Summary:
The 80112 ZIP code contains 7 high schools serving roughly 3,353 students, and this is not a typical neighborhood school zone — every campus here is a public school of choice, an online program, an alternative campus, or a youth services facility rather than a traditional comprehensive high school. The schools fall under three entities: Douglas County School District No. Re 1, the State Charter School Institute, and Cherry Creek School District No. 5. They vary widely in enrollment, grade span, and demographics, making direct comparisons difficult, but several clear patterns stand out.
The academic leader is Colorado Early Colleges Douglas County, ranked #30 of 338 statewide (91st percentile) with an 88.7% graduation rate, absenteeism below the state average, and SAT Reading/Writing proficiency of 84% versus the state's 60%. The graduation standouts are eDCSD and Cherry Creek Elevation, both at 97%, though eDCSD lacks current test data and Cherry Creek Elevation's state rank fell from #35 to #107. At the other extreme, Hope Online Learning Academy County-Op ranks 336th of 338, and Endeavor Academy shows a 65.7% chronic absenteeism rate with a 60.1% graduation rate.
The overarching theme is inequality of outcomes. Online schooling alone doesn't explain results: Colorado Early Colleges Online Campus posts elite reading scores but a 65.5% graduation rate and 45.4% chronic absenteeism, while eDCSD shows strong completion and attendance but no test scores. Chronic absenteeism is a red flag — three schools exceed 40%. Data gaps at some alternative and online programs limit full comparisons, but parents weighing options should recognize this ZIP code offers starkly different experiences, from a top-10% early college charter to high-need credit recovery and virtual programs.
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