Summary:
In Denver's 80220 zip code, a diverse collection of 9 schools — 7 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high school — serves roughly 5,014 students across School District No. 1, a district currently ranked below average in Colorado, though individual schools vary dramatically from top statewide performers to those facing severe challenges.
Families in 80220 will find some of the best schools in Colorado. Denver School of the Arts is a true standout: ranked 11th among Colorado high schools, it posts a 96.6% graduation rate and far exceeds state averages in ELA (84.1%), math (67.4%), and SAT/PSAT scores. Among elementary schools, Carson Elementary School leads with 78.0% ELA proficiency and the lowest chronic absenteeism in the zip (8.6%), while Park Hill School offers similar excellence with 77.7% ELA and just 9.4% chronic absenteeism. Steck Elementary School posts the highest elementary math proficiency in the area at 74.6% — roughly double the state average. Denver Language School, a K–8 immersion program, also performs well above district averages in both subjects, making it another strong option.
However, the same zip code contains schools with serious struggles. Ashley Elementary School ranks in the bottom 1% of Colorado elementary schools, with only 10.0% ELA proficiency, 6.5% math proficiency, and a staggering 67.8% chronic absenteeism rate. Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment also faces major challenges at 23.5% ELA and 20.5% math. Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences, the only standalone middle school, sits near the middle statewide but has concerning math performance (24.6%) and 41.9% chronic absenteeism. Palmer Elementary School falls in between, with 47.4% ELA and 50.0% math proficiency. The sharp differences in proficiency, absenteeism, and poverty levels within this single neighborhood highlight how school choice can greatly shape a child's educational experience.
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