Best High Schools
in Denver, Colorado
We ranked all 63 high schools in Denver. The top 25 scored between 7.1 and 9.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Colorado education data
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: College View High School
George Washington 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Colorado so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DSST: Conservatory Green High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9.6 |
| 2 | DSST: College View High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9.1 |
| 3 | George Washington High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.7 |
| 4 | Contemporary Learning Academy School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.5 |
| 5 | South High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.5 |
| 6 | Northfield High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.5 |
| 7 | Delta High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.4 |
| 8 | North High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 8.2 |
| 9 | John F Kennedy High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.8 |
| 10 | Prep Academy School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.8 |
| 11 | Girls Athletic Leadership School High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.8 |
| 12 | Denver School of the Arts School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.6 |
| 13 | Thomas Jefferson High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.5 |
| 14 | Colorado High School Charter Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.5 |
| 15 | Summit Academy School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.5 |
| 16 | Denver Justice High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.4 |
| 17 | DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.4 |
| 18 | Denver Center for 21st-Century Learning at Wyman School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.4 |
| 19 | DSST: Montview High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.3 |
| 20 | 5280 High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.3 |
| 21 | North High School Engagement Center School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.2 |
| 22 | DSST: Cedar High School Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.2 |
| 23 | Colorado High School Charter - GES Charter School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.2 |
| 24 | BISHOP MACHEBEUF HIGH SCHOOL | 7.2 |
| 25 | East High School School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 7.1 |
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
George Washington High School
Contemporary Learning Academy
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 9.6/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 6.5/10. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.