For the 2025 school year, there are 110 alternative public high schools serving 22,824 students in Colorado.
The top ranked alternative public high schools in Colorado are Odyssey Early College And Career Options, St. Vrain Virtual High School and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Colorado alternative public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the Colorado public high school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 53% statewide average).
Colorado alternative public high school have a Graduation Rate of 44%, which is less than the Colorado average of 82%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Destinations Career Academy Of Colorado, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Colorado or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public high school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public High Schools in Colorado (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Odyssey Early College And Career Options
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2115 Afton Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3009
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3009
Gr: 9-12 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
St. Vrain Virtual High School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1200 South Sunset Street
Longmont, CO 80501
(303) 591-8627
Longmont, CO 80501
(303) 591-8627
Gr: 9-12 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #33.
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1905 Orchard Place
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 488-8260
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 488-8260
Gr: K-12 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
Pueblo Youth Service Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1406 West 17th Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 253-6025
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 253-6025
Gr: 4-12 | 18 students Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #5 - 85. - 8.
Byron Syring Delta Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
345 Prospect
Monte Vista, CO 81144
(719) 852-2212
Monte Vista, CO 81144
(719) 852-2212
Gr: 9-12 | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 51:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #5 - 85. - 8.
Longview High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
13301 West 2nd Place
Denver, CO 80228
(303) 982-8523
Denver, CO 80228
(303) 982-8523
Gr: 9-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #5 - 85. - 8.
North Conejos Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
635 Main Street
La Jara, CO 81140
(719) 274-4220
La Jara, CO 81140
(719) 274-4220
Gr: K-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #5 - 85. - 8.
Prairie Creek High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1983 Monroe Street
Strasburg, CO 80136
(303) 622-6328
Strasburg, CO 80136
(303) 622-6328
Gr: 9-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #99.
Yampa Valley High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
325 7th Street
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
(970) 871-3196
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
(970) 871-3196
Gr: 9-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1010.
Prairie Vista Youth Service Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
192 Bromley Business Parkway
Brighton, CO 80603
(303) 659-4450
Brighton, CO 80603
(303) 659-4450
Gr: 4-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Chaffee County High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
613 East Main Street
Buena Vista, CO 81211
(719) 395-4064
Buena Vista, CO 81211
(719) 395-4064
Gr: 7-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Compassion Road Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1000 Cherokee Street
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 424-2200
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 424-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Career Readiness Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2883 South Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 579-2580
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 579-2580
Gr: 9-12 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Colorado High School Charter - Ges
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3093 E 42nd Ave
Denver, CO 80216
(720) 524-8664
Denver, CO 80216
(720) 524-8664
Gr: 9-12 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Community Prep Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
332 East Willamette Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 227-8836
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 227-8836
Gr: 9-12 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Denver Justice High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 E. 9th Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 480-5610
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 480-5610
Gr: 9-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Harold Ferguson High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1811 W 15th St
Loveland, CO 80538
(970) 613-5300
Loveland, CO 80538
(970) 613-5300
Gr: 9-12 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Horizons Exploratory Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
310 E 9th Street
Salida, CO 81201
(719) 530-5252
Salida, CO 81201
(719) 530-5252
Gr: 9-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Justice High Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
805 Excalibur
Lafayette, CO 80026
(720) 935-1337
Lafayette, CO 80026
(720) 935-1337
Gr: 6-12 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Lincoln High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
230 Walnut Street
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
(970) 867-2924
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
(970) 867-2924
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Lookout Mountain
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2901 Ford Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Montbello Career And Technical High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4501 Airport Way
Denver, CO 80239
(720) 423-7200
Denver, CO 80239
(720) 423-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Mount View Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7862 West Mansfield Parkway
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 987-4525
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 987-4525
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
New America School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5806 W Alameda Ave
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 894-3171
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 894-3171
Gr: 9-12 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
New Legacy Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2091 North Dayton Street
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 340-7880
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 340-7880
Gr: 9-12 | 96 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Prep Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2727 Columbine Street
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-8451
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-8451
Gr: 6-12 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
Respect Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2285 South Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219
(720) 423-5228
Denver, CO 80219
(720) 423-5228
Gr: 9-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #13 - 2813. - 28.
San Juan Mountain School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 South 8th Street
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
(970) 264-2231
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
(970) 264-2231
Gr: 9-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
The Academic Recovery Center Of San Luis Valley
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
550 S. Sylvester Avenue
Center, CO 81125
(719) 754-2859
Center, CO 81125
(719) 754-2859
Gr: 9-12 | 3 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Spring Creek Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3190 East Las Vegas
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 329-6924
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 329-6924
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #3131.
Vail Ski And Snowboard Academy (Vssa)
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Academy Loop
Minturn, CO 81645
(970) 328-2832
Minturn, CO 81645
(970) 328-2832
Gr: 5-12 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Emily Griffith High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1860 Lincoln St.
Denver, CO 80203
(720) 423-4901
Denver, CO 80203
(720) 423-4901
Gr: 9-12 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Endeavor Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
14076 East Briarwood Ave
Englewood, CO 80112
(720) 886-7200
Englewood, CO 80112
(720) 886-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #3434.
Marvin W Foote Youth Services
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13500 East Fremont Place
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 768-7596
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 768-7596
Gr: 5-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #3535.
Vision Charter Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1080 Pioneer Rd
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-8226
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-8226
Gr: 9-12 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Show 75 more Alternative public schools in Colorado (out of 110 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public high schools in Colorado?
The top ranked alternative public high schools in Colorado include Odyssey Early College And Career Options, St. Vrain Virtual High School and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School.
How many alternative public high schools are located in Colorado?
110 alternative public high schools are located in Colorado.
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Colorado alternative public high schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public high schools average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
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