Celebrating Excellence at Caprock Academy
At Caprock Academy, we believe that true achievement is rooted in character, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to academic excellence. Our students, faculty, and community members work diligently to uphold these values, and we are proud to recognize their accomplishments.
This page honors the individuals and groups whose dedication reflects the heart of our mission. From academic honors and athletic achievements to community leadership and service, each recognition is a testament to the enduring pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness.
Please note that we began formally tracking awards and recognition in 2022. Information from earlier years will be added periodically as we continue to gather and archive historical achievements.
We invite you to explore the many ways our Caprock community continues to shine.
Awards & Recognition
2025-2026
Caprock Academy High School Awarded Among 2025-2026 Best High Schools in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report
Grand Junction, CO – August 26, 2025 – Caprock Academy is proud to announce its recognition as one of the 2025-2026 Best High Schools in Colorado, according to the prestigious rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. This marks the sixth year Caprock Academy High School has earned this honor, with previous acknowledgments received in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024.
- Caprock Academy Press Release dated 8-26-25
- Caprock Academy 2025-2026 Rankings by US News & World Report
- Western Slope Now news article dated 8-26-25
- KJCT News 8 Story dated 8-27-25
- 99.9 KEKB News Story dated 9-3-25
- Newsbreak KUBC The Canyon News Story dated 9-3-25
Caprock Academy Receives Highest State Rating on CDE Framework
Grand Junction, CO – September 16, 2025 – Caprock Academy has once again been designated a Performance Plan school, the highest rating awarded by the Colorado Department of Education through its annual District and School Performance Framework. The school continues to outperform District 51 in Elementary and Middle School English Language Arts achievement, PSAT/SAT scores, and Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness, with more than 70% of graduates pursuing a four-year college degree.
- Caprock Academy Press Release dated 9-16-25
- CDE District and School Performance Framework Results
- KJCT News 8 Story dated 9-16-25
- Western Slope Now news article dated 9-17-2025
Caprock Academy Welcomes CMU Football and Cheer for Character Education Assemblies
Grand Junction, CO – September 17, 2025 – Caprock Academy partnered with Colorado Mesa University (CMU) to host members of the Mavericks football program and CMU Cheer for a series of character-focused assemblies on Monday, September 22. University student-athletes led engaging activities and shared messages about diligence, teamwork, and wise responses to peer pressure—virtues at the heart of Caprock Academy’s mission of character, accountability, and rigorous academics.
This growing partnership connects Caprock students with outstanding role models who exemplify perseverance, respect, and service to others, reinforcing Caprock Academy’s commitment to shaping principled citizens through classical education.
Caprock Academy Hosts 10th Annual Pink Out Volleyball Game to Support Breast Cancer Research
Grand Junction, CO – October 13, 2025 – Caprock Academy’s High School Volleyball Team is proud to host its 10th Annual Pink Out Game on Tuesday, October 14th at 5:30 p.m., benefiting the Side-Out Foundation and its metastatic breast cancer research initiatives. This beloved tradition unites students, families, and the broader community in meaningful support of those impacted by breast cancer.
- Caprock Academy Press Release dated 10-13-25
- Western Slope Now News Story dated 10-14-25
- KREX Live Interview with Athletics Director Dylan Albert dated 10-14-25
Caprock Academy to Host 2A Region 5 Cross Country Championships
Grand Junction, CO – October 22, 2025 – Caprock Academy is proud to host the 2A Region 5 Cross Country Championships at Confluence Park in Delta on Thursday, October 23. The girls’ race will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by the boys’ race at 1:00 p.m. Led by captains Grace Grossman and Korbin Church, the Eagles are poised for strong performances as they continue their record of success and advancement to the State Championship meet. Caprock Academy’s cross country program, established in 2017, has produced competitive teams each year—earning State qualifications, national appearances, and regional recognition.
Caprock Academy Earns Top Local, State, and National Rankings in 2026 Niche Report
Grand Junction, CO – October 30, 2025 – For the third consecutive year, Caprock Academy has been recognized among the Best Schools in America by Niche, the nation’s leading school and college ranking platform. Niche has ranked Caprock Academy as the #2 Public Elementary School and the #1 Middle and High School in Mesa County, placing its High School in the top 27% nationwide.
This achievement highlights Caprock Academy’s ongoing commitment to excellence in classical education, character development, and academic achievement. The school’s continued success reflects the dedication of its students, faculty, and families in providing a time-tested, rigorous education that prepares students to become critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible citizens.
2024-2025
Caprock Academy Ranked Among Top 25% of Colorado Public Schools for Academics: Earns “Performance with Distinction” for Third Consecutive Year
Caprock Academy is one of only thirteen CSI schools to earn a “Performance with Distinction” rating based on 2023-2024 performance. CSI—which authorizes Caprock Academy assigns a rating and accredits its schools each fall based on its school performance framework, which considers a school’s academic, financial, and organizational data from the previous school year.
Click here to read CSI's press release dated 12/17/24.
Click here to read the complete article dated 1/8/25.
Athletes of the Week: Caprock Academy Hockey
The Caprock Academy Ice Hockey program is once again making history. After building the first ever Grand Valley Hockey Program from the ground up last year, the Caprock Eagles are now making the jump up to the varsity level, taking on some of the premiere power programs for Hockey in all of Colorado.
Click here to read the complete article dated 12/11/24
Caprock Eagles set for historic first varsity game at new-look River City Sportplex
For the first time ever, varsity high school hockey will be played in the Grand Valley as the Caprock Academy Eagles take on the Pueblo County Hornets at 5:30 pm.
Click here to read the complete article dated 12/11/24
Caprock Academy earns GreatSchools’ 2024 College Success Award
Caprock Academy is among 1,436 high schools from 19 states that have demonstrated a successful track record of graduating students who enroll in two- or four-year college, are ready for college-level coursework, and persist in their second year.
Click here to read the Press Release dated 11/15/2024.
Caprock Academy is recognized as having Mesa County's top schools in Niche annual rankings for 2025
Caprock Academy has earned the title of Best Public Elementary, Middle, and High School in Mesa County in the 2025 Niche rankings. Additionally, Caprock Academy ranks within the top 25% of charter high schools across the nation.
Click here for a list of Caprock Academy's Niche Rankings.
Click here to read the Press Release dated 11/6/24
2023-2024
Caprock Academy High School Awarded Among 2024 Best High Schools in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report
Grand Junction, CO – May 10, 2024 – Caprock Academy is proud to announce its recognition as one of the 2024 Best High Schools in Colorado, according to the prestigious rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. This marks the fifth year Caprock Academy High School has earned this honor, with previous acknowledgments received in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2023.
Click here to read the complete article dated 5/10/24.
Click here to read the Press Release dated 5/9/24.
Caprock Academy Senior, Mercedes Garcia, Selected as 2024 Daniels Scholar 3/27/24
Caprock Academy proudly announces Mercedes Garcia as one of the esteemed recipients of the 2024 Daniels Scholarship Program. Mercedes is among 209 high school seniors from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming selected for this prestigious honor, with 144 scholars hailing from Colorado. Notably, Mercedes is among the 3 scholars from Mesa County to receive this esteemed honor.
Click here to read the complete article dated 3/26/24.
Click here to read the Press Release dated 3/27/24.
2023 Caprock Academy among top 25 percent of all public schools in Colorado for academics School earns a “Performance with Distinction” rating for the second year in a row
Caprock Academy is one of only eleven CSI schools to earn a “Performance with Distinction” rating based on 2021-22 performance. CSI—which authorizes Caprock Academy assigns a rating and accredits its schools each fall based on its school performance framework, which considers a school’s academic, financial, and organizational data from the previous school year.
Click here to read CSI's press release dated 12/11/23.
Athlete of the Week: Caprock Academy Ice Hockey Goalie 12/13/23
The Caprock Academy Eagles Hockey Team made history, winning the first ever High School Hockey game in the Grand Valley, taking down the Fort Collins Lambkins, 1-0. A big part of the historic win and shutting out the Lambkins was the efforts of their Goalkeeper, Marcus Meeks.
Click here to read the complete article dated 12/13/2023.
Athletes of the Week: Caprock Academy Girl's Cross Country 12/6/23
The Caprock Academy Eagles Girls Cross Country just wrapped up their season that saw them go across the country competing on the national level.
Click here to read the complete article dated 12/6/2023.
Caprock Academy awarded Silver AP School Honor Roll Award 11/9/23
Caprock Academy has earned a place on the AP School Honor Roll for the 2022-2023 school year! The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success.
Click here to read the Press Release dated 11/9/2023.
Click here to read more about the College Board AP School Honor Roll Award program and qualifying criteria.
Click here to view the 2023 AP School Honor Roll Recognition.
Caprock recognized as Mesa County's top school in Niche annual rankings 9/27/23
Caprock Academy has been recognized as a 2024 Best School by Niche, ranking as the No. 1 public elementary school and No. 1 best public high school in Mesa County in the process.
Click here to read the full announcement from the Daily Sentinel.
Click here for a list of Caprock Academy's Niche Rankings.
Caprock Academy boys soccer and stud Polson breaking new ground 9/12/23
It’s the midway point of the boys’ soccer season, and Caprock Academy, the small school from Grand Junction, is already narrowing in on a program record for wins in a season. The state’s runaway leader in points, Zayne Polson, is a big reason why.
Click here to read the full announcement from Colorado Preps.
Caprock Academy to Bring High School Ice Hockey to the Grand Valley 6/13/2023
High school hockey players all over the Grand Valley, no matter which school they attend, will soon have a program to aspire to. On June 13, the Caprock Academy Board of Directors unanimously approved the addition of Ice Hockey to the roster of interscholastic sport offerings in Grand Junction.
Click here to listen to Dan Salazar's interview with The Team 1340 AM.
Click here to read the article from The Daily Sentinel.
Click here to read the Press Release dated 6/13/23.
2022-2023
Three Caprock students qualify for National History Day nationals, with teacher recognized
A trio of Caprock Academy students will get the chance to show off their knowledge of history in a national competition this summer — and their teacher will be recognized at the event.
Click here to read the full announcement from the Daily Sentinel dated 5/11/23.
Students prep for State History Day Competition
Caprock Academy alone is sending more than 20 kids to compete in the state competition in Denver on April 29th.
Click here for the article from KREX dated 4/24/23
2022 Caprock Academy among top 25 percent of all public schools in Colorado for academics School earns a “Performance with Distinction” rating
Caprock Academy is one of only eleven CSI schools to earn a “Performance with Distinction” rating based on 2021-22 performance. CSI—which authorizes Caprock Academy assigns a rating and accredits its schools each fall based on its school performance framework, which considers a school’s academic, financial, and organizational data from the previous school year.
Click here to read the Press Release dated 12/2022.
Caprock Academy earns GreatSchools’ 2022 College Success Award
Caprock Academy is among 1,742 high schools from 25 states that have demonstrated a successful track record of graduating students who enroll in two- or four-year college, are ready for college-level coursework, and persist on to their second year.
Click here to read the Press Release dated 10/3/2022.