- Thunder Ridge Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 1106 students
- Arrowhead Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 499 students
- Belleview Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 577 students
- Campus Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 1311 students
- Cherry Creek High School — Grades 9–12 · 3852 students
- Cherry Hills Village Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 491 students
- Cottonwood Creek Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 533 students
- Dry Creek Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 269 students
- Eastridge Community Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 716 students
- Greenwood Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 355 students
- Heritage Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 302 students
- Holly Hills Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 633 students
- Homestead Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 334 students
- Independence Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 439 students
- Laredo Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 846 students
- Mission Viejo Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 552 students
- Polton Community Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 466 students
- Ponderosa Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 634 students
- Prairie Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 1491 students
- Sagebrush Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 354 students
- Smoky Hill High School — Grades 9–12 · 2297 students
- Village East Community Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 821 students
- Walnut Hills Community Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 342 students
- West Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 1019 students
- Willow Creek Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 462 students
- Challenge School — Grades PK–8 · 560 students
- Cherry Creek Charter Academy — Grades K–8 · 594 students
- Overland High School — Grades 9–12 · 2228 students
- High Plains Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 462 students
- Cimarron Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 393 students
- Rodger Quist Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 855 students
- Otho E Stuart Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 794 students
- Prairie View Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 679 students
- Overland Trail Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 581 students
- Vikan Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 528 students
- Prairie View High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,809 students
- Riverdale Ridge High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students
- Brighton High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students
- Eagle Ridge Academy — Grades 9–12 · 593 students
- The STEAD School — Grades 9–12 · 421 students
- Colorado Connections @ 27J — Grades K–12 · 2,042 students
- Bromley East Charter School — Grades PK–8 · 1,214 students
- Foundations Academy — Grades K–8 · 763 students
- Landmark Academy at Reunion — Grades K–8 · 758 students
- Discovery Magnet School — Grades K–8 · 692 students
- Belle Creek Charter School — Grades K–8 · 519 students
- Northeast Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 470 students
- 27J Online Academy — Grades 6–12 · 336 students
- Innovations & Options — Grades 6–12 · 235 students
- Prairie Vista Youth Services Center — Grades 4–12 · 32 students
| Metric | Cherry Creek School District 5 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 22,713 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 32 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek School District 5 (this district) | 9/10 | 83rd | 22,713 |
| School District 49 | 8/10 | 71st | 24,517 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 160 rated districts in CO → 83rd percentile → 9/10.
Source: Colorado Dept. of Education CMAS, all grades Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2025. Full methodology →
About Cherry Creek School District 5
Cherry Creek School District 5 serves zip code 80231, covering Denver, Colorado with grades K–12. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Cherry Creek School District 5 spends approximately $11,000 per student per year, placing it near the Colorado state average of approximately $11,000 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 70 schools serving grades K–12, Cherry Creek School District 5 qualifies as a very large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 52,392 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
With a rating of 9/10 (top-tier), Cherry Creek School District 5 ranks among Colorado’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Colorado is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Cherry Creek School District 5 ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Colorado on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 80231 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 80231
Children in zip code 80231 are assigned to Cherry Creek School District 5 for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 80231, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Cherry Creek School District 5 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Colorado districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Denver
For families considering a purchase in the Denver area, district assignment matters financially. Because Cherry Creek School District 5 serves zip code 80231, homes in and around zip code 80231 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Colorado, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Cherry Creek School District 5 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 80231.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Cherry Creek School District 5 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 80231 data.