Best Schools in Denver, Colorado
274 schools · 164 Elementary · 33 Middle · 63 High · 14 Other
Choosing a school in Denver?
Use this page to compare every school in Denver by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Westerly Creek Elementary
Elementary · School District No. 1 in the County of Denver and State of C. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Willow Elementary School
Elementary · School District No. 1 in the County of Denver and State of C. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Carson Elementary School
Elementary · School District No. 1 in the County of Denver and State of C. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Denver for 2026 are Westerly Creek Elementary (9.4/10), Willow Elementary School (9.4/10), and Carson Elementary School (9.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 216 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
274
226 public · 48 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$595,660
home value · ACS
Districts
10
serving the city
Schools
274
226 public · 48 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$595,660
home value · ACS
Districts
10
serving the city
Rates 9.3/10 despite 61% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.7 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Denver schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Denver
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 216 rated schools; 274 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westerly Creek Elementary | 9.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Willow Elementary School | 9.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Carson Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Trevista at Horace Mann | 9.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Bromwell Elementary School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Edison Elementary School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Girls Athletic Leadership School Middle School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Valdez Elementary School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Creativity Challenge Community | 9.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Isabella Bird Community School | 9.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $92,942
- Median home value
- $595,660
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 52%
44% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Denver compares
Colorado rank
#43 of 126
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Colorado avg (6.4)
Median household income
$93k
108% of Colorado median
Schools in this city
260
Education Snapshot
Denver, ColoradoDenver's 277 schools span 10 districts and enroll roughly 107,769 students, with 163 elementary campuses forming the largest tier of a system that also includes 34 middle schools and 63 high schools. The city's composite MySchoolScout rating averages 6.5/10 across 258 scored schools — 0.3 points above Colorado's state average of 6.2/10. With 56 charter schools on the roster, roughly one in five Denver campuses operates outside the traditional district structure, giving families a wider selection than a district-only system would provide. The economic picture also clears the state line: a median household income of $98,983 runs 3% above Colorado's statewide median of $96,267. Adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher make up 52% of Denver's population, a figure that reflects the city's draw for college-educated residents. Across ratings, charter availability, and household income, Denver runs ahead of its Colorado state benchmarks on each measure.
School District No. 1 In the County of Denver and State of C runs 87% of Denver's public schools
Denver touches 10 districts, but School District No. 1 In the County of Denver and State of C is the one most addresses actually attend.
School District No. 1 In the County of Denver and State of C accounts for 197 of 226 public schools (87%). The other 9 districts hold the remaining 29.
Among 216 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.7 to 9.4 — the spread is inside Denver, not a citywide average.
56 of the 226 public schools are charters (25%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- School District No. 1 In the County of Denver and State of C197 public · 87%
- Mapleton School District No. 1 In the County of Adams & St10 public · 4%
- Westminster Public Schools7 public · 3%
- Cherry Creek School District No. 5 In the County of Arapah4 public · 2%
- Adams 12 Five Star Schools2 public · 1%
About Schools in Denver, Colorado
Denver's public school landscape spans 222 ranked schools, giving parents a wide field to evaluate. The city averages 6.2 out of 10 across all ranked schools — a solid baseline, though the range is wide. Thirty-six percent of Denver schools, 81 in total, score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist across multiple neighborhoods rather than clustering in one corner of the city.
At the top of the performance range, DSST: Conservatory Green High School leads with a 9.4 rating, the highest score in the city. Three elementary schools match that mark: Inspire Elementary and French American School of Denver each score 9.4, while Edison Elementary School posts a 9.3. Valdez Elementary School rounds out the top tier at 9.1. The concentration of high performers at the elementary level is notable — parents of younger children have multiple top-tier options to target, and competition for seats at these schools can be significant.
Denver operates as a school choice district, which directly shapes how parents should approach their search. Attendance boundaries matter less here than in traditional districts. Families can apply to charter schools, innovation schools, and magnet programs across the city regardless of home address. That flexibility is a genuine advantage, but it also means the search process is more active — enrollment periods, application deadlines, and lottery systems require parents to plan six to twelve months ahead.
The 64% of schools that score below 7 spans a real performance gap. Parents comparing neighborhood schools should look beyond the overall score at growth data and demographic equity metrics, since some lower-rated schools serve high-need populations and outperform their raw score on student progress measures. The 36% of schools at 7 or above gives Denver a credible tier of strong performers, but locating them requires deliberate research rather than defaulting to the nearest school. Start with the top-rated schools in your priority grade level, check their lottery timelines, and treat the school choice calendar as a hard deadline.
Elementary Schools
164 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 673 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.4 |
| 2 | 565 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.4 |
| 3 | 415 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
| 4 | 447 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
| 5 | 290 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 6 | 553 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 7 | 412 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 |
| 8 | 295 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 |
| 9 | 420 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 |
| 10 | 444 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
Show all 164 elementary schools in Denver
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
33 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 203 students · 6th–8th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 335 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
| 3 | 479 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
| 4 | 540 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
| 5 | 656 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 |
| 6 | 1,371 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 |
| 7 | 463 students · 6th–8th | 7.9 |
| 8 | 604 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 9 | 480 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
| 10 | 459 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
Show all 33 middle schools in Denver
High Schools
63 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 562 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 1,039 students · 6th–12th | 8.3 |
| 3 | 548 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 4 | 543 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
| 5 | 565 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 |
| 6 | 2,066 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 |
| 7 | 566 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 8 | 1,846 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 9 | 2,359 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 10 | 93 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
Show all 63 high schools in Denver
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 215 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 120 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.3 | ||
| 3 | 44 students · 9th–11th | 7.3 | ||
| 4 | 447 students · 9th–11th | 7.2 | ||
| 5 | 171 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 6 | 57 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.3 | ||
| 7 | 789 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 | ||
| 8 | 379 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 9 | 76 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.0 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Denver Jewish Day SchoolPrivate 316 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 14 other schools in Denver
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Denver
Denver, Colorado · 274 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 30 ZIP codes
Median Income
$92,942
Median Home Value
$595,660
Median Rent
$1,776/mo
Population
887,239
College Educated
53%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Community Profile
Denver has a median household income of $92,942. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $595,660, with a median rent of $1,776/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Colorado
- Elementary
- 164
- Middle
- 33
- High
- 63
- Other
- 14
Resources
School Districts (10)
DENVER 1
1 school · 379 students
State Charter School Institute
44 schools · 19,593 students
Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A
58 schools · 38,178 students
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
70 schools · 51,808 students
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
197 schools · 88,258 students
Jefferson County School District No. R-1
148 schools · 74,251 students
Mapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St
20 schools · 7,016 students
Sheridan School District No. 2
5 schools · 1,058 students
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
54 schools · 34,998 students
Westminster Public Schools
18 schools · 7,631 students
Other Major Cities in Colorado
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Denver, Colorado
How many schools are in Denver, Colorado?
Denver has 274 schools, including 226 public and 48 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Denver, Colorado?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Denver is 6.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Denver, Colorado?
The top-ranked school in Denver on MySchoolScout is Westerly Creek Elementary with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Denver, Colorado?
The top-ranked elementary school in Denver on MySchoolScout is Westerly Creek Elementary with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Denver, Colorado?
The top-ranked middle school in Denver on MySchoolScout is Girls Athletic Leadership School Middle School with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best high school in Denver, Colorado?
The top-ranked high school in Denver on MySchoolScout is Dsst: Conservatory Green High School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
How many school districts serve Denver, Colorado?
Denver is served by 10 school districts: Denver 1, State Charter School Institute, Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the Counties of Adams and a, Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the County of Arapah, School District No. 1 in the County of Denver and State of C, Jefferson County School District No. R-1, Mapleton School District No. 1 in the County of Adams & St, Sheridan School District No. 2, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Westminster Public Schools.
What is the education level in Denver, Colorado?
According to Census data, 53% of adults in Denver have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Denver, Colorado?
The median household income in Denver is approximately $92,942 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Denver, Colorado?
Yes, Denver has 48 private schools alongside 226 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Elizabeth's School with a score of 9.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Denver, Colorado?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Denver is 14.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Denver, Colorado?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Colorado Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.