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#1441 of 1,815 schools in CO

Vista Academy

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

4800 TELLURIDE STREET BLDG. 6, Denver, CO 80249

Enrollment

273

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#184 of 222

public schools

Colorado high schools

#317 of 403

In district

#163 of 196

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

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Vista Academy

Vista Academy is an alternative school in Denver, Colorado, catering to students from grade 6 through 12. With a total enrollment of 273 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, the school offers personalized attention with 18 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting each student's unique needs. Located in a bustling city setting, Vista Academy provides an environment where students can explore various educational pathways beyond traditional high school curricula.

While Vista Academy currently ranks lower on academic metrics compared to other schools in Colorado—with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.3/10 and ranking #1764 out of 1831 schools—the focus is on student development rather than purely academic performance. Test scores show that only 8% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 3% meet proficiency standards in Math, indicating areas for improvement but also opportunities for growth. Vista Academy stands as a beacon for alternative education options within Denver's diverse urban landscape.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Overall Proficiency4%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-16.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,336

Vista Academy — Students at Vista Academy score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 3.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 8.5%
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
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
2.5%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Vista Academy Compares

See how Vista Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in CO
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

4800 TELLURIDE STREET BLDG. 6, Denver, CO 80249

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vista Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School (rated 7.4/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montbello Career and Technical High School (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Legacy Options High School (rated 6.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School Denver 0.0 mi 7.4
DSST: Green Valley Ranch Middle School Denver 0.1 mi 6.4
Rocky Mountain Prep Green Valley Ranch Denver 0.1 mi 6.0
SOAR at Green Valley Ranch Denver 0.1 mi 4.4
KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy Denver 0.2 mi 6.1
Rocky Mountain Prep RISE Denver 0.2 mi 4.6
KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School Denver 0.4 mi 7.6
KIPP Northeast Elementary Denver 0.4 mi 5.3
Omar D Blair Charter School Denver 0.7 mi 5.0
Sandra Todd-Williams Academy Denver 0.8 mi 7.2
Montbello Career and Technical High School Denver 1.1 mi 7.1
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College Denver 1.1 mi 4.6
Marrama Elementary School Denver 1.2 mi 5.0
Rocky Mountain Prep Noel Denver 1.1 mi 5.0
Montbello Middle School Denver 1.1 mi 5.4
Highline Academy Northeast Denver 1.2 mi 6.1
Lena Archuleta Elementary School Denver 1.4 mi 4.8
Green Valley Elementary School Denver 1.9 mi 6.3
Legacy Options High School Denver 2.5 mi 6.2
Barney Ford Elementary School Denver 2.0 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80249 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,457

Median Home Value

$457,500

Median Rent

$2,083/mo

Population

41,209

College Educated

30%

Homeownership

75.8%

Avg Commute

28.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

31.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vista Academy has a median household income of $97,457. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $457,500, with a median rent of $2,083/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% 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
Pikes Peak Early College Colorado Springs, CO 5.1
Sanford Junior/Senior High School Sanford, CO 4.9
Buena Vista High School Buena Vista, CO 5.2
Calhan Secondary School Calhan, CO 4.8
Excel Academy Denver, CO 4.8
Highland High School Ault, CO 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vista Academy

What grades does Vista Academy serve?

Vista Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Vista Academy?

Vista Academy has an enrollment of approximately 273 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Vista Academy is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vista Academy rank in CO?

Vista Academy is ranked #1441 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Vista Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Vista Academy has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Vista Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Academy has 3.3% math proficiency and 8.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vista Academy a charter school?

No, Vista Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vista Academy a Title I school?

No, Vista Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista Academy?

83.5% of students at Vista Academy 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

City Safety
High (5,773/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.5%
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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