North High School

North High School is a large comprehensive high school in Denver, CO, serving 1,653 students in grades 9-12 as part of School District No. 1. The school serves a predominantly low-income population — 62.6% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. While its state ranking (279th out of 338 schools, earning a 1-star rating) places it in the bottom tier of Colorado high schools, this single ranking doesn't tell the whole story. The school's performance is a study in contrasts, with real strengths in keeping students on track to graduate, but significant challenges in academic proficiency.

The standout bright spot is graduation. North High School graduates 90.8% of its students — well above the district (81.9%) and state (85.6%) averages. Its dropout rate of 2.2% is also lower than the district average of 3.2%. Nearby, the contrast is stark: Emily Griffith High School graduates just 14.4% of its students, Colorado High School Charter 26.6%, and RiseUp Community School 48.1%. Even West High School, the nearest comparable traditional high school, graduates only 82.0% of its students — nearly nine points lower than North. Chronic absenteeism (44.4%) is a genuine concern, though it's far better than West High School's 59.6% and dramatically better than the alternative schools surrounding North, several of which exceed 88%.

The biggest weakness is academic proficiency, particularly in math and science. Only 21% of 11th graders are proficient in SAT math, and 11% are proficient in science — both well below state averages. Reading scores are closer to par, at 40% proficient. Interestingly, North's test scores actually outperform Career Education Center Early College, a nearby early-college program with a higher graduation rate, in most subjects. There are also notable achievement gaps between student groups: low-income students and students with disabilities score in the bottom percentiles statewide, and gifted students have seen sharp declines. Yet for a school of its size serving a diverse, high-need population, North is a relative anchor of stability — its challenge now is translating strong graduation outcomes into stronger classroom results.