Best Public Schools in Zip Code 80203

Zip code 80203 is served by 4 schools in School District No. 1 (ranked 71st out of 115 in Colorado, 38th percentile, 2 stars): Downtown Denver Expeditionary School (elementary, K-5, 263 students) and three high schools — Emily Griffith High School, Contemporary Learning Academy, and Denver Justice High School — serving 543 students combined. There are no middle schools in this zip code.

The clear standout is Downtown Denver Expeditionary School, the only elementary school. It has the lowest poverty rate (34.2% free/reduced lunch), the lowest chronic absenteeism (25.0%, below the state's 28.4%), and the only strong test performance in the zip code — math proficiency hit 46.5% in 2024-2025, well above the district (32.9%) and state (35.9%). However, scores dropped noticeably in 2025-2026, and 3rd grade is weak (15.4% ELA, 20.5% math). At the other extreme, Emily Griffith High School posts a 14.4% graduation rate, a 35.6% dropout rate, and 94.2% chronic absenteeism — the worst metrics in the zip code. Contemporary Learning Academy and Denver Justice High School also struggle, but both have graduation rates above 33% (more than double the rate at Emily Griffith High School) and slightly lower absenteeism around 90%. Contemporary Learning Academy also showed improvement on PSAT 10 Reading/Writing, rising from 23% to 38% proficiency in one year.

The most urgent issue across the high schools is attendance: roughly 9 out of 10 students are chronically absent, and dropout rates are 14 to 22 times the state average. All three high schools have extreme poverty levels (80-94% free/reduced lunch) compared to 34% at the elementary school. Smaller schools seem to produce better outcomes — Contemporary Learning Academy and Denver Justice High School have lower student-teacher ratios and more than double the graduation rate of Emily Griffith High School — though all remain far below district (81.9%) and state (85.6%) graduation rates. This zip code represents two very different realities: a moderately performing elementary school and high schools in serious crisis. Parents with elementary-aged children have a solid option, but those with high school students may want to explore schools elsewhere.