Montrose County School District

What Montrose County School District does

Montrose County School District RE-1J (MCSD) is a public K-12 school district and political subdivision of the State of Colorado, serving approximately 5,800 students across 16 schools and programs in Montrose, Olathe, and surrounding areas on Colorado's Western Slope. The district operates seven elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, and alternative education programs including Peak Academy (K-12, Online, Homeschool, and Alt Grad Pathway), Outer Range Outdoor School, and Black Canyon High School. MCSD is governed by a seven-member elected Board of Education and led by Superintendent Dr. Carrie Stephenson, with nearly 780 full-time staff making it the largest employer in Montrose County.

The district's core academic offering centers on a Career Pathways program with 16 industry-aligned pathways and 24 industry certifications, complemented by 130+ AP and concurrent enrollment courses enabling students to earn college credit in high school. Underlying technology is entirely off-the-shelf administrative infrastructure: Infinite Campus serves as the Student Information System for registration, grade tracking, and parent portal access; Finalsite powers the public website; TalkingPoints enables two-way family communication; Microsoft Outlook provides email; BoardDocs hosts governance documents; and Pearson and College Board deliver state assessments. Specialized student services include Safety and Wellness Teams, Engagement Centers using Edgenuity for credit recovery, Special Education, Gifted and Talented programs, and free universal meals for all students through a Sodexo partnership. Student transportation is outsourced to Student Transportation of America.

MCSD's business model is non-commercial and publicly funded. FY2025 total revenues of $93.16 million derive from state per-pupil funding under the Colorado School Finance Act ($50.66M, ~54%), local property tax mill levy ($31.58M, ~34%), federal grants and categorical programs including Title and IDEA ($10.63M, ~11%), and inter-fund transfers ($4.08M). Total FY2025 expenditures of $96.85M support instruction, operations, facilities, transportation, and capital projects. The district holds a $19.65M general fund balance and is currently executing an approximately $12.6M Early Childhood Center renovation funded jointly by a $6.19M BEST state grant and a $6.45M district match. There is no fee-for-service revenue, no tuition, and no commercial pricing model; customer acquisition is geographic boundary assignment supplemented by open enrollment cycles and school choice options.

Name

Montrose County School District

Legal name

Montrose County School District RE-1J

Website

https://mcsd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (61171), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

District Student Services Administration (Special Ed, Counseling, Health) (EDADABAJ), Public Special Education Schools & Programs (EDAJAAAH), Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• School district services
• Career pathways programs
• Special education services
• Student nutrition programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Montrose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. State Per-Pupil Funding: Primary funding from Colorado School Finance Act - per-pupil allocation based on student enrollment
2. Local Property Tax Revenue: Local mill levy revenue contributing to district operations - $31,577,981 in FY2025
3. State Education Funding: State equalization and categorical funding - $50,658,766 in FY2025
4. Federal Grants and Programs: Federal funding including Title programs, special education, and nutrition programs - $10,628,971 in FY2025
5. BEST Grant (Capital): Building Excellent Schools Today grant for facility construction - $6,192,542.48 awarded for Early Childhood Center renovation
6. Nutrition Services (Sodexo Partnership): All students receive free meals; district receives federal reimbursement through Sodexo partnership

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Montrose County School District RE-1J operates a network of 16 public K-12 schools and programs serving approximately 5,800 students in Montrose, Olathe, and surrounding areas on Colorado's Western Slope. Core offerings include elementary, middle, and high school education, alternative programs (Peak Academy, Outer Range Outdoor School, Black Canyon High School), career pathways (16 pathways with 24 industry certifications), concurrent enrollment (130+ AP/college-credit courses), special education, gifted and talented education, free universal meals, student transportation, and family engagement services.

Product overview

Montrose County School District RE-1J is a rural public school district serving approximately 5,800 students across 16 schools and programs in Montrose, Olathe, and nearby areas on Colorado's Western Slope. The district operates as a unified educational platform comprising primary schools (7 elementary schools including Early Childhood Centers), secondary schools (2 middle schools, 2 high schools), and alternative programs including Peak Academy (offering K-12, Online, Homeschool, and Alt Grad Pathway options), Outer Range Outdoor School, and Black Canyon High School. The district supplements core education with administrative platforms including Infinite Campus parent/student portals, Talking Points communication platform, Career Pathways program (16 pathways with 24 industry certifications), concurrent enrollment (130+ AP and concurrent courses), Safety and Wellness Teams, Special Education Services, Engagement Centers for intervention, and nutrition services through Sodexo partnership. The district is governed by a 7-member Board of Education and led by Superintendent Dr. Carrie Stephenson.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MCSD Schools Network Network of 16 public schools and programs serving approximately 5,800 students across Montrose, Olathe, and nearby areas. Includes 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 high schools, and alternative programs.
• Peak Academy Alternative education program offering K-12, Online, Homeschool, and Alt Grad Pathway delivery methods for students needing alternative educational settings.
• Outer Range Outdoor School Outdoor-focused educational program located at 2900 Colorado Ave providing experiential learning opportunities for students.
• Black Canyon High School Alternative high school option at 26 South 5th Street for students seeking alternative educational approaches.
• Career Pathways Program Program offering 16 career pathways including Health Science, Public Safety, Media, Education, Outdoor Industry, Agriculture, and Engineering, with 24 industry certifications available.
• Concurrent Enrollment Courses College credit programs offering over 130 AP and concurrent enrollment courses allowing students to earn college credit while in high school.
• Nutrition Services Free meals program provided through Sodexo partnership, offering one free breakfast and one free lunch daily to all MCSD students regardless of income, supported by federal reimbursement.
• Student Transportation Services Student bus transportation provided through Student Transportation of America (STA) contractor serving all MCSD schools.
• Special Education Services Specialized services and support for students with diverse learning needs, including Child Find, Autism Spectrum Disorder support, and Developmental Communication Classroom.
• Safety and Wellness Teams Multidisciplinary support teams including social workers, behavior coaches, nurses, counselors, and administrators providing student support services district-wide.
• Gifted & Talented Education Specialized educational programming for gifted and talented students across the district.

Quantifiable outcome

• Montrose High School Advanced Jazz Ensemble selected to perform at 2026 CMEA State Conference - only 2 ensembles selected statewide
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Denver Air ConnectionminorOthers · 1 January 2025Chartered private flight for Montrose High School volleyball team to state tournament at no cost. Team parent Amy Warthen coordinated with CEO; Community and Engagement Director Tonya Ruhsenberger facilitated the partnership.
• SodexocoreOthersSodexo provides nutrition services for MCSD, managing meal preparation and service across all schools. All students receive free meals through this partnership. Sodexo General Manager is Preston Weaver.
• Student Transportation of America (STA)coreOthersSTA provides student transportation services for all MCSD schools. Contact: Vernon Bartz (Terminal Manager), Ron Loven (Dispatcher). Phone: 970-249-0919.
• Homegrown PathwaysflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado nonprofit running Spark Lab entrepreneurship program at MCSD schools. Students develop business ideas and pitch to local leaders for seed funding. MCSD partnership enables career-connected learning opportunities.
• Western Slope Career Collaborative (WSSCC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional initiative including Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, and Ridgway School Districts focused on high-demand career pathways (healthcare, construction trades, outdoor industry, tourism). MCSD Superintendent Dr. Stephenson serves as WSSCC Board President.
• TEACH ColoradominorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree tools and resources for teacher recruitment including eligibility guidance, application support, $100 fee reimbursement for testing expenses, and alternative licensure pathway information.
• AXIS Health SystemminorOthersMental health services partner referenced in employment opportunities section for MCSD.
• Northside Child Health CentercoreOthersLocated at 528 N. Uncompahgre Ave., provides health services, dental hygiene, mental health services, and immunizations for enrolled students. Call 970-240-6438 for information.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Douglas County School District: Large Colorado public K-12 district where Superintendent Dr. Carrie Stephenson previously served as assistant principal, principal, and executive director. Comparable in service model and curriculum pathways, though substantially larger and better resourced; useful reference for executive leadership benchmarking.
• Academy School District 20: Large Colorado public K-12 district in the Pikes Peak region. Comparable as a Colorado public school district operating under the same state funding framework, with comparable career pathways, concurrent enrollment, and AP offerings.
• Mesa County Valley School District 51: Larger neighboring public K-12 district on Colorado's Western Slope serving Grand Junction and surrounding areas. Comparable K-12 public district in the same region, but materially larger scale, providing a benchmark for district operations, funding, and program breadth.
• Denver Public Schools: Largest Colorado public K-12 district. Operates under the same Colorado School Finance Act and is a benchmark for scale programs (CareerConnect, concurrent enrollment, free meals, mental health supports) that are also foundational to MCSD's model.
• Cherry Creek School District: Major Colorado public K-12 district in the Denver metro area. Comparable as a public school district using the Colorado School Finance Act; offers similar concurrent enrollment, career pathways, and student support services at significantly larger scale.
• Littleton Public Schools: Colorado public K-12 district where Superintendent Dr. Stephenson previously taught. Comparable as a Colorado public school district using state per-pupil funding; useful as a benchmark for operational practices even though student demographics and scale differ.

Direct peers

• Ridgway School District R-2: Small public K-12 district on the Western Slope and the fourth WSSCC partner. Comparable in scale and rural profile to Montrose County School District and subject to similar Colorado School Finance Act funding dynamics.
• Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J: Public K-12 district in Gunnison County, also a Western Slope Career Collaborative partner. Directly comparable as a small, geographically isolated Colorado public district with similar rural funding constraints and college/career-readiness programming.
• Delta County Joint School District: Public K-12 district in Delta, Colorado, co-member with MCSD in the Western Slope Career Collaborative. Comparable rural Colorado public school district serving a similar demographic and economic base, with overlapping career-pathway and rural-district funding dynamics.

Regional players

• Shawnee Mission School District: Large Kansas public K-12 district where Superintendent Dr. Stephenson began her teaching career. Comparable as a public K-12 district serving suburban communities with traditional funding models, though in a different state funding regime.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mcsd_re1j
• Facebookfacebook.com/montrosecountyschooldistrict
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/montrose-county-school-district
• Xx.com/MCSDRE1J

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montrose County School District