Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Colorado Alternative Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 37 alternative public elementary schools serving 6,617 students in Colorado.
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Colorado are Delta Academy Of Applied Learning, Horizons K-8 School and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Colorado alternative public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Colorado public elementary school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 43% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public elementary school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Elementary Schools in Colorado (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Delta Academy Of Applied Learning
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
822 Grand Ave
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-0835
Gr: 5-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Horizons K-8 School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4545 Sioux Drive
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-5580
Gr: K-8 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1905 Orchard Place
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 488-8260
Gr: K-12 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Pueblo Youth Service Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1406 West 17th Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 253-6025
Gr: 4-12 | 15 students Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #55.
North Conejos Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
635 Main Street
La Jara, CO 81140
(719) 274-4220
Gr: K-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #66.
Prairie Vista Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
192 Bromley Business Parkway
Brighton, CO 80603
(303) 659-4450
Gr: 4-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #7 - 117. - 11.
Career Readiness Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2883 South Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 579-2580
Gr: 5-12 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #7 - 117. - 11.
Justice High Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
805 Excalibur
Lafayette, CO 80026
(720) 935-1337
Gr: 6-12 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #7 - 117. - 11.
Lookout Mountain
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2901 Ford Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #7 - 117. - 11.
Mount View Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7862 West Mansfield Parkway
Denver, CO 80235
(303) 987-4525
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #7 - 117. - 11.
Prep Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2727 Columbine Street
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-8451
Gr: 6-12 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Rank: #1212.
Spring Creek Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3190 East Las Vegas
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 329-6924
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #1313.
Vail Ski And Snowboard Academy (Vssa)
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1 Academy Loop
Minturn, CO 81645
(970) 328-2832
Gr: 5-12 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1414.
Dual Immersion Academy School
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
552 A West Main Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-6070
Gr: PK-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1515.
Marvin W Foote Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
13500 East Fremont Place
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 768-7596
Gr: 5-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1616.
Vision Charter Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1080 Pioneer Rd
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-8226
Gr: K-12 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1717.
Tiger Trades Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1401 East 6th Stree
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 363-1504
Gr: 5-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1818.
Patriot High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
11990 Swingline Road
Peyton, CO 80831
(719) 495-5505
Gr: 6-12 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1919.
Pathways Future Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
550 E. 124th Avenue
Thornton, CO 80241
(720) 972-4723
Gr: 6-12 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Connections Learning Center On The Earle Johnson Campus
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 Johnson Road
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7004
Gr: 6-9 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Innovations & Options
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
830 Bridge Street
Brighton, CO 80601
(303) 655-2850
Gr: 6-12 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2222.
Poudre Community Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2540 Laporte Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 490-3295
Gr: 6-12 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2323.
Academy Of Las Animas Online School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2001 Lake Ave
Pueblo, CO 81004
(800) 808-0718
Gr: 6-12 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2424.
70 Online
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Lane 28
Pueblo, CO 81001
(719) 295-6518
Gr: K-12 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2525.
Summit Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5590 W Evans Ave.
Denver, CO 80227
(720) 424-2400
Gr: 6-12 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2626.
Denver Center For 21st-century Learning At Wyman
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1690 Williams Street
Denver, CO 80218
(720) 424-2980
Gr: 6-12 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2727.
Allies
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
6275 Bridlespur Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80922
(719) 495-1100
Gr: 2-5 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Nikola Tesla Education Opportunity Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3302 Alpine Place
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 328-3100
Gr: 6-12 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Vantage Point
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
10900 Huron Street
Denver, CO 80234
(720) 972-5800
Gr: 6-12 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Vista Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4800 Telluride Street Bldg. 6
Denver, CO 80249
(720) 423-7650
Gr: 6-12 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Alamosa Alternative Education School
Alternative School
209 Victoria Ave
Alamosa, CO 81101
(719) 587-7640
Gr: 6-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: n/an/a
Betty K Marler Youth Services Center
Alternative School
7862 West Mansfield Parkway
Denver, CO 80235
(720) 220-1246
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Gilliam Youth Services Center
Alternative School
2844 Downing
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 294-8930
Gr: 5-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: n/an/a
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center
Alternative School
360 28 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 242-8445
Gr: 5-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
Platte Valley Youth Services Center
Alternative School
2200 West O Street
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 304-6220
Gr: 5-12 | 14 students Minority enrollment: 57%
Show 2 more Alternative public schools in Colorado (out of 37 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Colorado?
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Colorado include Delta Academy Of Applied Learning, Horizons K-8 School and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in Colorado?
41 alternative public elementary schools are located in Colorado.
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Colorado alternative public elementary schools minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public elementary schools average of 51% (majority Hispanic).

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CO):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
 Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics

More Articles

Parenting and Learning Issues
About Public Schools
Teaching
Scholarships
Opinion