- Emily Griffith High School — 0.1 mi · Grades 9–12 · 311 students
- Downtown Denver Expeditionary School — 0.1 mi · Grades K–5 · 263 students
- Polaris Elementary School — 0.5 mi · Grades 1–5 · 350 students
- Morey Middle School — 0.7 mi · Grades 6–8 · 479 students
- Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design — 0.7 mi · Grades 9–12 · 60 students
- University Prep - Arapahoe St. — 0.8 mi · Grades K–5 · 313 students
- Compassion Road Academy — 0.8 mi · Grades 9–12 · 96 students
- RiseUp Community School — 0.8 mi · Grades 9–12 · 100 students
| Metric | Denver County School District 1 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 87,883 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 203 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,972/yr | $17,619/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver County School District 1 (this district) | 7/10 | 64th | 87,883 |
| Cherry Creek School District 5 | 9/10 | 83rd | 52,392 |
| Jefferson County School District R-1 | 9/10 | 85th | 75,327 |
| Westminster Public School District | 2/10 | 11th | — |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 160 rated districts in CO → 64th percentile → 7/10.
Source: Colorado Dept. of Education CMAS, all grades Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2025. Full methodology →
About Denver County School District 1
Families in zip code 80290 (Denver, Colorado) are assigned to Denver County School District 1 for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Denver County School District 1 7 out of 10 — above average among Colorado public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Colorado’s CMAS assessments (2025 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.
Denver County School District 1 earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Colorado. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 80290
Children in zip code 80290 are assigned to Denver County School District 1 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 80290, 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 County School District 1 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. 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
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Denver County School District 1 serves zip code 80290, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 80290 and neighboring areas. 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 County School District 1 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 80290.
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 Denver County School District 1 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 80290 data.