Top private high schools in Colorado offer exceptional academic programs, supportive communities, and specialized opportunities for students across the state. For newcomers moving to Colorado, finding the right school is often a top priority—and the good news is, there are excellent options across the Front Range, mountain towns, and urban areas alike.
This list of the top 20 private high schools in Colorado is based on academic reputation, student-to-teacher ratios, college placement, and overall quality. Whether you’re relocating to Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, or a smaller community, these schools represent the best the state has to offer.
1. Kent Denver School (Englewood)
Consistently ranked among the best, Kent Denver serves grades 6–12 and offers outstanding academics, arts, and athletics on a stunning 200-acre campus just outside Denver.
2. Colorado Academy (Denver)
A PK–12 independent school that blends rigorous academics with creativity and character development. It’s especially popular with families relocating to the Denver metro area.
3. Fountain Valley School (Colorado Springs)
A boarding and day school for grades 9–12 with a strong outdoor education program. The campus includes 1,100 acres of open land, ideal for hands-on learning.
4. St. Mary’s Academy (Englewood)
This all-girls high school has a long-standing tradition of empowering students through academic excellence, leadership programs, and faith-based learning.
5. Dawson School (Lafayette)
Located between Boulder and Denver, Dawson offers an experiential curriculum from K–12, with strong college prep and a vibrant arts and athletics program.
6. The Colorado Springs School (Colorado Springs)
This college-prep day school serves Pre-K through 12th grade. It combines academic rigor with outdoor education and global awareness.
7. Crescent View Academy (Aurora)
An Islamic private school serving students from Pre-K to 12th grade. It combines faith-based education with strong STEM and humanities instruction.
8. Colorado Rocky Mountain School (Carbondale)
This boarding and day school offers a unique blend of college-prep academics, outdoor adventure, and sustainability education in the heart of the Rockies.
9. Vail Christian High School (Edwards)
A small, faith-based high school in the Vail Valley. It combines rigorous academics with leadership and service opportunities.
10. Vail Mountain School (Vail)
An independent K–12 school that emphasizes academic excellence, global citizenship, and outdoor education—all in one of Colorado’s most scenic locations.
11. The Denver Waldorf School (Denver)
Offers a holistic, arts-integrated education from early childhood through high school. Known for its tight-knit community and developmental approach to learning.
12. Steamboat Mountain School (Steamboat Springs)
A co-ed boarding and day school for grades 9–12. Students benefit from small classes, global travel, outdoor expeditions, and college-prep academics.
13. Regis Jesuit High School (Aurora)
A Catholic, Jesuit college-prep high school for boys and girls, with separate divisions. Known for academic rigor, athletics, and strong community values.
14. Denver Jewish Day School (Denver)
A Modern Orthodox Jewish day school offering dual curriculum education (Judaic and general studies) from Pre-K through 12th grade.
15. Mullen High School (Denver)
A co-ed Catholic high school with a tradition of academic excellence, leadership, and service. Mullen also offers competitive athletics and extracurriculars.
16. Valor Christian High School (Highlands Ranch)
A faith-based high school focused on excellence in academics, arts, and athletics. Known for its championship-level sports programs and student leadership.
17. Mile High Academy (Highlands Ranch)
A Seventh-day Adventist school serving Pre-K through 12th grade. Focused on Christ-centered education, academic integrity, and service.
18. Watershed School (Boulder)
An innovative independent school for grades 6–12. Its interdisciplinary approach and real-world projects make it a standout among Colorado schools.
19. Telluride Mountain School (Telluride)
This small independent school emphasizes academic inquiry, outdoor learning, and social-emotional development in a picturesque mountain setting.
20. Tara High School (Boulder)
A Waldorf-inspired high school with a focus on the arts, humanities, and experiential learning. Ideal for families seeking an alternative to traditional education.
Why Newcomers Moving to Colorado Choose Private Schools
For many newcomers moving to Colorado, private schools offer the consistency, values, and academic challenge that help students transition smoothly. From Denver’s metro area to the mountain towns, these schools combine personalized instruction with strong community connections.
Whether you’re seeking a religious education, boarding school experience, Waldorf philosophy, or a traditional college-prep path, Colorado’s private high schools offer excellent options for every type of student and family.
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