For the 2025 school year, there are 19 alternative public charter schools serving 8,796 students in Colorado.
The top ranked alternative public charter schools in Colorado are Horizons K-8 School, Colorado High School Charter - Ges and Community Prep Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Colorado alternative public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the Colorado public charter school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 48% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public charter school average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Charter Schools in Colorado (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Horizons K-8 School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4545 Sioux Drive
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-5580
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-5580
Grades: K-8
| 361 students
Rank: #2 - 72. - 7.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 189 students
Rank: #2 - 72. - 7.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 167 students
Rank: #2 - 72. - 7.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 107 students
Rank: #2 - 72. - 7.
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
Grades: 6-12
| 103 students
Rank: #2 - 72. - 7.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 81 students
Rank: #2 - 72. - 7.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 96 students
Rank: #88.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 100 students
Rank: #99.
Southwest Open Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 North Dolores Road
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-1150
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-1150
Grades: 9-12
| 134 students
Rank: #1010.
5280 High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1200 W Mississippi Ave
Denver, CO 80223
(720) 919-1056
Denver, CO 80223
(720) 919-1056
Grades: 9-12
| 92 students
Rank: #11 - 1411. - 14.
Colorado High School Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1175 Osage Street #100
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 892-8475
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 892-8475
Grades: 9-12
| 203 students
Rank: #11 - 1411. - 14.
New America School - Aurora
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
9125 E Seventh Place Building
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 320-9854
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 320-9854
Grades: 9-12
| 106 students
Rank: #11 - 1411. - 14.
New America School - Thornton
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
8978 Washington St
Denver, CO 80229
(303) 991-0130
Denver, CO 80229
(303) 991-0130
Grades: 9-12
| 238 students
Rank: #11 - 1411. - 14.
Riseup Community School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2342 Broadway St
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-1018
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-1018
Grades: 9-12
| 111 students
Rank: #1515.
Vista Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1810 St. Mary Drive
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-4470
Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 249-4470
Grades: 9-12
| 177 students
Rank: #1616.
Eastlake High School Of Colorado Springs
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2520 Airport Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
(719) 271-0145
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
(719) 271-0145
Grades: 9-12
| 123 students
Rank: #1717.
Aul Denver
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2417 W. 29th Ave
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 282-0900
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 282-0900
Grades: 9-12
| 151 students
Rank: #1818.
Goal Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
304 S. Victoria Ave
Pueblo, CO 81003
(877) 776-4625
Pueblo, CO 81003
(877) 776-4625
Grades: 9-12
| 6,142 students
Rank: n/an/a
Boulder Prep Charter High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
5075 Chaparral Court #1
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 545-6186
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 545-6186
Grades: 9-12
| 115 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public charter schools in Colorado?
The top ranked alternative public charter schools in Colorado include Horizons K-8 School, Colorado High School Charter - Ges and Community Prep Charter School.
How many alternative public charter schools are located in Colorado?
19 alternative public charter schools are located in Colorado.
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Colorado alternative public charter schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public charter schools average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
