Northeast Early College

Northeast Early College is a public high school in Denver’s northeast area serving 507 students in grades 9–12 as part of School District No. 1. The school currently ranks in the bottom 5% of Colorado high schools (320th out of 338), earning 0 stars, and has consistently ranked in the 5th–9th percentile over the past four years. This is a challenging picture for parents to see, especially since the school’s name promises a college-focused path.

Academically, proficiency rates are far below district and state averages. In 2025–2026, only 22% of 11th graders were proficient in SAT reading/writing and just 7% in SAT math, compared to 52% and 33% for the district. Nearby schools tell a starker story: Northfield High School posted 74% reading and 54% math, while DSST: Elevate Northeast High School reached 50% and 37%. Even Montbello High School, which serves a similar population, outperformed Northeast Early College on the same tests (29% reading, 16% math). PSAT results in 9th and 10th grade follow the same pattern, with math proficiency at 18% and 13% versus roughly 40% statewide.

Attendance is a major concern: 53.5% of students were chronically absent in 2024–2025, up sharply from 43.5% the prior year, and well above the district (38.1%) and state (28.4%). The graduation rate of 83.3% is above the district’s 81.9% but below the state’s 85.6%, and the dropout rate of 3.9% is more than double the state rate. The school serves a high-poverty population (85.8% free/reduced-price lunch) and has shown occasional strengths with specific student groups, including English learners, but the gap between its “early college” branding and its weak college-readiness scores is hard to ignore. For families weighing options, this data points to a school with real challenges in academics and attendance, even as it helps many students reach graduation.