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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Colorado Alternative Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 alternative public charter schools serving 9,493 students in Colorado.
The top-ranked alternative public charter schools in Colorado are Horizons K-8 School, Colorado High School Charter - Ges and Community Prep Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Colorado alternative public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the Colorado public charter school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 48% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public charter school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Charter Schools in Colorado (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #2 - 72. - 7.
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: #2 - 72. - 7.
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: #2 - 72. - 7.
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: #2 - 72. - 7.
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: #2 - 72. - 7.
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: #2 - 72. - 7.
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: #88.
Vision Charter Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1080 Pioneer Rd
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-8226
Gr: K-12 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #99.
Southwest Open Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
401 North Dolores Road
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-1150
Gr: 9-12 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1010.
5280 High School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 W Mississippi Ave
Denver, CO 80223
(720) 919-1056
Gr: 9-12 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #11 - 1411. - 14.
Colorado High School Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1175 Osage Street #100
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 892-8475
Gr: 9-12 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #11 - 1411. - 14.
New America School - Aurora
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
9125 E Seventh Place Building
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 320-9854
Gr: 9-12 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #11 - 1411. - 14.
New America School - Thornton
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8978 Washington St
Denver, CO 80229
(303) 991-0130
Gr: 9-12 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #11 - 1411. - 14.
Riseup Community School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2342 Broadway St
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-1018
Gr: 9-12 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1515.
Vista Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1810 St. Mary Drive
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-4470
Gr: 9-12 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1616.
Eastlake High School Of Colorado Springs
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1810 Eastlake Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
(719) 300-8947
Gr: 9-12 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1717.
Aul Denver
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2417 W. 29th Ave
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 282-0900
Gr: 9-12 | 156 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
Boulder Prep Charter High School
Alternative School
Charter School
5075 Chaparral Court #1
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 545-6186
Gr: 9-12 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 43%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public charter schools in Colorado?
The top-ranked alternative public charter schools in Colorado include Horizons K-8 School, Colorado High School Charter - Ges and Community Prep Charter School.
How many alternative public charter schools are located in Colorado?
19 alternative public charter schools are located in Colorado.
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Colorado alternative public charter schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public charter schools average of 53% (majority Hispanic).

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