
- Eagle Ridge Academy — Grades 9–12 · 593 students
- The STEAD Molina — Grades 9–12 · 421 students
- Colorado Connections @ 27J — Grades K–12 · 2,042 students
- Bromley East Charter Molina — Grades PK–8 · 1,214 students
- Foundations Academy — Grades K–8 · 763 students
- Landmark Academy at Reunion — Grades K–8 · 758 students
- Discovery Magnet Molina — Grades K–8 · 692 students
- Belle Creek Charter Molina — Grades K–8 · 519 students
- Northeast Elementary Molina — 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 | Plateau Valley Molina District 50 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 29 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 4/10 — Below Average | — | Near average |
About Plateau Valley School District 50
Families in zip code 81646 (Molina, Colorado) are assigned to Plateau Valley School District 50 for public education through 12. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Plateau Valley School District 50 runs approximately $11,000 annually, placing it near the Colorado state average of approximately $11,000 and below the national average nationally (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
Plateau Valley School District 50 is a mid-sized district with 4 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 314 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 4/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Plateau Valley School District 50 4 out of 10 — below average among Colorado public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. 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.
Plateau Valley School District 50 carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Colorado benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 81646
Children in zip code 81646 are assigned to Plateau Valley School District 50 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 81646, 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 Plateau Valley School District 50 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 Molina
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Plateau Valley School District 50 serves zip code 81646, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 81646. 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 Plateau Valley School District 50 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 81646.
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 Plateau Valley School District 50 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 81646 data.