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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Denver County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 198 public schools serving 88,864 students in Denver County, CO (there are 79 private schools, serving 14,785 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Denver County, CO are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Denver County, CO are Polaris Elementary School, Challenge School and Slavens K-8 School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Denver County, CO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Colorado public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Denver County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Colorado public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Denver County (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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #18 - 1918. - 19.
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: #18 - 1918. - 19.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
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: #2727.
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: #2828.
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: #2929.
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%
Rank: #3030.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
710 South Pennsylvania Street
Denver, CO 80209
(720) 424-5990
Gr: PK-6 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #3131.
Dsst Cedar Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
150 S Pearl Street
Denver, CO 80209
(303) 524-6350
Gr: 6-8 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #3232.
Dsst Green Valley Ranch High School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4800 Telluride Street #2
Denver, CO 80249
(303) 524-6300
Gr: 9-12 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3333.
George Washington High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
655 South Monaco Pkwy
Denver, CO 80224
(720) 423-8600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,326 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3434.
Mckinley-thatcher Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1230 South Grant Street
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-5600
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3535.
Dsst Conservatory Green High School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5590 N Central Park Blvd #4
Denver, CO 80238
(303) 802-4127
Gr: 9-12 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Show 100 more public schools in Denver County, CO (out of 198 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Denver County, CO?
The top-ranked public schools in Denver County, CO include Polaris Elementary School, Challenge School and Slavens K-8 School.
How many public schools are located in Denverunty?
199 public schools are located in Denverunty.
What percentage of students in Denverunty go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Denverunty are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Denverunty?
Denverunty public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public schools average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Denverunty are often viewed compared to one another?

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