For the 2025 school year, there are 114 alternative public schools serving 23,634 students in Colorado.
The top ranked alternative public 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 schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Colorado public school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Schools in Colorado (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Delta Academy Of Applied Learning
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
822 Grand Ave
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-0835
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-0835
Grades: 5-8
| 25 students
Rank: #22.
Horizons K-8 School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4545 Sioux Drive
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-5580
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-5580
Grades: K-8
| 361 students
Rank: #33.
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Alternative School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1905 Orchard Place
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 488-8260
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 488-8260
Grades: K-12
| 390 students
Rank: #44.
Odyssey Early College And Career Options
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2115 Afton Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3009
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3009
Grades: 9-12
| 316 students
Rank: #55.
Pueblo Youth Service Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1406 West 17th Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 253-6025
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 253-6025
Grades: 4-12
| 18 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Byron Syring Delta Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
345 Prospect
Monte Vista, CO 81144
(719) 852-2212
Monte Vista, CO 81144
(719) 852-2212
Grades: 9-12
| 51 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Longview High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
13301 West 2nd Place
Denver, CO 80228
(303) 982-8523
Denver, CO 80228
(303) 982-8523
Grades: 9-12
| 25 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
North Conejos Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
635 Main Street
La Jara, CO 81140
(719) 274-4220
La Jara, CO 81140
(719) 274-4220
Grades: K-12
| 34 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Prairie Creek High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1983 Monroe Street
Strasburg, CO 80136
(303) 622-6328
Strasburg, CO 80136
(303) 622-6328
Grades: 9-12
| 11 students
Rank: #1010.
Vail Ski And Snowboard Academy (Vssa)
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1 Academy Loop
Minturn, CO 81645
(970) 328-2832
Minturn, CO 81645
(970) 328-2832
Grades: 5-12
| 291 students
Rank: #1111.
Yampa Valley High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
325 7th Street
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
(970) 871-3196
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
(970) 871-3196
Grades: 9-12
| 36 students
Rank: #1212.
Prairie Vista Youth Service Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
192 Bromley Business Parkway
Brighton, CO 80603
(303) 659-4450
Brighton, CO 80603
(303) 659-4450
Grades: 4-12
| 31 students
Rank: #1313.
Monte Vista On-line Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
345 East Prospect
Monte Vista, CO 81144
(719) 852-2212
Monte Vista, CO 81144
(719) 852-2212
Grades: 4-12
| 56 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Career Readiness Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2883 South Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 579-2580
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 579-2580
Grades: 9-12
| 85 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Chaffee County High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
613 East Main Street
Buena Vista, CO 81211
(719) 395-4064
Buena Vista, CO 81211
(719) 395-4064
Grades: 7-12
| 12 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Colorado High School Charter - Ges
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3093 E 42nd Ave
Denver, CO 80216
(720) 524-8664
Denver, CO 80216
(720) 524-8664
Grades: 9-12
| 189 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Community Prep Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
332 East Willamette Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 227-8836
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 227-8836
Grades: 9-12
| 167 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Compassion Road Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1000 Cherokee Street
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 424-2200
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 424-2200
Grades: 9-12
| 89 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Denver Justice High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 E. 9th Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 480-5610
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 480-5610
Grades: 9-12
| 107 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Discovery High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
701 Widefield Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80911
(719) 391-3121
Colorado Springs, CO 80911
(719) 391-3121
Grades: 9-12
| 62 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Durango Big Picture High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
150 Tech Center Dr
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Grades: 9-12
| 91 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Harold Ferguson High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1811 W 15th St
Loveland, CO 80538
(970) 613-5300
Loveland, CO 80538
(970) 613-5300
Grades: 9-12
| 154 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Horizons Exploratory Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
310 E 9th Street
Salida, CO 81201
(719) 530-5252
Salida, CO 81201
(719) 530-5252
Grades: 9-12
| 38 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Justice High Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
805 Excalibur
Lafayette, CO 80026
(720) 935-1337
Lafayette, CO 80026
(720) 935-1337
Grades: 6-12
| 103 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Lincoln High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
230 Walnut Street
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
(970) 867-2924
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
(970) 867-2924
Grades: 9-12
| 39 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Lookout Mountain
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2901 Ford Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Montbello Career And Technical High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4501 Airport Way
Denver, CO 80239
(720) 423-7200
Denver, CO 80239
(720) 423-7200
Grades: 9-12
| 133 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Mount View Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7862 West Mansfield Parkway
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 987-4525
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 987-4525
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
New America School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5806 W Alameda Ave
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 894-3171
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 894-3171
Grades: 9-12
| 81 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
New Legacy Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2091 North Dayton Street
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 340-7880
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 340-7880
Grades: 9-12
| 96 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Prep Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2727 Columbine Street
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-8451
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-8451
Grades: 6-12
| 41 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Respect Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2285 South Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219
(720) 423-5228
Denver, CO 80219
(720) 423-5228
Grades: 9-12
| 106 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
San Juan Mountain School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 South 8th Street
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
(970) 264-2231
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
(970) 264-2231
Grades: 9-12
| 45 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Soar Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4107 S. Federal Blvd.
Englewood, CO 80110
(720) 833-6797
Englewood, CO 80110
(720) 833-6797
Grades: 9-12
| 88 students
Rank: #14 - 3514. - 35.
Southwest Open Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 North Dolores Road
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-1150
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-1150
Grades: 9-12
| 134 students
Show 79 more Alternative public schools in Colorado (out of 114 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public schools in Colorado?
The top ranked alternative public schools in Colorado include Delta Academy Of Applied Learning, Horizons K-8 School and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School.
How many alternative public schools are located in Colorado?
114 alternative public schools are located in Colorado.
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Colorado alternative public schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public schools average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
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