Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the County of Arapah

Cherry Creek School District No. 5 serves 51,808 students across Arapahoe County, Colorado, making it one of the larger districts in the state. The district runs 70 ranked schools, and the average school score across that network lands at 6.8 out of 10 — a solid baseline that reflects consistent academic delivery at scale. For parents weighing districts by overall quality density, that average across 70 schools carries real weight.

Performance at the top end pushes well above that baseline. Dry Creek Elementary School leads the district with a 9.2 out of 10, tying with Cherry Creek Charter Academy at the same score. Both rank among the strongest elementary programs in the district, giving families in those attendance zones — or families willing to pursue charter enrollment — access to schools performing significantly above the district average. Fox Hollow Elementary School and Black Forest Hills Elementary School both score 8.8, keeping the upper tier tight and competitive. That cluster of high-scoring elementaries signals genuine strength in the district's foundational grades.

At the secondary level, Cherry Creek Elevation earns an 8.8 out of 10, making it the standout high school in the district's ranked results. Its score puts it 1.0 point above the district-wide average, a meaningful gap when comparing options for older students. Parents evaluating high school placement will want to factor in that Cherry Creek Elevation clears a bar most schools in the district do not reach.

The broader picture suits parents who prioritize both choice and quality. With 70 schools across the district, families have real options — and the data shows those options aren't evenly distributed. The gap between the district average of 6.8 and the top schools scoring 9.2 tells you where to focus your search. Cherry Creek's size means access to specialized programs and varied school types, including charter options, while its top performers demonstrate that high scores are achievable within the district rather than requiring a move elsewhere. Parents should use individual school scores as a filter rather than relying on the district name alone.