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Denver IA, October 2013Photo: Orange Suede Sofa · CC BY-SA 3.0
A+
Schools in Denver · Denver Community School District

Denver’s public schools outscore almost every Iowa district

On the state math tests, 92% of Denver’s students scored proficient, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Denver, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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
92%
▲ 22 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
92%
▲ 28 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–12 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.2K
▼ 18% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.4
IA 14.1 · larger classes
Schools in town
4
1,007 students on the public path
In brief

Denver’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 92% and math 92% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,213 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Denver Middle School, then Denver Senior High School. Enrollment is up 7% 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 Denver’s grade

A+ Test scoresA− Graduation

A+: better than 100% of Iowa school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 100%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (396)Better than 100%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 610 test results and a graduating class of 61 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Denver’s students in the tested grades sat them (610 in math, 610 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street BuildingDenver Community School DistrictA+
6–8Denver Middle SchoolDenver Community School DistrictA+
9–12Denver Senior High SchoolDenver Community School DistrictA+

Denver’s public schools are run by Denver Community School District. 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.

Denver Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,007 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 15.4 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$11,213IA $13,713 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading92%
State average 69.7% · 610 students tested
Math92%
State average 63.8% · 610 students tested

Denver vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Denver’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DenverA+Denver

Every school in Denver

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

District schools in Denverby address
Denver Early Elementary School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
60 students14:1Rate it →
Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street Building
Elementary · Grades K–5
A+
431 students15:1Rate it →
Denver Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A+
238 students20:1Rate it →
Denver Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
278 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Denver’s schools

Are Denver’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Denver children attend outscore 100% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 100%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Denver in?

Denver Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,007 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Denver kids go to high school?

Denver Senior High School, with 278 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Denver’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Denver Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Denver spend per student?

$11,213 in Denver Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Denver families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Denver → 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 Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.