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Average

#1254 of 1,815 schools in CO

Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory

High School · Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

24500 EAST 6TH AVENUE, Aurora, CO 80018

Enrollment

1,966

Student-Teacher

21.1:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#55 of 100

public schools

Colorado high schools

#280 of 403

In district

#29 of 56

Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory

Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory serves 1,966 students in grades 9-12 in Aurora, Colorado, making it a sizable high school within the Arapahoe County school system. With 93 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 21.1:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive high school experience. The school currently ranks #1038 out of 1831 Colorado high schools, placing it in the 43rd percentile statewide, with room for academic growth as reflected in its 6.0/10 academic score and 5.1/10 overall MySchoolScout rating.

Math performance shows 29% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, indicating the school is focusing on strengthening its STEM foundations. Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory draws from an economically stable community, where families have a median household income of $123,245 and median home values reach $488,400. The surrounding ZIP code area of 15,569 residents shows strong economic indicators with only a 3.6% poverty rate, though 38% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting diverse educational backgrounds among families.

Located on East 6th Avenue in Aurora's large city environment, the school serves students in a well-established suburban community with access to metropolitan resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory is 21.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,319

Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory — Students at Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.0%
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
34%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
29%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory Compares

See how Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in CO
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
93 teachers

Location

24500 EAST 6TH AVENUE, Aurora, CO 80018

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory may also want to explore other high schools in the area. William Smith High School (rated 7.7/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College (rated 4.6/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Denver), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory Aurora 0.3 mi 6.9
Harmony Ridge P-8 Aurora 1.6 mi 8.3
Murphy Creek K-8 School Aurora 2.3 mi 8.1
Clyde Miller K-8 Aurora 3.4 mi 7.3
Green Valley Elementary School Denver 4.2 mi 6.3
Florida Pitt-Waller ECE-8 School Denver 5.0 mi 5.4
Side Creek Elementary School Aurora 4.6 mi 4.8
Aurora Frontier K-8 Aurora 5.1 mi 4.7
Marrama Elementary School Denver 4.8 mi 5.0
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College Denver 5.1 mi 4.6
Aurora Quest K-8 Aurora 4.5 mi 7.8
Edna and John W. Mosley P-8 Aurora 4.6 mi 6.7
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora 5.3 mi 5.5
Vanguard Classical School - East Aurora 4.8 mi 5.0
William Smith High School Aurora 4.7 mi 7.7
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora 5.8 mi 7.2
Arkansas Elementary School Aurora 5.0 mi 3.5
Sandra Todd-Williams Academy Denver 5.5 mi 7.2
Omar D Blair Charter School Denver 5.6 mi 5.0
OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS ACADEMY Watkins 4.9 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,390

Median Home Value

$558,800

Median Rent

$2,542/mo

Population

17,129

College Educated

39.9%

Homeownership

88.9%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

34.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory has a median household income of $127,390. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $558,800, with a median rent of $2,542/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Frederick Senior High School Frederick, CO 5.5
Greeley Central High School Greeley, CO 5.5
Brighton High School Brighton, CO 5.6
Castle View High School Castle Rock, CO 5.6
Coronado High School Colorado Springs, CO 5.6
Doherty High School Colorado Springs, CO 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory

What grades does Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory serve?

Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory?

Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory has an enrollment of approximately 1,966 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory?

The student-teacher ratio at Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory rank in CO?

Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory is ranked #1254 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?

Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Peak 9-12 Preparatory?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory has 30.0% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory a charter school?

No, Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory a Title I school?

No, Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory?

60.9% of students at Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory 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
4 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
26 Somewhat 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
1,966
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
93
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.9%
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

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