2023 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Colorado

• Adams 12 Five Star Schools, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: The academics are exceptional, and for the most part the teachers are super great and helpful! Social life can be a little bit difficult because it is a small school, but I definitely found my group of people. One thing I would like to see change is the way the administration deals with bullying, harassment, and false allegations. Kids that behave this way often don’t get consequences, which doesn’t help the situation.... Read 44 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 32

• Cherry Creek School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  967 reviews

Junior: I've been enrolled here since freshman year. In my experience, the teachers are respectful and try their hardest to help their students succeed (there are some exceptions but they are rare), there are many activities and clubs are diverse, and we have no shortage of unique programs such as the EPIC Medical Careers class and other niche subjects such as horticulture and astronomy. Our school is consistently one of the best for sports, and there are some aspects that help students feel more prepared for life in college such as self scheduling and having to walk across large campuses to get to their class. Of course, there are some things that do need work; such as the fact that most students (including myself) feel overworked most of the time, especially without a block schedule (most colleges and other CC high schools have one), but in general, this school is one that will allow your student many opportunities to succeed and get the support that they need.... Read 967 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 30

• Boulder Valley School District, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  462 reviews

Senior: Peak to Peak is a very encouraging environment. As a student, I feel very prepared for college through their college prep courses and taking AP exams, as the teachers are amazing! I feel like I’ve learned so much and grown in so many skills, I really do recommend trying to go here. I think the only downside to this school is the culture of overachieving and the pressure to make grades determine your worth. I can say for certain that many students I know deal with this, even myself. Asides from that, however, everyone is very unique in their own ways, and the teachers are astounding at their work and teaching.... Read 462 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 29

• Jefferson County School District No. R-1, CO•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  259 reviews

Senior: All the teacher truly care to see success in all students. They are there to help and guild you. Everyone is there to look out for you. I find the counselors amazing as you can always go and talk to them about anything and they are there to help you no matter what. There is also a program known as SafeToTell that many students use and are able to report things they have seen, herd, or gone through and the staff then handles the situation keeping the informers identity hidden. Sports are an amazing way to get to know fellow classmates as well as release stress. Our school is pretty good with supporting our sport teams, it is a way to bond and cheer on fellow students while also representing our school. I hope to see a change in the meals. Due to understaffing meals where not as impressive as before, but hopefully that problem will be resolved next year. I am an art student and hope to see a possible raise for the art teachers spending money.... Read 259 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 31

• Boulder Valley School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  456 reviews

Senior: I have had a wonderful experience at Fairview High School and it has provided me with so many opportunities. The teachers and the community at Fairview are what make it so unique. Without the support, dedication, time, and connection I made with teachers I wouldn't be where I am today. The one thing I would change is having more opportunities to look closer at my future. It would be helpful if the school provided more speakers or learning opportunities to help students figure out what type of carrier is best suited for them. Overall, I have made so many amazing memories, friends, and I have learned so much. I am grateful to have had the privilege to go to the Fairview!... Read 456 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 30

• Douglas County School District No. RE-1, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  79 reviews

Parent: Our son is a graduating senior (2023) and we can't be happier at STEM. He was part of the first elementary class (grade 5) and has been at STEM ever since. This has allowed him to develop close friendships with peers, great relationships with teachers and staff, and a solid career path at age 17. He will actually graduate from college with an Associate's degree in Cybersecurity before he graduates from high school! This was made possible with participation in P-Tech and the Concurrent Enrollment programs. He is now well-prepared for college and for life. If your child shows propensity for engineering or technology, math or science, STEM will nurture those gifts and provide many opportunities to shine, not only through advanced classes, but also enrichment including Tech Student's Association, Computer Science Honor Society, BEST Robotics,Cyberpariot, paid internships, and more. Our son is applying to many of the country's top universities to continue his education.... Read 79 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 29

• Boulder Valley School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  304 reviews

Alum: It was pretty good! Honestly, high school always has the chance of being good or bad. The reality of the situation, is that you get to choose your outcome. If you choose the right crowd, you’ll be fine. If you choose otherwise, your experience won’t be as happy and exciting as you might have wanted. Now, everything can change. It’s ok to make mistakes, but make sure you’re learning from them. Friends come and go, what matters is focusing on yourself. What is going to be best for YOU, not anyone else. Learn to focus on yourself and aim for your own successes in life. Worry less about others and do what’s going to make you happy. Remember to always be kind to one another. If you see someone having a bad day, try to cheer them up. You never know what someone’s going through behind closed doors, and even a smile can make a big impact.... Read 304 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 29

• Denver Public Schools, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  249 reviews

Sophomore: Honestly i really like my high school experience here at DSST Mont view, they offer so many college opportunities, there's so many clubs for so many interests, sports , diversity & inclusivity, advanced classes and prepare you overall for college. I'm black and Muslim growing up I've been to 8 different schools but I've never been as accepted by my community and have as many friends as i did in this school. The only 2 things I would say is the the school and system is very controlling considering we are going into college independent, and the school doesnt have many school lunch options that are vegetarian or halal. but overall i love it here if I had to switch i wouldn't!... Read 249 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1240

• Average ACT 27

• Cherry Creek School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  622 reviews

Alum: I school of choiced to Grandview and chose not to go to my feeder high school based on where I lived, and I am so happy I did! I loved my time at Grandview, as I felt pushed academically and in my athletics endeavors. The teachers at Grandview are committed to students' success, and the whole environment and staff truly set you up well for college and life after graduation!... Read 622 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1280

• Average ACT 28

• Denver Public Schools, CO•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  270 reviews

Alum: Denver School of the Arts was overall a very enriching experience when it came to furthering my skills in the arts. The resources provided for this course of study were phenomenal. The main concerns I would raise for any incoming students are that: #1) While this school can be very beneficial for someone looking to follow the arts, it can often be difficult path for someone who has decided that the arts are not for them. Many students decide that they would rather pursue a different passion in life by the time they are seniors. This can make the highly art centered environment fairly hard to be a part of. Especially since there are no sports! #2) The school spirit is generally lacking. While there are many school sponsored events that students can attend while enrolled at DSA, many of them revolve around individual art forms. This makes it difficult for students to make friends who are studying different arts than them and isolates the different specializations... Read 270 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  185 reviews

Alum: The majority of the teachers really care about making sure that your experience at CMHS is a good one and prepares you for college/university. There is a very strong and competitive academic environment at CMHS among the students, making it very stressful at times when choosing classes or just taking classes in general. The goal is academic success, which is shown continuously, but also success among sports. The arts are not really highlighted from the school whereas the sports are continuously highlighted and praised.... Read 185 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 28

• St Vrain Valley School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  375 reviews

Senior: I moved to Niwot High School my senior year and with limitations from the pandemic, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Niwot is a very competitive school that offers various classes (IB, AP, HONORS, and GenEd) that prepare you for the university route or career path. The teachers and staff are all nice, and they prioritize the success and learning of the students. The high school carries great energy through its athletics and academics. There are many opportunities to get involved in different clubs. I wouldn't consider myself as being the most artistic person but I was exposed to many art classes. I enjoyed every second of the class and got involved in a class I wasn't comfortable doing. Go Cougars!... Read 375 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Jefferson County School District No. R-1, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  555 reviews

Senior: I have switched schools every year since fifth grade, but out of all the ones I've been to, Lakewood High School may just be my favorite. The classes are challenging, rigorous, and interesting. The teachers are empathetic, kind, and friendly. The staff cares about you, your problems, and your success. The students there are caring and accepting. At this school, I've been able to make friends and learn happily!... Read 555 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Poudre School District, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  107 reviews

Senior: Liberty is a fantastic school if you're looking for a really good education. It has an amazing faculty and course structure. It's small, so everyone knows everyone else. Everyone who goes to Liberty wants to be there, which is really nice because it creates an supportive and academic environment. The people at Liberty are really nice, and it's easy to make friends. It has a pretty good variety of classes, although most of the focus is on STEM. There isn't a big variety of art classes or languages, although there are some. The English classes at Liberty are fantastic, and possibly the best part of the whole school. However, if you want to do a lot of extra curriculars outside of school, Liberty is probably not the school for you. Time spent doing homework can range anywhere from one hour (on a good day) to four hours. It can be really hard to balance school life with just life. Liberty is a lot of work. I would say it's worth it!... Read 107 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 30

• Douglas County School District No. RE-1, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  518 reviews

Alum: I really enjoyed my time at RCHS. I had great connections in the arts departments, and learned so much. I was really impacted by so many teachers, that now, I am working towards a teaching degree!... Read 518 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 29

• Denver Public Schools, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  611 reviews

Senior: I love the community at East. The teachers are willing to help and want to see their students thrive and be successful. As a community, we talk about race and gender, and we have clubs for people from every background. If there's not a club there already, you can create one! East combines tradition and modern-day culture in a lovely blend while all the while focusing on academics. We have student-athletes, singers, writers, musicians, artists, future engineers, and mathematicians... The list is endless. Even though East is a big school, most students will be able to find a group of people that are more like them. Friendly faces are common to see in the hallways of East. East staff and students demonstrate school spirit as well - taking pride in being an East Angel.... Read 611 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1250

• Average ACT 28

• Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  118 reviews

Sophomore: The Vanguard School has an excellent array of academics, with general courses for struggling students and AP or college credit courses for students needing a challenge in any of the liberal arts. The advanced course teachers who have been at this school for a long time are the best college preparatory teachers I have seen. These teachers have helped me go from an A student in general courses to a A+ student almost all honors courses. There are not many clubs at the school because it is so small, but the clubs it has is bound to have something for everyone because they are led by a diverse group of students. That being said, the people at the school are generally respectful, despite the many backgrounds they come from. I have enjoyed the no-pressure sports of the school, which has encouraged me to improve in all my track and cross-country endeavors.... Read 118 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 29

• Boulder Valley School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  354 reviews

Alum: Monarch High School offers an exceptional academic and holistic experience for students. The faculty demonstrates an unwavering commitment to fostering a positive learning environment, providing guidance, and nurturing individual growth. The diverse range of extracurricular activities encourages students to explore their passions and develop vital life skills. The school's state-of-the-art facilities enhance the learning process, while the supportive community promotes inclusivity and camaraderie. Monarch High School's rigorous curriculum prepares students for future endeavors, ensuring they are equipped with a solid foundation of knowledge. Overall, Monarch High School excels in creating an environment where students thrive academically, socially, and personally.... Read 354 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1280

• Average ACT 28

• Poudre School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  435 reviews

Senior: I overall had a wonderful time at Fossil Ridge High School. All of the faculty are wonderful, especially the teachers. They help the experience become so much more personal, and all of them are very supportive and reach out to have a relationship with the students they teach. My only complaints is because the school is so big, counselors and deans don't have any relationship with the vast majority of students. The student culture in general is also extremely negative most of the time, although it's pretty easy to find nice friends since there's so many new people to meet. If I could give any advice to the administration, I would say to become more organized with communication, schedules, and cleanliness, and to reach out to try to have a relationship with the students. I'll cherish the time that I spent at Fossil and I wouldn't change it for the world.... Read 435 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Jefferson County School District No. R-1, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  287 reviews

Sophomore: Evergreen was a very nice school. It was a good size, about 1000 students, so all the students were familiar with each other. The teachers were all very involved with their students' success, in and out of school. It has very many good programs, and their theater is exceptional. Definitely am glad that I was able to attend such a great school!... Read 287 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Poudre School District, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  77 reviews

Sophomore: Ridgeview is a wonderful school that allows a student to be challenged. Although homework and stress levels were originally a major problem, Ridgeview's faculty has become much more reasonable in assigning homework and moderating students' workloads. Communication around the school has also improved drastically and students have learned to become comfortable talking to teachers about stress levels and whether they are assigning immense amounts of homework. The faculty overall is amazing...they are caring and extremely understanding. The school however still challenges you and pushes you past your comfort zone. Previously, complaints were often ignored and students' opinions were neglected, however this has become a much less severe problem. Ridgeview Classical Schools overall is a great school.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 29

• Poudre School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  367 reviews

Senior: Great school with lots of opportunities. The music program is excellent and there are a lot of opportunities to get involved. Students are supportive of each other and the school fosters a caring environment. The administration could improve, there are some policies that are not effective in disciplining students. Most teachers are awesome and find ways to connect with students. There are clubs, sports, and activities for anyone who wants to be involved. There is also an excellent work-based learning program for students who want to get credit for their jobs, but support for students applying to college is very limited (counselors are not trained, and there are very basic seminars available to students for applications). This school is the oldest school in Fort Collins, and so there is a lot of history and traditions.... Read 367 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1240

• Average ACT 28

• Adams 12 Five Star Schools, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  67 reviews

Junior: I have really enjoyed going here! The school is very small, which gives students more one-on-one time with teachers. The school is a college prep school which is very helpful for preparing to go to college. The students are so kind and the community is great!... Read 67 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Average SAT 1250

• Average ACT 29

• Cherry Creek School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  611 reviews

Sophomore: Cherokee Trail is the best high school. We just finished an awesome homecoming week and CT spirit was amazing. There are so many resources, so you never feel like you don't have anyone to talk to or feel like you can't get help, because you can. The teachers are so nice and they're actually good a getting the message across. They are even one of the schools that have an International Baccalaureate program (IB). They also offer AP, Honors, and CE courses, to challenge yourself. There are so many clubs and activities you can get involved in, there really is something for everyone. Everyone is able to go off campus during lunch and on our off periods. Cherokee Trail is in a really great school district in Colorado. CT is the place to be!... Read 611 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Average SAT 1240

• Average ACT 26

• Douglas County School District No. RE-1, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  421 reviews

Senior: I have been impressed with the types of classes that Mountain Vista offers. I have had the opportunity to take many classes that offer dual-credit at the college level. I will be able to enter college with over a semester of college credit classes, in english, math, history and business. The teachers at Mountain Vista are awesome. They truly care and want to help you succeed! Mountain Vista is the best.... Read 421 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Average SAT 1250

• Average ACT 28