Colorado is the #18 largest school system in the United States, serving 870,790 students across the 1,932 public schools for the 2024-25 school year (there are 532 private schools, serving 74,086 students). 92% of all K-12 students in Colorado attend public schools, compared to the national average of 89%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Colorado is 32%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 45%.
The top-ranked public schools in Colorado are Polaris Elementary School, The Vanguard School (High), and Dennison Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 49%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student:teacher ratio is 16:1.
Student by Ethnicity
(CO) School Average
American Indian
1%
Asian
3%
Hispanic
35%
Black
5%
White
51%
Two or more races
5%
Top Ranked Public Schools in Colorado (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Polaris Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-5
410 Park Avenue West
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-7860
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-7860
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
The Vanguard School (High)
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1832 South Wahsatch
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 471-1999
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 471-1999
Rank: #33.
Dennison Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
401 Independence Street
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 982-6382
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 982-6382
Rank: #44.
Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
11661 North Pine Drive
Parker, CO 80138
(303) 840-7070
Parker, CO 80138
(303) 840-7070
Rank: #55.
Summit Middle Charter School
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
4655 Hanover Avenue
Boulder, CO 80305
(720) 561-3900
Boulder, CO 80305
(720) 561-3900
Rank: #66.
High Peaks Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
3995 East Aurora Avenue
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-6500
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-6500
Rank: #77.
Challenge School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (Top 1%)
Reading: 88% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-8
9659 East Mississippi Avenue
Denver, CO 80231
(720) 747-2100
Denver, CO 80231
(720) 747-2100
Rank: #88.
Aurora Quest K-8
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (Top 1%)
Reading: 88% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
472 South Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 343-3664
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 343-3664
Rank: #99.
Slavens K-8 School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
3000 South Clayton Street
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-4150
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-4150
Rank: #1010.
Zach Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
3715 Kechter Road
Fort Collins, CO 80528
(970) 488-5100
Fort Collins, CO 80528
(970) 488-5100
Best Colorado Public Schools by County (2024-25)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Colorado?
The top-ranked public schools in Colorado include Polaris Elementary School, The Vanguard School (High), and Dennison Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Colorado?
1,932 public schools are located in Colorado.
What percentage of students in Colorado go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Colorado attend public schools (compared to the national average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Minority enrollment in Colorado is 49%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Colorado are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Colorado include: Severance High School vs. Windsor High School, Widefield High School vs. Mesa Ridge High School, Centauri High School vs. Alamosa High School
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