Denver Public Schools operates 207 schools. Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Denver Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 90,000 | 3,700 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 207 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $12,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Urban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 4/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
About Denver Public Schools
Denver Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 80204 in Denver, Colorado. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 80204. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Denver Public Schools spends approximately $12,000 per student per year, placing it 9% above the Colorado state average of approximately $11,000 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 207 schools serving grades Pre-K–12th, Denver Public Schools qualifies as a major metropolitan district serving students from Pre-K–12th. The district enrolls approximately 90,000 students in total. Major metropolitan districts operate dozens to hundreds of schools across wide geographic areas. They often include magnet schools, gifted programs, dual-language academies, and career and technical education pathways not available in smaller systems. Within-district quality variation is significant: a school two miles from your address might be rated very differently from your assigned school.
Understanding the 4/10 Rating
With a rating of 4/10 (below average), Denver Public Schools ranks among Colorado’s below average-rated school systems. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
Denver Public Schools carries a below-average rating, indicating resource levels and structural indicators below typical Colorado benchmarks. Below-average ratings primarily reflect per-pupil spending, staffing ratios, and enrollment trends — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture. Some below-average districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 80204
Children in zip code 80204 are assigned to Denver Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 80204, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Denver Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Colorado districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Denver
For families considering a purchase in the Denver area, district assignment matters financially. Because Denver Public Schools serves zip code 80204, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 80204. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Colorado, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Denver Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 80204.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Denver Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 80204 data.