If you’ve ever tried to navigate school options in Denver, you know it can feel like a lot. Different school types, enrollment zones, waitlists, and deadlines. It’s no small task for parents.
However, at its heart, Denver Public Schools (DPS) SchoolChoice is built on a simple idea: Every student deserves access to a high-quality, free public school that fits their needs, regardless of neighborhood, background, or circumstance.
The Case for SchoolChoice
For over a decade, SchoolChoice has been one of the ways DPS works to expand access and opportunity across the city.
In some parts of Denver, DPS uses enrollment zones, where students are guaranteed a seat at one school within a group of nearby schools rather than just one assigned boundary or neighborhood school. Families can apply to a school within or beyond their assigned enrollment zone. Visit the DPS School Finder to look up your neighborhood school and see the zone for your location.
Recent SchoolChoice data suggest that 44% of DPS students attend a school outside of their boundary or enrollment zone, a statistic that has remained relatively steady over the past five years.
That flexibility matters, especially in a city shaped by a long history of housing segregation and school inequities. In the past, policies like redlining led to deeply segregated neighborhoods and schools, followed by busing and court-ordered desegregation efforts.
Today, SchoolChoice has been recognized as one tool that can help support more integrated schools. Because of its commitment to real choice, DPS was twice rated the No. 1 school district in the country for school choice by the Brookings Institution. It’s not a perfect system, but it can help open doors when families have the information and support they need.
Despite common misconceptions, this process is not limited to a small group of families. Having high participation is critical to enrollment equity. DPS data continues to show that families across backgrounds, including many families of color and those who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch (FRL), actively participate in SchoolChoice.
In 2024, 46% of FRL students attended a school outside their boundary or zone, versus only 40% of non-FRL students. Data from 2020 to 2024 shows that while roughly 50% of Black and Hispanic students attend a school outside their boundary/zone, less than 40% of White students do so, showing the equity of access that SchoolChoice provides.
What is SchoolChoice, Exactly?
SchoolChoice is the process families use to apply to Denver Public Schools.
Every student is assigned a boundary school or is part of an enrollment zone, which may include several schools. From there, families can choose to stay or apply to other schools across the city.
There are many types of schools to consider, all tuition-free, public, and open to all students:
- Traditional District-run Schools: Directly run and overseen by DPS that follow district curricula, calendar and professional development.
- Charter Schools: Tuition-free, district-authorized public schools with their own governing boards and flexible programming, though still held accountable to DPS and state requirements.
- District-Run Innovation Schools: Can choose to waive certain district policies and collective bargaining agreements in order to operate with more autonomy.
- Innovation Zones: Diverse groups of public innovation schools that share common goals and interests and often participate in joint professional development. These networks have an independent zone board for greater accountability and monitoring.
You’ll also find schools of varying governance types built around specific learning experiences, such as dual language programs, expeditionary learning models, or schools centered on identity and leadership.
The main idea: One size doesn’t fit all. SchoolChoice is designed to reflect that.
What We Learned from Round 1
Each year, thousands of families participate in Round 1. Some receive their top choice right away. Others are placed on waitlists or begin exploring new options. 2025 data suggest that 88% of Round 1 student applicants were accepted at their first or second-choice school. Check out the lists of the top ten DPS schools by grade level with the most applications and largest waitlists.
We also see consistent trends. Families are looking beyond academics alone. They want to know if their child will feel safe, seen and supported. They care about representation, school culture and how schools serve diverse communities.
Based on 2025 survey results, families with younger students often start with location, using proximity or transportation access to narrow their options. For middle and high school, preferences tend to expand to include factors like school reputation and program offerings. Because families could select multiple responses, it’s clear that choosing a school is rarely about just one thing. Location helps define what’s possible, and then considerations like academics, school model, and community come into play. Across all grades, family and friend networks remain one of the most trusted and widely used resources in the decision-making process.
Overall, the data speak to why access and participation are so vital.
How Round 2 Works
Round 2 is now open, and typically remains open through the summer.
You may want to participate if:
- You didn’t apply in Round 1
- Your plans have changed
- You’re new to DPS
If you’re happy with your Round 1 placement, no action is needed.
Round 2 works differently from Round 1:
- There is no lottery
- Seats are offered first-come, first-served within school priorities
- If a seat is available, you’ll have 72 hours to accept or decline
- If not, your student is added to a waitlist based on when you apply
One important reminder: If your student is already waitlisted at a school from Round 1, don’t apply to that same school again, as they are already in line.
A Tool to Help You Decide
The Mile High School Guide was created with direct input from families and educators across Denver. It highlights academic and non-academic factors families say matter most, like school culture, demographics, and student experience.
It’s a practical starting point for comparing schools and narrowing down what feels right for your student.
Questions? Call the DPS Hotline at 720-423-3493, or visit the DPS SchoolChoice website for FAQs, application details and an overview of the process. View this video to learn what’s new for the 2026-27 school year.
A System used Across the City
SchoolChoice continues to be widely used by Denver families each year. As participation grows, so does the importance of making sure every family understands how it works and feels empowered to use it.
Take time to explore your options, ask questions and find the school that’s the right fit for your family.