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Our Guide to Schools in Denver

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DENVER SCHOOLS

Article by City Lifestyle

Photography by City Lifestyle

When it comes to finding good school choices in the country, Denver schools rank high in achievement among state standards and national standards.

The classes are diverse and challenging, and the student population comes from all economic backgrounds to provide a truly enriching experience for those who attend school in the city. Schools are abundant in this area ranging from public schools to secular privates schools and more.

Those who wish to receive a top education in the nation will be pleased with the selection of schools found in the area.

To learn more about school requirements, tuition, and even scholarships, contact the school's admission office or district office, and they can provide all parents and guardians need to know to make a decision. 

The Mile-High City’s Public schools

Denver area public schools are home to over 90,00 students in all and have over 200 schools located throughout the city. This area is home to one of the larger school districts in the country.

It has a steadily rising population due to an influx of residents moving to the area and the rapidly rising economy. There are many reasons why individuals in the area choose to send their children to Denver public schools; the most noteworthy is the high test scores and consistent achievements. 

School Districts

There are a total of approximately 20 different school districts in the Denver, CO, area and are ranked high for achievement and benchmark scores across all grade levels and individuals schools. There are over 90,000 students in the district, making it one of the largest in the country.

The Boulder Valley School District is currently the highest-rated, but the other districts are not far behind. This area offers excellent opportunities for students enrolled in Denver district schools throughout the area. 

High Schools in Denver, CO

U.S. News Report states that high schools are considered the top in the country and provide students with a challenging and rewarding education.

This designation allows the schools to receive additional funding and attracts students from all over the country seeking a top-notch education. However, this increases the student population across the board and makes for a higher than average student/teach ratio. 

Denver School of the Arts was currently ranked as the number one public school in the Denver area, but the private and secular schools are very close in performance, and some even exceed those standards and scores.

Founded in 1867, Denver East High School is one of the oldest schools in the area and is ranked as number 600 in the nation, making it a top highs school overall. It is one of the four original high schools for the area and has an approximate student/ teacher ratio of about 20:1.

South High School is in the Washington Park area of Denver and has over 1,600 students in attendance. This is one of the few schools in the local area with a below-average performance and has an average performance score for the last few years.

This location is a mix of predominantly Hispanic and Caucasian students and has an over 50% poverty rate among student households. 

Another high school, North High School, has been In operation since 1883.

There are over 1,200 students enrolled. This school has consistently performed above average and has higher than average testing scores across the board.

Middle Schools: Top Education for Youth

There are a wide variety of middle schools, which range from secular to public schools. There are hundreds of middle schools in the area that provide a great education for residents who want their children to attend public schools.

There are also plenty of faith-based options as well as private schools that are all high-performing. 

Hamilton Middle School provides an education for students who are attending grades 6-8. Over 800 students are enrolled at this location, making it one of the larger in the area.

The majority of the student population at this school comes from economically disadvantaged homes. Lake Middle School provides an education for Denver's urban areas and has a population of over 300 students.

This location has classes for grades 6-8 and has about a 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The total minority population at this school is over 90%, and approximately 95% of the students are from low-income families.

Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences is considered a Denver public school and is in a city setting. This school houses grades 6-8 and has an approximate teacher-student ratio of 18:1.  

Elementary Schools

The elementary schools are some of the highest performing in the country, generally speaking. Although there can be fluctuations from one school to another, they all can provide a solid education to the students located in their area.

There are over 90 elementary schools in the area. Some of the Denver schools of interest include the following locations. 

John Amesse Elementary School has been increasing their test scores and student progress over the last few years; however, the school is still considered to perform below average by state standards. This small school is over half Hispanic, and the vast majority of the households represented at the school are economically disadvantaged.

Doull Elementary School has over 400 students enrolled and has an approximate 14:1 student/teacher ratio. This location performs under or below average and has under 20% proficiency for reading and math.

Despite the lower test scores and performance, residents can still provide their children with an average education by national standards when enrolled in this particular school. 

Specialized Private Schools

There is a wide range of Private schools in the Denver area. Colorado Academy and Dawson School are among the top-performing in the area. Due to demand, these locations fill up quickly and have rigorous enrollment requirements. Some may have financial assistance, which can be applied for through the admissions office.

One particular private school of interest in the area is Colorado Academy. It is currently considered one of the highest performing, if not the highest performing schools in Denver's city.

This location offers a challenging education and has many benefits and programs that make it one of the most sought-after locations in the area. 

Christian Schools for Faith-Based Education

Christian schools are among some of the best in the nation. Due to the influx of residents and the booming economy, this area is popular for enrollment, even in Christian schools, which tend to be private and have strict admissions and academic expectations.

Many in the area are not focused on specific religious studies but rather incorporate Christian ideals and beliefs into their daily studies. 

Denver’s Charter Schools

Charter schools tend to be some of the highest performing locations in the city. These schools are run via government funding rather than state funding, which allows them to operate with different governing requirements and standardized requirements than state schools.

Many families can secure a top-notch education within these Denver schools and are great options for those who want a challenging and diverse environment to attain an education. 

Boarding Schools

Boarding schools here tend to perform very high academically and provide a quality education for students who live on campus. There is a mix of coed and gender-specific choices in the area.

There are over 80 boarding schools in Denver, seven about 15,000 students. There is a high demand for spots in these schools, and there can be rigorous requirements to secure a place. 

Studying through the Year: Summer Schools

There is a wide range of options for summer schools or summer programs in the Denver area. Although some summer school options are meant to help reinforce or meet the educational requirement for graduation, some allow students to attain extra credit, get more experience in a field of interest, or provide guidance according to scheduling requirements.

Most academic enrichment programs are tuition-based, but public summer school is usually free and meant to help students catch up on academic scores or reinforce weak learning areas. There is a wide range of options in the area and serves ages K-12. 

Denver schools are among the best in the country and are considered a top choice for parents and students who want to receive a great education with plenty of options, opportunities, and academic challenges.

To find out which schools are in your area, or if your student and family meet the requirements for attendance or enrollment, reach out to the attendance center, admissions, or the school counselor, and they can provide additional details and support to help make the process easier.