Delta County Joint School District No 50J

Since consolidation in 1950, the school district has fostered and enjoyed strong cooperative relationships among administration, faculty (represented by the Coordinating Council), Board of Education, and community. In addition to a wide variety of liberal arts, fine arts, extracurricular, and athletic programs, Delta County School District has effective programs in agriculture, business vocations, technology, Special Education, vocal music and band, and sequential learning at the elementary level in math and reading. These programs are supported by continuing curriculum research and a dedicated staff of approximately 350 classroom and Special Education instructors, and approximately 350 support staff members.

Major Communities and their Schools

Delta - The county seat and economic center of the county, the city was founded in 1882 where railroad, highways, and rivers meet. Delta enjoys over 400 acres of prepared recreation area including 256-acre Confluence Park. Known as the City of Murals, Delta is happy to be the home of a state-of-the art recreational center, Ft. Uncompahgre Living History Museum, Sweitzer Lake State Recreation Area, public library, new hospital, medical and dental clinics, retail shopping and restaurants, and public golf course. Population for Delta and its surrounding area is approximately 12,000.

Enrollment (Fall 2022): Preschool (211 students), Garnet Mesa Elementary School (483 total students), Lincoln Elementary School (433 students), Delta Middle School (496 students), Delta High School (613 students), Delta Academy of Applied Learning (25 students), Grand Mesa Choice Academy (91 students), Technical College of the Rockies (300 full-time students, 2244 part-time students)

Cedaredge – Founded in 1894, Cedaredge, at 6,200 ft. elevation, is the southern gateway to Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world. The economic and cultural center for the Surface Creek Valley, the town and surrounding area has a population of approximately 8,100. Local amenities include public library, public golf course, Pioneer Town, medical and dental clinics, and easy access to outdoor recreation, including Powderhorn Ski Area.

Enrollment (Fall 2022): Cedaredge Elementary School (347 students), Cedaredge Middle School (187 students), Cedaredge High School (285 students)

Hotchkiss – Host of the annual Delta County Fair, Hotchkiss and its surrounding rural area has a population of approximately 3,400. Founded in 1882, Hotchkiss has a public library, medical and dental clinics, and is home to the Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery. Orchards, farming, and livestock form the main economic base.

Enrollment (Fall 2022): Hotchkiss K-8 School (325 students), North Fork High School (285 students)

Paonia – Founded in 1882, Paonia is the gateway to McClure and Kebler Passes, and the West Elk Mountains. Fruit orchards and coal production have made Paonia the largest town in the North Fork Valley of the Gunnison River. Paonia, including the surrounding area, has a population of approximately 3,700, at an altitude 5,675 ft. Public library, and medical and dental clinics are located in town. Paonia State Recreation Area and Paonia Reservoir offer opportunities for recreation and wildlife viewing.

Enrollment (Fall 2022): Paonia K-8 School (251 students), North Fork School of Integrated Studies (111 students), High school students are transported to North Fork High School in Hotchkiss.

Crawford – Easy access to the Gunnison National Forest, Crawford Reservoir State Recreation Area,Needle Rock, and Black Canyon National Monument, the deepest, narrowest canyon in North America, make Crawford an attractive recreational area. Population for the town and surrounding area is approximately 1,200.

Enrollment (Fall 2022): North Fork Montessori @ Crawford (119 students) High school students are transported to North Fork High School in Hotchkiss.

Economic Base

Agriculture, coal mining, timber, government services, construction, small manufacturing, and recreation.

Population

Approximately 30,000 concentrated primarily in five communities.

Recreation & Entertainment

Natural and prepared areas are easily accessible for outdoor recreation of many kinds in all seasons. Delta County is home to a vibrant community of artists, craftsmen, and musicians.

Medical Facilities

Delta Health, 24-hour ambulance service, many local physicians, and frequent visiting consulting physicians from Montrose, Grand Junction, and Denver provide services.