North High School is a historic public high school located in the Northside of Denver, Colorado, United States. The school is part of the Denver Public Schools system and has been in continuous operation since 1883. It is one of four original high schools in Denver; the other three are East, West, and South.
Serving 1,635 students in grades 9-12, North High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Colorado for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 19% (which is lower than the Colorado state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45% (which is equal to the Colorado state average of 45%).
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Colorado state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Colorado state average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,635 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 91% (Top 30% in CO)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 19% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 45% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 24% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
North High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
School Overview
North High School's student population of 1,635 students has grown by 32% over five school years.
The teacher population of 96 teachers has grown by 29% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,635 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
96 teachers
Year Founded
1883
Colors
Purple, Gold
School Calendar
School Rankings
North High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,748 schools in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of North High School is 0.52, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1055 out of 1748 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
19%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)24%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
American Indian
2%
1%
Asian
1%
3%
Hispanic
66%
36%
Black
5%
5%
White
22%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
91%
82%
Eligible for Free Lunch
57%
39%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Vikings
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is North High School's ranking?
North High School is ranked #1055 out of 1,748 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Colorado.
What schools are North High School often compared to?
North High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like East High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
19% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CO state average), while 45% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% CO state average).
What is the graduation rate of North High School?
The graduation rate of North High School is 91%, which is higher than the Colorado state average of 82%.
How many students attend North High School?
1,635 students attend North High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
66% of North High School students are Hispanic, 22% of students are White, 5% of students are Black, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of North High School?
North High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Colorado state average of 15:1.
What grades does North High School offer ?
North High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is North High School part of?
North High School is part of School District No. 1 In The County Of Denver And State Of C.
In what neighborhood is North High School located?
North High School is located in the Highland neighborhood of Denver, CO. There are 5 other public schools located in Highland.
School Reviews
Review North High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
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.