For the 2024-25 school year, there are 38 alternative public elementary schools serving 5,691 students in Colorado.
The top ranked alternative public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Colorado public elementary school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 43% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public elementary school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Elementary Schools in Colorado (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Delta Academy Of Applied Learning
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Magnet School
Charter School
Magnet 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
| 348 students
Rank: #33.
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 386 students
Rank: #44.
Pueblo Youth Service Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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: #55.
North Conejos Alternative Program
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 32 students
Rank: #66.
Vail Ski And Snowboard Academy (Vssa)
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 259 students
Rank: #77.
Prairie Vista Youth Service Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 26 students
Rank: #88.
Monte Vista On-line Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 85 students
Rank: #9 - 129. - 12.
Justice High Charter School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Charter School
Magnet 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
| 102 students
Rank: #9 - 129. - 12.
Lookout Mountain
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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: #9 - 129. - 12.
Mount View Youth Services Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7862 West Mansfield Parkway
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 866-6600
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 866-6600
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: #9 - 129. - 12.
Prep Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 50 students
Rank: #1313.
Spring Creek Youth Services Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3190 East Las Vegas
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 329-6924
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 329-6924
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: #1414.
Dual Immersion Academy School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
552 A West Main Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6070
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6070
Grades: PK-5
| 300 students
Rank: #1515.
Marvin W Foote Youth Services
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13500 East Fremont Place
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 768-7596
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 768-7596
Grades: 5-12
| 40 students
Rank: #1616.
Tiger Trades Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1401 East 6th Stree
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 363-1504
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 363-1504
Grades: 5-12
| 118 students
Rank: #1717.
Destinations Career Academy Of Colorado
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
8601 Turnpike Dr. Suite 100
Westminster, CO 80031
(303) 128-6266
Westminster, CO 80031
(303) 128-6266
Grades: 6-12
| 375 students
Rank: #1818.
Jeffco Virtual Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1829 Denver West Drive Bldg #2
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Grades: 6-12
| 339 students
Rank: #1919.
Pathways Future Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
550 E. 124th Avenue
Thornton, CO 80241
(720) 972-4723
Thornton, CO 80241
(720) 972-4723
Grades: 6-12
| 390 students
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Academy Of Las Animas Online School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2001 Lake Ave
Pueblo, CO 81004
(800) 808-0718
Pueblo, CO 81004
(800) 808-0718
Grades: 6-12
| 331 students
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Connections Learning Center On The Earle Johnson C
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1200 Johnson Road
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7004
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7004
Grades: 6-9
| 23 students
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Innovations & Options
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
830 Bridge Street
Brighton, CO 80601
(303) 655-2850
Brighton, CO 80601
(303) 655-2850
Grades: 6-12
| 216 students
Rank: #2323.
Achieve Online
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2115 Afton Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3000
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3000
Grades: 6-12
| 354 students
Rank: #2424.
Mountview Youth Service Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
7862 West Mansfield Parkway
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 987-4575
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 987-4575
Grades: 5-12
| 14 students
Rank: #2525.
70 Online
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
301 Lane 28
Pueblo, CO 81001
(719) 295-6518
Pueblo, CO 81001
(719) 295-6518
Grades: K-12
| 163 students
Rank: #2626.
Summit Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5590 W Evans Ave.
Denver, CO 80227
(720) 424-2400
Denver, CO 80227
(720) 424-2400
Grades: 6-12
| 220 students
Rank: #2727.
Poudre Community Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2540 Laporte Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 490-3295
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 490-3295
Grades: 6-12
| 268 students
Rank: #2828.
Denver Center For 21st-century Learning At Wyman
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1690 Williams Street
Denver, CO 80218
(720) 424-2980
Denver, CO 80218
(720) 424-2980
Grades: 6-12
| 146 students
Rank: #29 - 3129. - 31.
Nikola Tesla Education Opportunity Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3302 Alpine Place
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3100
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3100
Grades: 6-12
| 252 students
Rank: #29 - 3129. - 31.
Vantage Point
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
10900 Huron Street
Denver, CO 80234
(720) 972-5800
Denver, CO 80234
(720) 972-5800
Grades: 6-12
| 343 students
Rank: #29 - 3129. - 31.
Vista Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4800 Telluride Street Bldg. 6
Denver, CO 80249
(720) 423-7650
Denver, CO 80249
(720) 423-7650
Grades: 6-12
| 234 students
Rank: #3232.
Allies
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
6275 Bridlespur Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80922
(719) 495-1100
Colorado Springs, CO 80922
(719) 495-1100
Grades: 2-5
| 124 students
Rank: n/an/a
Alamosa Alternative Education School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
209 Victoria Ave
Alamosa, CO 81101
(719) 587-7640
Alamosa, CO 81101
(719) 587-7640
Grades: 6-12
| 43 students
Rank: n/an/a
Betty K Marler Youth Services Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
7862 West Mansfield Parkway
Denver, CO 80235
(720) 220-1246
Denver, CO 80235
(720) 220-1246
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Gilliam School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
2844 Downing
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 294-8930
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 294-8930
Grades: 5-12
| 19 students
Show 3 more Alternative public schools in Colorado (out of 38 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public elementary schools in Colorado?
The top ranked alternative public elementary schools in Colorado include Delta Academy Of Applied Learning, Horizons K-8 School and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in Colorado?
38 alternative public elementary schools are located in Colorado.
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Colorado alternative public elementary schools minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public elementary schools average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
