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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Colorado Alternative Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 102 alternative public schools serving 22,911 students in Colorado.
The top-ranked alternative public schools in Colorado are Delta Academy Of Applied Learning, Horizons K-8 School and Odyssey Early College And Career Options. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Colorado alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Colorado public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Schools in Colorado (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Delta Academy Of Applied Learning
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
822 Grand Ave
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-0835
Gr: 5-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Horizons K-8 School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4545 Sioux Drive
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-5580
Gr: K-8 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Odyssey Early College And Career Options
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2115 Afton Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3009
Gr: 9-12 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #44.
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1905 Orchard Place
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 488-8260
Gr: K-12 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Pueblo Youth Service Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1406 West 17th Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 253-6025
Gr: 4-12 | 15 students Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Byron Syring Delta Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
345 Prospect
Monte Vista, CO 81144
(719) 852-2212
Gr: 9-12 | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 51:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Longview High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
13301 West 2nd Place
Denver, CO 80228
(303) 982-8523
Gr: 9-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
North Conejos Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
635 Main Street
La Jara, CO 81140
(719) 274-4220
Gr: K-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Prairie Creek High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
56729 E Colorado Avenue
Strasburg, CO 80136
(303) 622-6328
Gr: 9-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1010.
Yampa Valley High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
325 7th Street
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
(970) 871-3296
Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1111.
Prairie Vista Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
192 Bromley Business Parkway
Brighton, CO 80603
(303) 659-4450
Gr: 4-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Chaffee County High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
613 East Main Street
Buena Vista, CO 81211
(719) 395-4064
Gr: 7-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Compassion Road Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1000 Cherokee Street
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 424-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 96 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Career Readiness Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2883 South Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 579-2580
Gr: 5-12 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Colorado High School Charter - Ges
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3093 E 42nd Ave
Denver, CO 80216
(720) 524-8664
Gr: 9-12 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Community Prep Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
332 East Willamette Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 227-8836
Gr: 9-12 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Denver Justice High School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
300 E. 9th Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 480-5610
Gr: 9-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Harold Ferguson High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1811 W 15th St
Loveland, CO 80538
(970) 613-5300
Gr: 9-12 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Horizons Exploratory Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
310 E 9th Street
Salida, CO 81201
(719) 530-5252
Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Justice High Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
805 Excalibur
Lafayette, CO 80026
(720) 935-1337
Gr: 6-12 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Lincoln High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
230 Walnut Street
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
(970) 867-2924
Gr: 9-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Lookout Mountain
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2901 Ford Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Montbello Career And Technical High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4501 Airport Way
Denver, CO 80239
(720) 423-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Mount View Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7862 West Mansfield Parkway
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 987-4525
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
New America School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5806 W Alameda Ave
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 894-3171
Gr: 9-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
New Legacy Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2091 North Dayton Street
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 340-7880
Gr: 9-12 | 96 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Prep Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2727 Columbine Street
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-8451
Gr: 6-12 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
Respect Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2285 South Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219
(720) 423-5228
Gr: 9-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #14 - 2914. - 29.
San Juan Mountain School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
800 South 8th Street
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
(970) 264-2231
Gr: 9-12 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
The Academic Recovery Center Of San Luis Valley
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
550 S. Sylvester Avenue
Center, CO 81125
(719) 754-2859
Gr: 9-12 | 16 students Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Spring Creek Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3190 East Las Vegas
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 329-6924
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #3232.
Vail Ski And Snowboard Academy (Vssa)
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1 Academy Loop
Minturn, CO 81645
(970) 328-2832
Gr: 5-12 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #3333.
Dual Immersion Academy School
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
552 A West Main Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6070
Gr: PK-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Emily Griffith High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1860 Lincoln St.
Denver, CO 80203
(720) 423-4901
Gr: 9-12 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Endeavor Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
14076 East Briarwood Ave
Englewood, CO 80112
(720) 886-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Show 67 more Alternative public schools in Colorado (out of 102 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public schools in Colorado?
The top-ranked alternative public schools in Colorado include Delta Academy Of Applied Learning, Horizons K-8 School and Odyssey Early College And Career Options.
How many alternative public schools are located in Colorado?
111 alternative public schools are located in Colorado.
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Colorado alternative public schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public schools average of 51% (majority Hispanic).

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