Denver's Best Public High Schools
As the lead-in to college or a role in the country's workforce, high school is one of the most intensive and important times in a child's educational development. From Jeffco to Littleton to Cherry Creek, Denver's top schools regularly put out some of the highest overall test scores in the state and offer some of the region's best athletics and extra-curricular school clubs.
1. D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School
Grades: 7-12Feeder school: Dennison Elementary School
While most of the student body of D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School in Lakewood comes from the local elementary school, D'Evelyn also accepts other district students by lottery. A broad variety of Advanced Placement classes in the Jeffco school district campus allow high school students to begin working for college credit and provide a challenging curriculum for all students. At D'Evelyn, the percentage of students ranking at advanced or proficient levels in the state-mandated CSAP tests is consistently one of the highest in the state.
2. Cherry Creek High School
Grades: 9-12Feeder schools: Campus Middle School, West Middle School
One of the best and most rigorous academics programs in the area exists at Cherry Creek High School of the Cherry Creek School District. Beyond its strong academics standard, Cherry Creek is also nationally renowned for its top-notch athletics, winning state and national rankings in many sports. Cherry Creek also has garnered numerous awards in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including forensics, performing arts, creative writing and business clubs.
3. Heritage High School
Grades: 9-12Feeder schools: Euclid Middle School, Goddard Middle School, Powell Middle School
Strong academics and thriving athletics programs make Heritage High School one of Littleton Public Schools's top educational facilities. Departments across the board, from theater to business to foreign languages, consistently draw awards and special commendations both on a district and a state level.
4. Arapahoe High School
Grades: 9-12Feeder schools: Newton Middle School, Powell Middle School
High scores on statewide school assessment tests by Arapahoe High School students result from the school's focus on offering both traditional curricula and a variety of enthralling elective courses. While the lineup of classes is challenging to students of all abilities, there is also time within the course of the week set aside for individual study or meetings with teachers for specialized instruction. Emulating the methods and structures used in a college environment, this Littleton Public School district facilty helps students learn methods of effective time management and get used to rigorous academic standards.
5. Ralston Valley High School
Grades: 9-12Feeder schools: Coal Creek K-8, Drake Middle School, Oberon Middle School
Superior standardized test results from students and glowing accountability reports for the staff at Ralston Valley High School have made it a premier high school in the Jeffco Public Schools district. Athletics are a major focus at Ralston Valley, and the teams have garnered many awards and trophies in a broad spectrum of sporting events.
