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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Colorado Alternative Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 40 alternative public middle schools serving 7,327 students in Colorado.
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in Colorado are Delta Academy Of Applied Learning, Horizons K-8 School and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Colorado alternative public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the Colorado public middle school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 43% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public middle school average of 52% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Middle 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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #8 - 128. - 12.
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: #8 - 128. - 12.
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: #8 - 128. - 12.
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: #8 - 128. - 12.
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: #8 - 128. - 12.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
Marvin W Foote Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
13500 East Fremont Place
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 768-7596
Gr: 5-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1616.
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: #1717.
Tiger Trades Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1401 East 6th Stree
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 363-1504
Gr: 5-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1818.
Patriot High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
11990 Swingline Road
Peyton, CO 80831
(719) 495-5505
Gr: 6-12 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1919.
Pathways Future Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
550 E. 124th Avenue
Thornton, CO 80241
(720) 972-4723
Gr: 6-12 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Connections Learning Center On The Earle Johnson Campus
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 Johnson Road
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7004
Gr: 6-9 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Grand Mesa Choice Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
822 Grand Avenue
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-2753
Gr: 7-12 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Innovations & Options
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
830 Bridge Street
Brighton, CO 80601
(303) 655-2850
Gr: 6-12 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2323.
Poudre Community Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2540 Laporte Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 490-3295
Gr: 6-12 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2424.
Academy Of Las Animas Online School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2001 Lake Ave
Pueblo, CO 81004
(800) 808-0718
Gr: 6-12 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2525.
70 Online
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Lane 28
Pueblo, CO 81001
(719) 295-6518
Gr: K-12 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2626.
Summit Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5590 W Evans Ave.
Denver, CO 80227
(720) 424-2400
Gr: 6-12 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2727.
Denver Center For 21st-century Learning At Wyman
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1690 Williams Street
Denver, CO 80218
(720) 424-2980
Gr: 6-12 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #28 - 3128. - 31.
Mclain Community High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
13600 West 2nd Place
Denver, CO 80228
(303) 982-7460
Gr: 7-12 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #28 - 3128. - 31.
Nikola Tesla Education Opportunity Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3302 Alpine Place
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3100
Gr: 6-12 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #28 - 3128. - 31.
Vantage Point
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
10900 Huron Street
Denver, CO 80234
(720) 972-5800
Gr: 6-12 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #28 - 3128. - 31.
Vista Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4800 Telluride Street Bldg. 6
Denver, CO 80249
(720) 423-7650
Gr: 6-12 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3232.
Jefferson Junior/senior High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1315 4th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 348-1600
Gr: 7-12 | 614 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
Alamosa Alternative Education School
Alternative School
209 Victoria Ave
Alamosa, CO 81101
(719) 587-7640
Gr: 6-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: n/an/a
Betty K Marler Youth Services Center
Alternative School
7862 West Mansfield Parkway
Denver, CO 80235
(720) 220-1246
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Gilliam Youth Services Center
Alternative School
2844 Downing
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 294-8930
Gr: 5-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Show 5 more Alternative public schools in Colorado (out of 40 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public middle schools in Colorado?
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in Colorado include Delta Academy Of Applied Learning, Horizons K-8 School and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School.
How many alternative public middle schools are located in Colorado?
45 alternative public middle schools are located in Colorado.
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Colorado alternative public middle schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public middle schools average of 52% (majority Hispanic).

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