- Holly Hills Elementary School — 1.6 mi · Grades PK–5 · 633 students
- The Cottage at Holly Ridge — 1.7 mi · Grades PK–PK · 74 students
- Ponderosa Elementary School — 1.8 mi · Grades PK–5 · 634 students
- Eastridge Community Elementary School — 1.9 mi · Grades PK–5 · 716 students
- Challenge School — 1.9 mi · Grades PK–8 · 560 students
- Polton Community Elementary School — 2.0 mi · Grades PK–5 · 466 students
- Village East Community Elementary School — 2.3 mi · Grades PK–5 · 821 students
- Overland High School — 2.5 mi · Grades 9–12 · 2,228 students
| Metric | Cherry Creek School District 5 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 52,392 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 32 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,160/yr | $17,619/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek School District 5 (this district) | 9/10 | 83rd | 52,392 |
| Denver County School District 1 | 7/10 | 64th | 87,883 |
| Adams-Arapahoe School District 28J | 2/10 | 19th | 38,135 |
| Littleton School District 6 | 10/10 | 95th | 13,450 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 160 rated districts in CO → 83rd percentile → 9/10.
Source: Colorado Dept. of Education CMAS, all grades Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2025. Full methodology →
About Cherry Creek School District 5
Cherry Creek School District 5 serves zip code 80231, covering Denver, Colorado with grades Pre-K–12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
Cherry Creek School District 5 spent $17,160 per pupil in FY2024, close to the Colorado state average of $15,908 and close to the national average of $17,619 (US Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances). 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 70 schools serving grades Pre-K–12th, Cherry Creek School District 5 qualifies as a very large district serving students from Pre-K–12th. The district enrolls approximately 52,392 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
With a rating of 9/10 (top-tier), Cherry Creek School District 5 ranks among Colorado’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Colorado is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Cherry Creek School District 5 ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Colorado on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 80231 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 80231
Children in zip code 80231 are assigned to Cherry Creek School District 5 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 80231, 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 Cherry Creek School District 5 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 Cherry Creek School District 5 serves zip code 80231, homes in and around zip code 80231 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. 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 Cherry Creek School District 5 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 80231.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Cherry Creek School District 5 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 80231 data.