Denver County Schools & Education
Denver County, Colorado
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
10/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
73.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
73.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,100
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,447
School Score
10/100
Higher = better
State avg 36/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#57
of 63 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Denver County
School Verdict
Denver County faces educational challenges with a school score of 10/100 and a graduation rate of 73.3%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,100 per pupil, Denver County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Denver County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 74% below the Colorado average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 9.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 18% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Denver County, Colorado
Colorado's Largest Urban School System
Denver County hosts a massive educational landscape with 205 public schools serving 88,636 students. The system is exceptionally diverse, featuring 114 elementary, 34 middle, and 51 high schools. Charter schools play a major role here, with 57 schools representing nearly 28% of all public options.
Navigating Large-Scale Urban Challenges
Denver's graduation rate of 73.3% sits below the state average of 83.1% and the national 87% benchmark. The county invests $6,100 per pupil, which is lower than both state and national spending levels. These factors contribute to a composite school score of 42.8, highlighting the complexities of the state's largest district.
Denver Public Schools Dominance
School District No. 1 (Denver Public Schools) is the primary engine, managing 203 schools and over 87,000 students. The district is a leader in school choice, offering dozens of charter and magnet programs. For those seeking alternatives, there are 20 designated alternative schools within the city's borders.
Vibrant City Life and Large Campuses
With 198 schools classified as city locales, the education experience is deeply urban and fast-paced. Average school size is 432 students, but flagship campuses like East High School can reach over 2,500. This scale allows for immense diversity in extracurriculars, arts, and advanced academic tracks.
Unlimited Choice in the Mile High City
Homebuyers in Denver have access to the state's most extensive selection of specialized and charter schools. From high-performing neighborhood schools to international magnets, there is a program for every type of learner. Use school choice as a guide when exploring Denver’s diverse and historic neighborhoods.
School Overview
Total Schools
205
in Denver County
Total Enrollment
88,636
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
57
28% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Denver County
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
DENVER 1
205 Public Schools in Denver County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East High School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9–12 | High | 2,505 |
| Northfield High School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9–12 | High | 1,872 |
| South High School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9–12 | High | 1,844 |
| North High School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9–12 | High | 1,637 |
| McAuliffe International School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 6–8 | Middle | 1,487 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9–12 | High | 1,329 |
| George Washington High School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9–12 | High | 1,270 |
| Montbello High School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9–12 | High | 1,130 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 6–12 | High | 1,062 |
| Denver School of the Arts | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 6–12 | High | 1,058 |
| Abraham Lincoln High School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9–12 | High | 986 |
| Denver Language School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | KG–8 | Charter | 882 |
| Florida Pitt-Waller ECE-8 School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | PK–8 | Primary | 828 |
| William (Bill) Roberts ECE-8 School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | KG–8 | Primary | 828 |
| Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | KG–12 | Other | 821 |
| McGlone Academy | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | PK–8 | Primary | 803 |
| Denver Online | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | KG–12 | Other | 799 |
| John F Kennedy High School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | 9–12 | High | 789 |
| Slavens K-8 School | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | KG–8 | Primary | 752 |
| Place Bridge Academy | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | PK–8 | Primary | 746 |
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,100
State avg $7,447
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Denver County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Denver County?
How much does Denver County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Denver County, Colorado — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Denver County, Colorado?
Denver County hosts a massive educational landscape with 205 public schools serving 88,636 students. The system is exceptionally diverse, featuring 114 elementary, 34 middle, and 51 high schools. Charter schools play a major role here, with 57 schools representing nearly 28% of all public options.
How do schools in Denver County perform academically?
Denver's graduation rate of 73.3% sits below the state average of 83.1% and the national 87% benchmark. The county invests $6,100 per pupil, which is lower than both state and national spending levels. These factors contribute to a composite school score of 42.8, highlighting the complexities of the state's largest district.
What are the major school districts in Denver County, Colorado?
School District No. 1 (Denver Public Schools) is the primary engine, managing 203 schools and over 87,000 students. The district is a leader in school choice, offering dozens of charter and magnet programs. For those seeking alternatives, there are 20 designated alternative schools within the city's borders.
What is the school experience like in Denver County?
With 198 schools classified as city locales, the education experience is deeply urban and fast-paced. Average school size is 432 students, but flagship campuses like East High School can reach over 2,500. This scale allows for immense diversity in extracurriculars, arts, and advanced academic tracks.
How can I find homes near good schools in Denver County, Colorado?
Homebuyers in Denver have access to the state's most extensive selection of specialized and charter schools. From high-performing neighborhood schools to international magnets, there is a program for every type of learner. Use school choice as a guide when exploring Denver’s diverse and historic neighborhoods.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.