Schools in Zip Code 80204

Zip code 80204 in Denver contains 13 schools — 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools — all part of School District No. 1, a district ranked in the 38th percentile statewide, serving roughly 3,759 students in an area where about 80% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and chronic absenteeism averages 51.6%, nearly double the state rate of 28.4%. Most schools in this zip code rank in the bottom quarter of Colorado, with seven of the thirteen schools in the bottom 5% or lacking recent ranking data.

The clear standout is Girls Athletic Leadership School Middle School, ranked in the 83rd percentile with a 4-star rating and the only school in the zip code with chronic absenteeism below the state average. Its ELA proficiency is 69.8% and math is 48.1%, both far above state averages. Denver Center for International Studies is the strongest high school, with a 94.4% graduation rate and the lowest dropout rate (1.5%) in the area. Colfax Elementary is the best elementary option, with the highest ELA scores among elementary schools. At the other extreme, West Middle School and West High School rank in the 5th and 4th percentiles, respectively, while Cowell, Cheltenham, and Eagleton elementary schools all sit in the bottom 2% statewide. Colorado High School Charter is in acute crisis, with a 26.6% graduation rate, a 16% dropout rate, and 69.2% chronic absenteeism.

Two systemic issues stand out: math achievement and attendance. Math proficiency lags reading at every school — even GALS Middle shows a 21-point gap, and West High posts just 7% SAT math proficiency. Chronic absenteeism exceeds the state average in 12 of 13 schools, with Compassion Road Academy (86.8%), Colorado High Charter (69.2%), and Girls Athletic Leadership School High School (63.9%) the highest. Elementary schools are the weakest tier, with none ranking above the 22nd percentile, which is concerning because early gaps compound over time. While poverty is high across the zip code, GALS Middle shows that strong outcomes are possible, and its success — along with DCIS's strong graduation rate — offers evidence that focused intervention and school culture can make a meaningful difference in this community.