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Lower Derby Lake (15428719432)Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie · CC BY 2.0
D−
Schools in Derby · Adams County School District 14

Derby’s public schools score below 96% of Colorado districts on tests and graduation

In Derby, 6% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Derby, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Colorado, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Colorado state tests taken in spring 2022, when 91% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
14%
▼ 31 pts vs CO 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
6%
▼ 26 pts vs CO 32%
2021–22
Graduate on time
69%
▼ 14 pts vs CO 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.7K
▲ 11% vs CO $15.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.6
CO 16.3
Schools in town
2
3,115 students on the public path
In brief

Derby’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 14% of tested students were proficient in reading and 6% in math, against 45% and 32% statewide; 91% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

69% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,691 per student, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Derby’s grade

D− Test scoresD Graduation

D−: better than 4% of Colorado school districts, last of 159 Colorado towns. Both inputs trail the Colorado average; among the 141 Colorado towns with similar household incomes, Derby’s schools place at the bottom.

Colorado school districts we grade (169)Better than 4%
Lower resultsHigher results
Colorado towns with similar household incomes (141)At the bottom
D−DA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,666 test results and a graduating class of 497 could put Derby anywhere from D− to D. The tests are from spring 2022, when 91% of Derby’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,683 in math, 2,648 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Derby, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–62 schoolsDepends on your addressD− to D
7–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressD−
9–12Adams City High Schoolin Commerce CityC−

Derby’s public schools are run by Adams County School District 14, which also serves Commerce City. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Adams County School District 14Grades PK–12 · 12 schools · 5,221 students, down 9% since 2020–21 · 16.6 per teacher (CO 16.3)
$17,691CO $15,889 · FY2024
D−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading14%
State average 44.9% · 2648 students tested
Math6%
State average 31.8% · 2683 students tested

Derby vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Derby’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DerbyD−Adams County School District 14
Commerce CityC+School District 27J PK–12 · Adams County School District 14 PK–12

Every school in Derby

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Colorado’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Derbyby address
Dupont Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Commerce City
D
488 students16:1Rate it →
Monaco Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Commerce City
D−
434 students16:1Rate it →
Also serving Derbyin other towns
Kearney Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Commerce City
D−
397 students13:1Rate it →
Adams City Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Commerce City
D−
296 students12:1Rate it →
Adams City High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Commerce City
C−
1,500 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Derby’s schools

Are Derby’s schools good?

On Colorado’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Derby children attend score below 96% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Derby in?

Adams County School District 14, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,221 students in 12 schools (2024–25).

Where do Derby kids go to high school?

Adams City High School in Commerce City, with 1,500 students; its own test results earn a C−.

What is Derby’s graduation rate?

69% of the class of 2023 in Adams County School District 14 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.

How much does Derby spend per student?

$17,691 in Adams County School District 14 (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Derby families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Derby → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Colorado. Stars are from neighbors.