The city of Cortez is generally recognized as an archeological center of the U.S., with over 25,000 artifact sites documented in Montezuma County. The Montezuma-Cortez school district encompasses the Ute Mountain and Mesa Verde National Park, with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe as part of the greater community served by district schools. In addition, the Navajo Nation borders the western school district boundaries.

According to Superintendent Stacy Houser, the Montezuma-Cortez school district is "where the desert meets the mountains...a community rooted in family, tribe, and tradition."

Each year the district's Parent Committee hosts the SUN conference (Spanish, Ute, Navajo) Conference. This conference encompasses the diverse cultural heritage of the students in the district including Ute Mountain Ute, Southern Ute, Navajo, Northern Ute, Hispanic, and Anglo.

Manaugh Elementary serves grades K-5, with an optional Montessori program housed on the school's campus.

This year's BOEP teachers include Deb Gardner and Laurie Austin in the 5th grade, and Dani Blaisdell, a special services "floating" instructor. Deb has worked to integrate BOEP curriculum into Manaugh's Open Court reading program, and all 3 BOEP teachers are working on a BOEP afterschool program that is working to create a field guide to local Cortez plants and animals. They are also planning an end of the teambuilding extended trip to Arches National Park.