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Very Good

#520 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 29% in state

5280 High School

High School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

1200 W MISSISSIPPI AVE, Denver, CO 80223

Charter

Enrollment

92

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#78 of 222

public schools

Colorado high schools

#79 of 403

In district

#75 of 196

School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About 5280 High School

5280 High School is an alternative charter school located in Denver, Colorado, serving students from ninth to twelfth grade. With a student body of 92 learners and a teacher-to-student ratio of 10.2:1, the school offers personalized attention and support. The campus, situated at 1200 W Mississippi Ave, is well-equipped to cater to diverse learning needs within its urban setting.

While the MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.8 out of 10, placing it around the 55th percentile among Colorado schools, there is room for academic growth and development. Students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts/Reading at a rate of 35%, while math proficiency sits at 17%. These scores indicate areas where additional support could benefit students.

The school’s location in Denver offers a dynamic urban environment that complements its educational approach, fostering an inclusive community for both learners and educators.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 92 students, 5280 High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at 5280 High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

5280 High School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,336

5280 High School — Students at 5280 High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
10%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.

How 5280 High School Compares

See how 5280 High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
71th percentile in CO
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

1200 W MISSISSIPPI AVE, Denver, CO 80223

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering 5280 High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. KIPP Denver Collegiate High School (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Florence Crittenton High School (rated 6.2/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Rocky Mountain Prep SMART (rated 4.8/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Godsman Elementary School Denver 0.7 mi 4.8
Goldrick Elementary School Denver 0.7 mi 8.7
ST ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC ACADEMY Denver 0.9 mi 4.9
Denver Online Denver 1.0 mi 3.1
KIPP Denver Collegiate High School Denver 1.0 mi 6.9
Schmitt Elementary School Denver 1.1 mi 6.2
Valverde Elementary School Denver 1.1 mi 5.7
KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy Denver 1.1 mi 5.2
McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School Denver 1.0 mi 8.5
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF WASHINGTON PARK Denver 1.3 mi
Lincoln Elementary School Denver 1.2 mi 8.2
Florence Crittenton High School Denver 1.5 mi 6.2
Grant Beacon Middle School Denver 1.4 mi 7.1
Denver Center for International Studies at Fairmon Denver 1.7 mi 8.5
Rocky Mountain Prep Federal Denver 1.5 mi 6.4
Rocky Mountain Prep Ruby Hill Denver 1.6 mi 7.6
Pascual Ledoux Academy Denver 1.4 mi 7.1
Rocky Mountain Prep SMART Denver 1.4 mi 4.8
Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest Denver 1.4 mi 6.4
Kepner Beacon Middle School Denver 1.4 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,461

Median Home Value

$497,900

Median Rent

$1,650/mo

Population

19,624

College Educated

45.8%

Homeownership

47.4%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

34.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding 5280 High School has a median household income of $80,461. 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 $497,900, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aspen Valley Campus Colorado Springs, CO 7.3
Nucla High School Nucla, CO 7.3
SEPTEMBER SCHOOL Boulder, CO 7.3
Welte Education Center Fountain, CO 7.3
North High School Engagement Center Denver, CO 7.2
Denver Justice High School Denver, CO 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about 5280 High School

What grades does 5280 High School serve?

5280 High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend 5280 High School?

5280 High School has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at 5280 High School?

The student-teacher ratio at 5280 High School is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does 5280 High School rank in CO?

5280 High School is ranked #520 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is 5280 High School's MySchoolScout rating?

5280 High School has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at 5280 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, 5280 High School has 16.7% math proficiency and 34.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is 5280 High School a charter school?

Yes, 5280 High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is 5280 High School a Title I school?

No, 5280 High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for 5280 High School?

40.2% of students at 5280 High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
68 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,773/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Denver). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.2%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Denver County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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