Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Denver, CO (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Denver Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 303 public schools serving 140,496 students in Denver, CO (there are 107 private schools, serving 19,354 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Denver, CO are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Denver, CO are Polaris Elementary School, Dennison Elementary School and Challenge School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Denver, CO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Colorado public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Denver have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Colorado public schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Denver, CO (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Polaris Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
410 Park Avenue West
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-7860
Gr: 1-5 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
Dennison Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
401 Independence Street
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 982-6382
Gr: K-6 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #33.
Challenge School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
9659 East Mississippi Avenue
Denver, CO 80231
(720) 747-2100
Gr: PK-8 | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #44.
Slavens K-8 School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
3000 South Clayton Street
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-4150
Gr: K-8 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Hulstrom K-8
(Math: 76% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
11551 Wyco Drive
Denver, CO 80233
(720) 972-5400
Gr: K-8 | 663 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #66.
William (Bill) Roberts Ece-8 School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2100 Akron Way
Denver, CO 80238
(720) 424-2640
Gr: K-8 | 872 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #77.
Steck Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
450 Albion Street
Denver, CO 80220
(720) 424-3870
Gr: PK-5 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #88.
Cory Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1550 South Steele Street
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-8380
Gr: 1-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #99.
D'evelyn Junior/senior High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10359 W Nassau Avenue
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 982-2600
Gr: 6-12 | 1,212 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1010.
Denver School Of The Arts
(Math: 67% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7111 Montview Blvd
Denver, CO 80220
(720) 424-1700
Gr: 6-12 | 1,044 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1111.
Devinny Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1725 South Wright Street
Denver, CO 80228
(303) 982-9200
Gr: K-5 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1212.
Steele Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
320 South Marion Parkway
Denver, CO 80209
(720) 424-3720
Gr: K-5 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1313.
Morey Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
840 East 14th Avenue
Denver, CO 80218
(720) 424-0700
Gr: 6-8 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1414.
Park Hill School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5050 East 19th Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(720) 424-4910
Gr: PK-5 | 717 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1515.
Edison Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3350 Quitman Street
Denver, CO 80212
(720) 424-7780
Gr: PK-5 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1616.
Westerly Creek Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8800 East 28th Avenue
Denver, CO 80238
(720) 424-3160
Gr: PK-5 | 647 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1717.
Rooney Ranch Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2200 South Coors Street
Denver, CO 80228
(303) 982-9620
Gr: K-5 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1818.
Mcauliffe International School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2540 Holly St
Denver, CO 80207
(720) 424-1540
Gr: 6-8 | 1,329 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1919.
Teller Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1150 Garfield Street
Denver, CO 80206
(720) 424-3560
Gr: PK-5 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2020.
Swigert International School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3480 Syracuse Street
Denver, CO 80238
(720) 424-4800
Gr: PK-5 | 673 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2121.
Creativity Challenge Community
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1551 S. Monroe St
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-0630
Gr: K-5 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2222.
Denver Green School Northfield
(Math: 60% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5677 N Galena St
Denver, CO 80238
(720) 423-8200
Gr: 6-8 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Asbury Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1320 East Asbury Avenue
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-9750
Gr: K-5 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
University Park Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2300 South St Paul Street
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-3410
Gr: K-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2525.
Green Mountain High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
13175 W Green Mountain Drive
Denver, CO 80228
(303) 982-9500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,071 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2626.
Dsst Cedar High School
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
150 South Pearl Street
Denver, CO 80209
(303) 524-6350
Gr: 9-12 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #2727.
Bromwell Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2500 East 4th Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(720) 424-9330
Gr: PK-5 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2828.
Denver Language School
Charter School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
451 Newport Street
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 557-0852
Gr: K-8 | 930 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2929.
Valdez Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2525 West 29th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
(720) 424-3310
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3030.
Carson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5420 East 1st Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(720) 424-9090
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #3131.
East High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1600 City Park Esplanade
Denver, CO 80206
(720) 423-8300
Gr: 9-12 | 2,476 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #3232.
Northfield High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5500 Central Park Blvd
Denver, CO 80238
(720) 423-8000
Gr: 9-12 | 2,137 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #3333.
Bradley International School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3051 South Elm Street
Denver, CO 80222
(720) 424-9468
Gr: PK-5 | 574 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #3434.
Willow Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8499 E Stoll Place
Denver, CO 80238
(720) 424-2100
Gr: PK-5 | 596 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #3535.
Merrill Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1551 South Monroe Street
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-0600
Gr: 6-8 | 611 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Show 100 more public schools in Denver, CO (out of 303 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Denver, CO?
The top-ranked public schools in Denver, CO include Polaris Elementary School, Dennison Elementary School and Challenge School.
How many public schools are located in Denver?
304 public schools are located in Denver.
What percentage of students in Denver go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Denver are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Denver?
Denver public schools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public schools average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Denver are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CO):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Colorado Top-Ranked Public Schools
Colorado Top-Ranked Public Schools
 Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
 School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes

More Articles

Local School Topics
About Public Schools
Parenting and Learning Issues
Evaluating Public Schools
Scholarships