Best High Schools in Zip Code 80211

Zip code 80211 in Denver, Colorado is served by School District No. 1 and contains five high schools—North High School, Career Education Center Early College, Denver Montessori Junior/Senior High School, AUL Denver, and North High School Engagement Center—serving grades 9–12 (with one school starting at grade 6) and enrolling roughly 2,500 students in a high-poverty urban area.

Parents will find a wide range of school models here. Career Education Center Early College stands out for its exceptional engagement: despite an 85.5% free/reduced lunch rate, it posts a 97.1% graduation rate and only 20.4% chronic absenteeism, the best in the zip code. Denver Montessori Junior/Senior High School is the top academic performer, with a 3-star state ranking, strong PSAT reading scores (62% proficient), and a low dropout rate of 1.2%. North High School is the largest and most traditional option, with a 90.8% graduation rate and the lowest poverty rate (62.6% FRPL), but its math proficiency lags state averages. Meanwhile, AUL Denver and North High School Engagement Center serve the highest-need students, with graduation rates near 60–72%, dropout rates around 15%, and chronic absenteeism near 89%—all far worse than district or state figures.

A few key takeaways: high graduation rates do not necessarily mean high test scores, as CEC Early College shows with excellent completion rates but low state ranking. Chronic absenteeism is a strong predictor of poor outcomes, especially in the alternative programs. Poverty alone does not explain success—CEC thrives with high poverty while North High's lower-poverty population still underperforms in math. Math is a universal weakness across all schools in 80211, and small schools vary dramatically, from Montessori's solid academics to the struggling engagement centers. For parents, the clearest opportunities for improvement in this area lie in math instruction and addressing severe absenteeism in the alternative and engagement programs.