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Very Good

#370 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 20% in state

Cherokee Trail High School

High School · Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

25901 ARAPAHOE PARKWAY, Aurora, CO 80016

Enrollment

3,059

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#13 of 100

public schools

Colorado high schools

#46 of 403

In district

#21 of 70

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

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Cherokee Trail High School

Cherokee Trail High School serves 3,059 students in grades 9-12 in Aurora, Colorado, making it one of the larger high schools in the area. With 158 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive high school experience. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #514 out of 1,831 Colorado high schools, placing it in the 72nd percentile statewide.

Cherokee Trail earns an academic score of 8.4 out of 10, reflecting strong educational outcomes. In mathematics, 48% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, indicating steady academic progress throughout the high school years. Cherokee Trail High School sits in the heart of Aurora's thriving 80016 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $141,728 and the median home value is $666,900.

This affluent community strongly values education, with 58% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 4.1%. The school benefits from being located in a large city setting that offers students access to diverse opportunities and resources while serving a well-educated, economically stable community of over 64,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

Cherokee Trail High School is a large school with 3,059 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation33.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,137

Cherokee Trail High School — Students at Cherokee Trail High School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 75.0%
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
55%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
48%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Cherokee Trail High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in CO
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
158 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
33.2% participation·168 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

25901 ARAPAHOE PARKWAY, Aurora, CO 80016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cherokee Trail High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Grandview High School (rated 8.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Eaglecrest High School (rated 7.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Centennial), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Fox Ridge Middle School Aurora 0.3 mi 6.2
Pine Ridge Elementary School Aurora 0.6 mi 6.8
Black Forest Hills Elementary School Aurora 0.6 mi 8.8
Coyote Hills Elementary School Aurora 0.9 mi 5.0
Altitude Elementary School Aurora 1.1 mi 8.4
Woodland Elementary School Aurora 1.6 mi 7.4
Infinity Middle School Aurora 2.1 mi 6.9
Buffalo Trail Elementary School Aurora 2.2 mi 5.5
Canyon Creek Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 5.1
Antelope Ridge Elementary School Aurora 2.8 mi 5.3
Liberty Middle School Aurora 2.9 mi 4.6
Outback Preschool Aurora 3.2 mi 6.5
Thunder Ridge Middle School Aurora 3.4 mi 6.2
Eaglecrest High School Centennial 3.4 mi 7.7
Mountain Vista Elementary School Centennial 3.6 mi 6.3
Grandview High School Aurora 3.2 mi 8.3
Timberline Elementary School Centennial 3.7 mi 5.5
Heritage Heights Academy Centennial 3.8 mi 5.9
Falcon Creek Middle School Aurora 3.8 mi 6.6
Creekside Elementary School Centennial 3.9 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,421

Median Home Value

$707,700

Median Rent

$2,140/mo

Population

66,479

College Educated

58.4%

Homeownership

80.5%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cherokee Trail High School has a median household income of $148,421. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $707,700, with a median rent of $2,140/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Eaglecrest High School Centennial, CO 7.7
Fairview High School Boulder, CO 7.4
Legacy High School Broomfield, CO 7.3
Fort Collins High School Fort Collins, CO 7.2
Boulder High School Boulder, CO 7.1
East High School Denver, CO 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cherokee Trail High School

What grades does Cherokee Trail High School serve?

Cherokee Trail High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Cherokee Trail High School?

Cherokee Trail High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,059 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Trail High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Trail High School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cherokee Trail High School rank in CO?

Cherokee Trail High School is ranked #370 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Cherokee Trail High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee Trail High School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Cherokee Trail High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cherokee Trail High School has 50.3% math proficiency and 75.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cherokee Trail High School a charter school?

No, Cherokee Trail High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cherokee Trail High School a Title I school?

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

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

21.8% of students at Cherokee Trail 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
29 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,074/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,059
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
158
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Arapahoe 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

Related reading

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