Top 10 Public High Schools in Denver in 2027

1DSST Montview High School

DSST Montview ranks first because it pairs a graduation rate above 90% with a reported record of 100% of graduates earning college acceptance. The Denver Public Schools charter enrolls several hundred students in grades 9-12 and runs a college-prep STEM core with daily advisory. Admission is by open lottery for all Denver families, so access is not tied to an attendance-zone mortgage.

It suits college-bound students who want STEM rigor and are willing to enter a lottery rather than buy into a zone. It trades elective breadth for a smaller school and a focused mission, so students chasing niche arts or athletics may find less. Cherry Creek, directly below, offers 25+ AP courses and roughly 3,600 students, while DSST wins on college-acceptance consistency and growth scores.

2Cherry Creek High School

Cherry Creek takes second as the value champion: a graduation rate around 94% and more than 25 AP courses, all tuition-free to zoned families in the Cherry Creek School District. The Greenwood Village school enrolls roughly 3,600 students, and its scale funds deep athletics, arts, counseling, and college-prep resources. Outcomes per dollar are hard to beat for families already living in the zone.

It is built for families who want a large comprehensive school with a wide course catalog and strong all-around programming. It gives up small classes and guaranteed access unless you live in the attendance zone, where housing carries a premium. DSST Montview above it wins on college-acceptance consistency and lottery access; Cherry Creek beats DSST Stapleton below on AP depth and resources.

3DSST Stapleton Central Park High School

DSST Stapleton, now Central Park, ranks third on the strength of the DSST network's college-prep STEM model, a graduation rate above 90%, and growth scores among the metro's best. The central Denver charter runs a rigorous core, daily advisory, and a character-focused culture that prepares students for selective colleges. Like all DSST campuses, admission is by open lottery.

It fits students who want proven college-prep rigor in a central Denver location and will accept lottery uncertainty. The STEM emphasis may not suit every learner, and the smaller campus limits elective variety. Cherry Creek above it offers far more courses and automatic zoned access; DSST Central Park beats Boulder High below on college-acceptance consistency and lottery-based open access.

4Boulder High School

Boulder High ranks fourth as the metro's best IB-plus-AP comprehensive option, with a graduation rate around 92% and roughly 2,000 students in the Boulder Valley School District. It offers a respected International Baccalaureate program alongside a broad AP catalog, plus strong sciences, arts, and humanities. Proximity to CU Boulder supports college matriculation and dual-enrollment-style opportunities.

It suits academically ambitious families who want an IB diploma path inside a comprehensive school. It trades away affordability, since Boulder housing costs are high, and the academic environment is demanding. DSST Central Park above it wins on college-acceptance consistency and lottery access; Boulder High beats Fairview below on IB availability and breadth across humanities and arts.

5Fairview High School

Fairview ranks fifth for STEM, with a graduation rate around 93%, about 2,100 students, and consistently high AP participation in south Boulder. Its science research, math, and robotics teams compete at state and national levels, and graduates matriculate to selective universities. Boulder Valley resources fund extensive electives and activities on top of the STEM core.

It is for STEM-leaning students who want competitive academics and team-based science outside the classroom. It trades away a relaxed pace and affordability, since academic pressure is intense and the attendance zone is expensive. Boulder High above it offers an IB diploma and broader humanities; Fairview beats Cherokee Trail below on STEM competition teams and selective-university matriculation.

6Cherokee Trail High School

Cherokee Trail ranks sixth as a balanced Cherry Creek district option, pairing a full International Baccalaureate program with a deep AP catalog and a graduation rate around 92%. The Aurora school enrolls roughly 3,000 students and offers well-regarded athletics, performing arts, and STEM. District funding supports experienced faculty and extensive counseling resources.

It suits families who want IB rigor plus big-school activities and Cherry Creek resources without moving to Greenwood Village. It trades away small classes, and the full IB diploma workload is demanding. Fairview above it wins on STEM competition teams and selective-university matriculation; Cherokee Trail beats Denver East below on graduation rate and district funding depth.

7Denver East High School

Denver East ranks seventh as the city's largest comprehensive high school, enrolling roughly 2,500 students in a historic central Denver building with a graduation rate around 85%. It offers an International Baccalaureate program, a broad AP catalog, and an exceptionally diverse student body. Arts, journalism, and athletics are longstanding strengths, with deep community engagement.

It is for families who want size, variety, and a central location inside Denver Public Schools rather than a suburban zone. It trades away top-tier graduation rates, which trail the suburban picks, and the scale can feel impersonal. Cherokee Trail above it wins on graduation rate and district resources; Denver East beats Rock Canyon below on IB availability, diversity, and central Denver access.

8Rock Canyon High School

Rock Canyon ranks eighth for dependable all-around outcomes, with a graduation rate around 95%, high AP participation, and about 2,200 students in Highlands Ranch. Douglas County School District funding supports competitive athletics, STEM clubs, and performing arts. College matriculation is strong and consistent across the student body.

It fits Douglas County families who want strong academics and athletics without a specialized magnet or IB program. It trades away program specialization, and popular electives fill quickly. Denver East above it offers IB and a central location; Rock Canyon beats Niwot below on graduation rate and the breadth of a large comprehensive campus.

9Niwot High School

Niwot ranks ninth for its selective STEM Academy, a project-based program with industry partnerships and advanced coursework in science, engineering, and math. The St. Vrain Valley school enrolls about 1,400 students, reports a graduation rate around 93%, and posts high AP participation. Its smaller size gives it a distinctive, focused community.

It is for engineering-bound students who want a specialized academy inside a smaller school north of Boulder. It trades away breadth, since the AP catalog is smaller than the largest comprehensives and STEM Academy admission is competitive. Rock Canyon above it wins on graduation rate and comprehensive breadth; Niwot beats Smoky Hill below on specialized STEM programming and smaller enrollment.

10Smoky Hill High School

Smoky Hill ranks tenth as an accessible IB option inside the Cherry Creek School District, enrolling roughly 2,500 students in Centennial with a graduation rate around 88%. It offers a full International Baccalaureate program, strong STEM and global-studies offerings, competitive athletics, and a notably diverse student body. District funding and counseling resources support advanced-course participation.

It is for families who want an IB diploma in a top district without the highest zone premiums. It trades away top-of-district graduation rates and small classes, since enrollment is large. Niwot above it wins on specialized STEM programming and smaller size; Smoky Hill beats no one below, but its IB access and diversity make it a strong final pick.

How we ranked these

We weighted six factors using publicly reported data from U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, the Colorado Department of Education, and district sources. Academic performance (test scores, AP/IB participation) counted 25%, college and post-grad outcomes 20%, value and cost 15%, teachers and resources 15%, environment and safety 15%, and extracurriculars and fit 10%. Schools that posted strong scores but graduated few students, or traded on reputation with thin programs, dropped quickly.

We deliberately ignored marketing claims, building age, and single-number ranking positions, because none of those predict whether a specific student thrives. We also excluded private schools, magnet-only programs outside the metro, and any school without verifiable public outcome data. Average test scores alone were down-weighted, since a school can post high averages while serving only a narrow slice of its students well.

What to look for

Between these schools, the real differentiators are program fit and access, not rank order. A DSST campus requires a lottery seat, Niwot's STEM Academy is selective, and comprehensive schools like Cherry Creek, Boulder, and Rock Canyon serve zoned families automatically. Check graduation rate, AP or IB participation across the whole student body, counseling ratios, and climate data before you fall in love with a name.

The mistake most buyers make is chasing a single ranking number or the newest building while ignoring whether their student can actually enroll and will fit the culture. A STEM-focused student may do better at Fairview or Niwot than at a higher-ranked comprehensive school. Confirm attendance boundaries, lottery deadlines, and program application dates early, because housing decisions and enrollment windows are hard to reverse.

Related questions

How do I enroll in a Denver public high school outside my attendance zone?

Denver Public Schools and most metro districts run open-enrollment windows, usually opening in winter for the following fall. You apply through the district portal, and seats depend on space and priorities. Charter campuses like DSST use a separate lottery. Deadlines vary by district, so confirm dates with DPS, Cherry Creek, Boulder Valley, or Douglas County directly.

Is DSST: Montview really free to attend?

Yes. DSST campuses are public charter schools within Denver Public Schools, so there is no tuition. Families apply through an open lottery rather than buying into an attendance zone. That makes it one of the few routes to a rigorous college-prep STEM program without a housing premium, though seats are not guaranteed and waitlists are common.

What is the difference between IB and AP programs?

AP offers individual college-level courses you can take à la carte, while IB's diploma is a structured two-year program with required subjects, essays, and service hours. Boulder High, Cherokee Trail, and Smoky Hill offer IB; Cherry Creek and Rock Canyon lean heavily on AP. The better choice depends on whether your student wants flexibility or a cohort-based curriculum.

Which Denver-area district has the strongest public high schools overall?

Cherry Creek and Boulder Valley consistently rank at the top, with Douglas County and St. Vrain Valley close behind in the surrounding metro. Cherry Creek offers deep resources across multiple campuses, while Boulder Valley pairs strong academics with CU Boulder proximity. District strength matters, but individual school fit and program access still outweigh the district label.

Do I need to live in Boulder to attend Boulder High or Fairview?

Generally yes, unless you secure open enrollment through Boulder Valley School District, which depends on space and is not guaranteed. Housing in those attendance zones carries a significant premium. Families weighing the tradeoff should compare the cost of moving against lottery-based options like DSST or selective programs like Niwot's STEM Academy.

How competitive is Niwot's STEM Academy admission?

Niwot's STEM Academy is a selective program within St. Vrain Valley Schools, so admission is competitive and separate from general enrollment. Applicants typically submit applications and may need prior coursework in math and science. It suits engineering-bound students who want project-based learning and industry partnerships in a smaller school setting.

What graduation rate should I look for in a Denver public high school?

The strongest schools on this list report rates between 92% and 95%, while Denver East and Smoky Hill sit closer to 85% to 88%. A high rate signals consistent outcomes across the student body, not just top performers. Compare rates alongside college matriculation and advanced-course participation, since graduation alone does not capture rigor.

Are charter schools like DSST held to the same standards as district schools?

Yes. Colorado charter schools are public schools that must meet state accountability requirements, including testing, graduation reporting, and CDE performance frameworks. DSST campuses appear in the same state and federal data as district schools. The main difference is governance and lottery-based admission rather than attendance-zone enrollment.

FAQ

Which public high school is the best in the Denver area?

DSST: Montview earns the top spot for its long record of 100% college acceptance, a graduation rate above 90%, strong STEM focus, and open lottery admission for all Denver families. Cherry Creek High School is the strongest comprehensive alternative, with a 94% graduation rate and a 25-plus course AP catalog.

What is the best value public high school in Denver?

Cherry Creek High School is our best value, delivering an AP catalog of more than 25 courses, a graduation rate around 94%, and deep athletics and arts tuition-free to every zoned family. Its scale funds counseling and electives that smaller schools cannot match, though classes are larger.

Which Denver public high school is best for STEM?

Fairview High School in Boulder Valley and the DSST charter campuses lead for STEM, with strong science research, math, and robotics programs. Niwot's STEM Academy is the top specialized option, offering project-based learning and industry partnerships in a smaller school north of Boulder.

Do the top Denver public high schools require an application?

The DSST charter campuses use an open lottery, and Niwot's STEM Academy is selective, while comprehensive schools like Cherry Creek, Boulder High, and Rock Canyon serve students in their attendance zones. Open-enrollment windows exist in most districts but depend on available space.

Which Denver-area district has the best public high schools?

The Cherry Creek School District and Boulder Valley School District consistently rank highest, joined by strong Douglas County and St. Vrain Valley schools in the surrounding metro. Cherry Creek offers depth across multiple campuses, while Boulder Valley pairs rigorous academics with University of Colorado Boulder proximity.

Is an IB or AP program better in Denver public schools?

Both are excellent. Boulder High, Cherokee Trail, and Smoky Hill offer the structured IB diploma, while Cherry Creek and Rock Canyon offer deep AP catalogs. The right fit depends on whether a student prefers a cohort-based two-year curriculum or flexible individual college-level courses.

How large are the largest Denver public high schools?

Cherry Creek enrolls roughly 3,600 students, Cherokee Trail about 3,000, and Denver East and Smoky Hill around 2,500 each. Large size means bigger classes but also broader electives, athletics, and counseling resources. Smaller schools like Niwot, at about 1,400, offer tighter communities with fewer offerings.

What should I check beyond a school's ranking?

Look at graduation and college-going rates, AP or IB participation across the whole student body, teacher stability, counseling ratios, and school climate data. Confirm attendance boundaries, lottery deadlines, and program application dates. Program fit and a supportive teacher relationship affect outcomes more than any headline ranking number.

Are these Denver public high schools free to attend?

Yes. Every school on this list is a public or public charter school, so there is no tuition. Cost differences show up indirectly through housing prices in attendance zones like Boulder, Cherry Creek, and Highlands Ranch, or through lottery and application processes rather than fees.

How often do these rankings change?

Rankings shift gradually as graduation rates, test scores, and college outcomes update each year. A single year of data rarely reshuffles the top tier. Families should treat any ranking as a starting filter, then verify current figures directly with the Colorado Department of Education and each district before deciding.

Sources

• https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/colorado
• https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-public-high-schools/m/denver-metro-area/
• https://www.greatschools.org/colorado/denver/
• https://www.cde.state.co.us/
• https://www.dpsk12.org/
• https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/
• https://www.bvsd.org/
• https://www.dcsdk12.org/

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