Top 10 Best Colorado Public Schools (2025)

Colorado is the #19 largest school system in the United States, serving 867,675 students across the 1,916 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 506 private schools, serving 73,127 students). 92% of all K-12 students in Colorado attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Colorado is 32%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 45%.
Minority enrollment is 50%, 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
36%
Black
5%
White
50%
Two or more races
5%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Colorado.

Top Ranked Public Schools in Colorado (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Polaris Elementary School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-5
410 Park Avenue West
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-7860
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
The Vanguard School (High)
Charter School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1832 South Wahsatch
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 471-1999
Rank: #33.
Dennison Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
401 Independence Street
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 982-6382
Rank: #44.
Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
11661 North Pine Drive
Parker, CO 80138
(303) 840-7070
Rank: #55.
Summit Middle Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 82% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
4655 Hanover Avenue
Boulder, CO 80305
(720) 561-3900
Rank: #66.
High Peaks Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
3995 East Aurora Avenue
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-6500
Rank: #77.
Challenge School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 83% (Top 1%)
Reading: 88% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-8
9659 East Mississippi Avenue
Denver, CO 80231
(720) 747-2100
Rank: #88.
Aurora Quest K-8
(Math: 82% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 82% (Top 1%)
Reading: 88% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
472 South Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 343-3664
Rank: #99.
Slavens K-8 School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 80% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
3000 South Clayton Street
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-4150
Rank: #1010.
Zach Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
3715 Kechter Road
Fort Collins, CO 80528
(970) 488-5100

Best Colorado Public Schools by County (2025)

County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
154
81,177
70%
173
111,552
62%
11
637
23%
87
45,107
34%
12
2,458
19%
10
1,536
53%
17
4,489
30%
199
88,864
74%
93
62,527
31%
26
8,135
57%
245
117,012
47%
13
2,623
18%
13
4,720
23%
29
10,880
56%
6
1,695
25%
168
83,228
37%
24
7,074
34%
93
46,262
30%
13
2,630
27%
53
21,194
30%
7
1,915
32%
18
6,362
43%
18
5,945
60%
15
3,000
56%
8
1,316
21%
5
1,554
18%
11
2,198
61%
65
31,883
64%
13
3,301
20%
9
3,570
45%
7
1,933
20%
114
59,316
54%
9
1,804
44%

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?
1,916 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 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Minority enrollment in Colorado is 50%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Colorado are often viewed compared to one another?

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