Best Schools in Denver, North Carolina
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 2 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.
Rock Springs Elementary
Elementary · Lincoln County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Catawba Springs Elementary
Elementary · Lincoln County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
East Lincoln High
High · Lincoln County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Denver for 2026 are Rock Springs Elementary (8.3/10), Catawba Springs Elementary (8.1/10), and East Lincoln High (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 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
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$455,700
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$455,700
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Denver
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rock Springs Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Catawba Springs Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | East Lincoln High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Lincoln Charter School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 5 | North Lincoln Middle | 6.8 / 10 |
| 6 | St James Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 7 | West Lake Preparatory Academy | 6.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Denver Christian Academy | 6.4 / 10 |
| 9 | Starboard Christian Academy | 4.0 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $109,779
- Median home value
- $455,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
33% 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
North Carolina rank
#61 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$110k
162% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Denver, North Carolina
Denver, North Carolina is home to 9 schools, including 7 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Denver show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Denver is Rock Springs Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Denver is served by 3 school districts: Lincoln Charter School, West Lake Preparatory Academy, Lincoln County Schools. These districts collectively serve 14,273 students.
Denver's community shows 46% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $109,779. The poverty rate in the area is 5.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 647 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 531 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 3 | 665 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 4 | 359 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.6 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Starboard Christian Academy
Private
61 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.0 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 751 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,090 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,272 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.9 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Denver Christian Academy
Private
125 students · Pre-K–9th | 6.4 | ||
Schools in Denver
Denver, North Carolina · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$109,779
Median Home Value
$455,700
Median Rent
$1,126/mo
Population
27,128
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Community Profile
Denver has a median household income of $109,779. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $455,700, with a median rent of $1,126/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
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, North Carolina
How many schools are in Denver, North Carolina?
Denver has 9 schools, including 7 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Denver, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Denver is 6.8 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, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Denver on MySchoolScout is Rock Springs Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Denver, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Denver on MySchoolScout is Rock Springs Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Denver, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Denver on MySchoolScout is North Lincoln Middle with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Denver, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Denver on MySchoolScout is East Lincoln High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Denver, North Carolina?
Denver is served by 3 school districts: Lincoln Charter School, West Lake Preparatory Academy, Lincoln County Schools.
What is the education level in Denver, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Denver have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Denver, North Carolina?
The median household income in Denver is approximately $109,779 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Denver, North Carolina?
Yes, Denver has 2 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Denver Christian Academy with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Denver, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Denver is 16.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Denver, North Carolina?
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.
Related reading
- Best Schools in Denver, CO — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Charlotte, NC — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.