2023 Best Schools Offering AP Courses in the Denver Area

• Englewood, CO•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  136 reviews

Parent: I can't believe the incredible transformation my daughter has made in her first year at Kent Denver. Her 6th grade experience continued her positive academic trajectory, in tandem with developing communication and social-emotional skills. It has been amazing to watch her build her confidence, both inside and outside of the classroom. Socially, she found friends quickly and easily (she did not know many other students), and academically, was encouraged to find her voice and self-advocate for herself. Most importantly, my daughter is happy, the happiest we've seen her, and we can't wait to see how she'll to continue to grow. I highly recommend Kent Denver!... Read 136 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 749

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Denver, CO•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  50 reviews

Freshman: CA is an incredible school with incredible people. Their balance of different curriculums through different teachers while still feeling unified is amazing, plus the freedoms that are granted through the different options you have to choose from are great. The teachers and students are great people, and even the grounds crew/custodians are very friendly. They also do an incredible job of keeping the absolutely stunning campus clean and tidy. Overall this is a great school!... Read 50 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,039

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Englewood, CO•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  116 reviews

Parent: My twin daughters have attended St. Mary's Academy since kindergarten and are now seniors in the high school. I can't say enough great things about the school! The small class sizes, nurturing environment, academics, and feeling of community is unparalleled. All the teachers have been absolutely incredible and know my kids so well. They serve as incredible mentors for the students and truly take an interest in their well-being. My daughters have developed into confident, assertive, curious and kind young adults as a result of their SMA experience. They are very well prepared for college. Unlike many high schools, the SMA high school has very little social drama and the friendships my daughters have made will undoubtedly be lifelong. As a parent, many of my best friends are fellow SMA parents. I wholeheartedly recommend St. Mary's----- I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.... Read 116 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 678

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Adams 12 Five Star Schools, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  41 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 41 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,551

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Cherry Creek School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  958 reviews

Senior: I’ve been at Creek for four years, and it couldn’t have set me up for a better future. The teachers are excellent and the opportunities are immense. My only complaint would be an over competitive culture. If you don’t end up at a top 50 school, have a weighted GPA below a 4.0, or don’t do every extra curricular on the planet, you tend to get looked down on. Kind of a toxic culture, but other than that, this school is incredible. They put so much work into strong academics and extracurricular alike, and the staff is clearly working on creating a less competitive environment. Sko’ bruins!... Read 958 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,868

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Lafayette, CO•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  27 reviews

Middle School Student: I started school in 5th grade and have loved it since. Faculty, students, and classes are great! The classes are small and usually consist of 10-20 students. Food here is AMAZING! So much better than my old public schools.... Read 27 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 530

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Boulder Valley School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  455 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 455 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,039

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Boulder Valley School District, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  457 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 457 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,453

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

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

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  257 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 257 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,132

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Aurora, CO•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  413 reviews

Alum: Was a solid college preparatory experience. VERY dominantly white, limited resources for lgbtq+ peoples; not accepting of trans identities. Solid resources for applying for colleges, counsellors were good at what they do. Teachers were mostly good with some bad apples mixed in to avoid (ask an upperclassman or alumni). Food was good when I first started but got cheaper and worse over time; they are very willing to flake out on that end. VERY high variety of clubs, whatever you want to do they most likely have it, though it's hard to get involved in the larger ones, such as robotics or theater due to large volume of students. Obviously very religious, theology classes are required and integrated into the main curriculum. Occasional mass attendance required. Bear these in mind before applying. Not for everyone, but wealthy white individuals will likely have a smooth experience. Be wary of it's general low diversity. If you care mostly about college prep, very solid pick.... Read 413 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,714

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Cherry Creek School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  621 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 621 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,908

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Boulder Valley School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  300 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 300 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,131

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  516 reviews

Senior: Rock Canyon High school has provided students with a fun and engaging culture and climate. The overall care for students well being is clearly shown through the teacher and administrators engagement with the students. There are so many clubs and activities that students can be apart of, and even if there is nothing that engages you, it is easy to create and advertise a club that you want to be apart of!... Read 516 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,366

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Denver Public Schools, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  247 reviews

Senior: My experience with DSST: Montview High School is good, as a student here since freshman year, & now a senior here. DSST: Montview High School acquires excellent academic opportunities. Amazing resources when it comes to college readiness. The college success team here is very devoted and excellent. As far as diversity, the staff could use some diversity, although, when you see the student body here, you'll see all walks of life. Activities and clubs here could use some improvement as well, since they don't really offer a lot of options for the students here.... Read 247 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 578

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Denver Public Schools, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  605 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 605 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,581

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  552 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 552 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,090

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Denver Public Schools, CO•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  267 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 267 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,099

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Highlands Ranch, CO•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  209 reviews

Alum: My experience was 5 stars. I come from a low income family, with a mother who has a major disability. However, I got wonderful financial assistance, as well as opportunities I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else. The reason I rate the diversity level low, is because the students are 80% white, lacking opportunities for people of color. Yet, the good part is, they are open to help anyone who asks! The academic level is in the top of the country. Personally, I had the opportunity to be a part of a performing arts conservatory program. This program, helped me get into some of the top Art Institutions in the country. Because of Valor, I was able to continue my performing arts education at California Institute of the Arts, also known as " The Juilliard of the West Coast".... Read 209 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,245

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Cherry Creek School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  603 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 603 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,888

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Boulder Valley School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  352 reviews

Junior: To be honest, this is your small-town, liberal school just outside of the Boulder Bubble, filled with white kids and AP classes. But it's my home, so I'll love it regardless. The thing that will make me hold it dear to my heart is undoubtedly the people. I've met so many life-changing friends through our theatre department and learned so much from the teachers. Diversity is practically nonexistant, but there's definite attempts at trying to be inclusive. The school board makes some interesting decisions, but our admin is usually great. Overall, it's your average public high school in the greatest state in the U.S. (in my entirely unbiased opinion) and I wouldn't change my experience for the world. 'Sko Yotes!... Read 352 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,580

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• 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

• Students 1,350

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

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

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  78 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 78 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,673

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  414 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 414 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,367

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  490 reviews

Senior: There are opportunities for everyone at RV. The culture is accepting and encouraging of all students. There is a large support for students from the admins and counslers. Sports at RV are amazing! The football team is a contender in the playoffs every year, solid basketball team and soccer, great track/cross country team, you name it. Performing arts is a tight knit group always allowing students to come in and out as their schedule permits. However, the school isn’t perfect, the food is subpar; all upperclassman drive off campus to get food during lunch and if underclassman are lucky they do as well. Depending on the teacher you get, you may have a very difficult time working with them or even reaching them. The school is crowded but that is to be expected with such a large population and the teachers do a good job of making time for every student. I would definitely recommend Ralston Valley if you have the opportunity to go.... Read 490 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,891

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Boulder Valley School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  280 reviews

Junior: A great school with phenomenal teachers and a supportive community. Many of the teachers here will put in extra effort to ensure student success and the school provides students of all levels with opportunities for their futures. The engineering department is great and sets students up for college, while providing the materials and overall earning very high test scores. Students have the opportunity to earn CAD modeling and other computer related certifications in school, an opportunity generally only given in college.... Read 280 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,482

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1