Best High Schools
in Denver, Colorado
We ranked the 59 high schools in Denver with real test data. The top 25 scored between 7.0 and 9.3 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Colorado education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Denver for 2026 are Dsst: Conservatory Green High School (9.3/10), Dsst: Cedar High School (9.0/10), and Dsst: College View High School (8.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 59 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Denver?
Every high school in Denver is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Dsst: Conservatory Green High School
Denver, CO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Dsst: Cedar High School
Denver, CO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Dsst: College View High School
Denver, CO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Denver's ranked high school landscape covers 53 schools, with performance ranging from a metro average of 6.6/10 to a peak of 9.6/10 at DSST: Conservatory Green High School — the top performer in this list. That gap signals real variation in outcomes, so where a school lands in the table matters. DSST: College View High School and George Washington High School follow closely behind, while Contemporary Learning Academy and South High School round out the top five. Nearly half the field clears the 7/10 threshold, with 26 schools hitting that mark or above — a sign that strong options are spread across the metro, not concentrated in one neighborhood or district. Use the table below to sort by score, school type, or other factors that fit your family's priorities. The data does the heavy lifting; this page just puts it in context.
Dsst: Conservatory Green High School
Dsst: Cedar High School
Dsst: College View High School
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Denver's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Colorado so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 59 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dsst: Conservatory Green High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9.3 |
| 2 | Dsst: Cedar High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9.0 |
| 3 | Dsst: College View High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.9 |
| 4 | Denver School of the Arts School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.8 |
| 5 | Dsst: Green Valley Ranch High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.8 |
| 6 | Dsst: Montview High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.6 |
| 7 | Northfield High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.4 |
| 8 | Girls Athletic Leadership School High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.3 |
| 9 | East High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.2 |
| 10 | South High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.1 |
| 11 | George Washington High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.0 |
| 12 | Kipp Denver Collegiate High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.9 |
| 13 | D'evelyn Junior/senior High School Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | 7.9 |
| 14 | Thomas Jefferson High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.8 |
| 15 | Prep Academy School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.8 |
| 16 | Denver Montessori Junior/senior High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.8 |
| 17 | Contemporary Learning Academy School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.7 |
| 18 | Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.7 |
| 19 | North High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.5 |
| 20 | Dsst: Cole High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.5 |
| 21 | Delta High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.3 |
| 22 | Compassion Road Academy School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.2 |
| 23 | Bishop Machebeuf High School | 7.2 |
| 24 | Beth Jacob High School | 7.1 |
| 25 | Denver Justice High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.0 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Colorado education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Colorado. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Denver
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Denver's Top 10 High Schools
Dsst: Conservatory Green High School
Dsst: College View High School
Dsst: Green Valley Ranch High School
Girls Athletic Leadership School High School
Choosing the Right High School in Denver
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Denver's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Colorado, with 63 schools spanning 10 school districts, plus 17 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Denver, Colorado?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Dsst: Conservatory Green High School is the top-rated high school in Denver with a composite score of 9.3/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Denver, Colorado?
Denver has 63 high schools, including 17 charter schools. Of these, 59 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Denver?
The average composite score for Denver high schools is 6.6/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Colorado).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Colorado, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Colorado, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Denver high school rankings?
Yes. Denver has 17 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.