Best Schools in Cherry Creek: A Parent’s Complete Guide to Education Options in 2026

Cherry Creek is one of Denver’s most prestigious and walkable neighborhoods, known for upscale shopping, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, and a real estate market that consistently ranks among the city’s most expensive. Median listing prices hover around $1.4 million for single-family homes, putting the neighborhood firmly in Denver’s upper tier. For families considering a move here, education quality is often the deciding factor — and the picture is more nuanced than many people expect.

The first thing parents need to understand: despite the shared name, the Cherry Creek neighborhood in Denver and the Cherry Creek School District are two different things. The Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) is a suburban district headquartered in Greenwood Village — it primarily serves Aurora, Centennial, and Greenwood Village. Most homes with a Cherry Creek, Denver address are actually zoned for Denver Public Schools (DPS). Some pockets of the 80206 and 80209 zip codes do fall in CCSD, but you need to check your specific address. This guide covers both, plus the strong private school ecosystem that makes Cherry Creek attractive regardless of which public district you land in.

Understanding Cherry Creek School Boundaries

One of the most common surprises for families relocating to Cherry Creek is discovering that their address is zoned for Denver Public Schools rather than Cherry Creek School District. This happens because the Cherry Creek neighborhood sits within the City and County of Denver, while CCSD is a separate suburban district that doesn’t extend into the city proper for most addresses.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Cherry Creek neighborhood (80206, 80209, 80220 zip codes): Primarily Denver Public Schools territory. Think Steck Elementary, Carson Elementary, Hill Campus, and East High School or George Washington High School depending on your specific block.
• Cherry Creek School District: Covers Aurora (80012, 80014), Centennial (80121, 80122), and Greenwood Village (80111) — areas that feel distinctly suburban and are not Cherry Creek the Denver neighborhood.
• Some overlap zones: A small number of addresses near the southeastern edge of the neighborhood may fall in CCSD. Always verify using DPS’s online school finder or call (720) 423-3493.

For any specific address, use the DPS School Finder tool or the CCSD address lookup to confirm your boundary school before making any real estate decisions based on school assignments.

Denver Public Schools in Cherry Creek

For most Cherry Creek families, Denver Public Schools is the relevant public school system. DPS has invested heavily in its schools in this corridor, and the neighborhood schools here are among the stronger performers in the district.

Steck Elementary School

Address: 450 Albion Street, Denver, CO 80220 | Phone: (720) 424-3870 | Website: steck.dpsk12.org

Steck Elementary is one of the go-to neighborhood schools for Cherry Creek families in DPS. Located in the Hilltop-adjacent pocket of east Denver, Steck serves grades K-5 and has a strong reputation among parents for its engaged community and well-regarded staff. The school emphasizes rigorous academics alongside arts integration and community-building. Steck consistently draws families who want a neighborhood school with a tight-knit feel — and given Cherry Creek’s density of young professionals and families, there’s real community energy here.

Note that Steck’s school boundary also overlaps with parts of the Hilltop neighborhood, so families on the east side of Cherry Creek may find Steck is their assigned school depending on their block.

Carson Elementary School

Address: 5420 East 1st Avenue, Denver, CO 80220 | Phone: (720) 424-9090 | Website: carson.dpsk12.org

Technically described as serving the Hilltop neighborhood, Carson Elementary sits just east of the Cherry Creek corridor and is a realistic assignment for families in Cherry Creek’s eastern reaches. Carson has a strong academic reputation within DPS and is known as a family-oriented school with high parent involvement. The proximity to Cherry Creek North makes it a natural choice for families who want walkable access to the neighborhood while attending a high-performing public elementary.

Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences

Address: 451 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220 | Phone: (720) 423-9680 | Website: dpsk12.org/o/hill

Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences is the neighborhood middle school serving much of the Cherry Creek and Hilltop corridor within DPS. Serving grades 6-8, Hill has built a reputation as one of the more academically-minded middle schools in the district, with a curriculum that blends arts programming with core academic rigor. Parents who choose to stay in DPS through middle school often cite Hill as a genuine reason to do so — it’s not a fall-back option, it’s a deliberate choice many families make.

Hill’s arts focus means students get meaningful exposure to visual arts, music, and performance alongside a standard academic track. For families coming from a DPS elementary school, the Hill pathway is a coherent, community-connected option through 8th grade.

High School Pathways: East and George Washington

Cherry Creek families in DPS have two primary high school options depending on their address, with additional school-of-choice opportunities available through DPS enrollment.

East High School (1600 City Park Esplanade, Denver, CO 80206) is one of Denver’s most storied high schools and a frequent assignment for Cherry Creek neighborhood students. East is a large comprehensive high school known for its strong academic programs, IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum, competitive athletics, and diverse extracurricular landscape. The IB program at East is a major draw for academically motivated families.

George Washington High School (655 S. Monaco Parkway, Denver, CO 80224) serves students in parts of the Cherry Creek zip code area. GW has seen significant investment in recent years and offers a strong STEM emphasis alongside traditional college-prep programming. Depending on your address in Cherry Creek, you may be zoned for GW rather than East — again, verify with the DPS school finder.

DPS also offers robust school-of-choice enrollment, which means families aren’t strictly limited to their boundary school. Magnet programs, charter options, and open enrollment all give Cherry Creek families flexibility beyond their default assignment.

Cherry Creek School District Options

If your specific Cherry Creek address does fall within Cherry Creek School District boundaries — or if you’re considering a nearby property that does — here’s what CCSD offers.

Cherry Creek School District Overview

Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) is consistently ranked among Colorado’s top public school districts. The district serves approximately 54,000 students across Aurora, Centennial, Greenwood Village, and portions of Denver. CCSD has earned a strong reputation for high graduation rates, rigorous academics, strong athletics and arts programs, and college placement outcomes.

The district’s flagship high school, Cherry Creek High School (9300 E. Union Avenue, Greenwood Village, CO 80111), is one of the largest and most resource-rich high schools in Colorado. With over 4,000 students, Cherry Creek High offers hundreds of course offerings including AP and IB tracks, a nationally recognized arts program, and championship-level athletics. If your Cherry Creek address qualifies, this is a genuinely impressive public high school option.

Other CCSD schools that may serve addresses near the Cherry Creek neighborhood boundary include:

• Village East Community Elementary School — a strong elementary option for families on the Aurora-facing edge of the CCSD service area
• Campus Middle School — CCSD’s well-regarded middle school in Englewood that serves portions of the district
• Overland High School — for CCSD families not assigned to Cherry Creek High, Overland in Aurora is a solid alternative with strong academic programs

Always verify your CCSD assignment using the district’s official address lookup at cherrycreekschools.org.

Private Schools Near Cherry Creek

One of the real advantages of Cherry Creek’s central Denver location is the concentration of excellent private schools within a short drive. Families who prefer private education — whether for academic rigor, specialized learning support, religious affiliation, or simply more control over the school environment — have outstanding options.

Graland Country Day School

Address: 55 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220 | Website: graland.org | Grades: Preschool–8th grade

Graland Country Day is arguably the most convenient private school option for Cherry Creek families — it’s literally in the neighborhood. Located in Hilltop adjacent to the Cherry Creek corridor, Graland serves preschool through 8th grade and has one of the strongest academic reputations of any independent school in Denver. The school emphasizes intellectual curiosity, outdoor education, and a community-centered approach to learning. Graland’s facilities, faculty caliber, and college-preparatory foundation make it a top choice for families willing to invest in K-8 private education. Expect competitive admissions and tuition in the range of major Denver private schools.

Colorado Academy

Address: 3800 S. Pierce Street, Denver, CO 80235 | Website: coloradoacademy.org | Grades: PreK–12th grade

Colorado Academy is a full PreK-12 independent school on a beautiful 94-acre campus in southwest Denver. CA is consistently ranked among Colorado’s top private schools and is known for its progressive educational philosophy, strong arts program, competitive athletics, and exceptional college placement results. The school blends academic rigor with a genuine emphasis on the whole child. For Cherry Creek families willing to make the 15-20 minute drive west, Colorado Academy delivers a comprehensive, well-rounded private education from early childhood through high school graduation. Alumni regularly attend selective colleges and universities nationally.

Kent Denver School

Address: 4000 E. Quincy Avenue, Englewood, CO 80113 | Website: kentdenver.org | Grades: 6th–12th grade

Kent Denver is Denver’s premier college-preparatory independent school for grades 6-12. Located in Englewood just south of Cherry Creek, Kent is about a 15-minute drive from the heart of the neighborhood and worth it for families seeking elite secondary education. The school’s 200-acre campus, rigorous academic program, strong arts and athletics, and exceptional college counseling consistently produce students who gain admission to top universities. Kent’s learning model is built around engagement, critical thinking, and character development. Tuition is significant but competitive with peer schools nationally. For middle and high school families in Cherry Creek, Kent Denver belongs on any shortlist.

Denver Academy

Address: 4400 E. Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80222 | Phone: (303) 777-5870 | Website: denveracademy.org | Grades: 2nd–12th grade

Denver Academy occupies a unique and important niche in Denver’s private school landscape. It’s a co-educational independent school specifically designed for students with diverse learning profiles — including dyslexia, ADHD, twice-exceptional learners, and others who thrive with differentiated instruction. Located about 10 minutes from Cherry Creek, Denver Academy serves grades 2-12 with nationally recognized expertise in teaching students who don’t fit the traditional mold. For Cherry Creek families whose child learns differently, Denver Academy is not a compromise — it’s a destination. The school consistently produces remarkable outcomes for students who struggled in traditional settings.

St. John’s School

Address: 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver, CO 80209 | Phone: (303) 733-3777 | Grades: Kindergarten–8th grade

St. John’s School sits near Washington Park, a short drive from Cherry Creek. Serving kindergarten through 8th grade, St. John’s has Episcopal roots but welcomes families of all backgrounds — it’s not a religious-instruction school, just one with that heritage. The school is small enough that every student is known, and the academic program provides solid college-prep preparation for the high school years. Given its location, St. John’s is one of the more accessible private elementary options for Cherry Creek families willing to make the short drive toward Wash Park.

Other Nearby Private Options

Beyond the schools listed above, Cherry Creek families also have reasonable access to:

• St. Mary’s Academy (4545 S. University Blvd, Englewood) — all-girls Catholic school, grades 6-12, with a strong academic and service-learning tradition
• Mullen High School (3601 S. Lowell Blvd, Denver) — Catholic co-ed high school, strong athletics and academics
• Regis Jesuit High School (6400 S. Lewiston Way, Aurora) — all-girls and all-boys divisions, Jesuit education with excellent college placement
• Dawson School (10455 Dawson Drive, Lafayette) — for families willing to commute north, a premier independent school option

How to Choose the Right School for Your Cherry Creek Family

Cherry Creek’s education landscape rewards parents who do their homework — and that starts before you sign a purchase agreement. Here’s a practical framework:

Step 1: Verify Your Address Boundary First

Don’t assume. The Cherry Creek neighborhood spans multiple school district boundaries and multiple school zones within DPS. Use the DPS School Finder with your specific address — not just the neighborhood name — before drawing any conclusions about your assigned school. If you think your address might be in CCSD, verify at cherrycreekschools.org.

Step 2: Understand DPS School Choice

Denver Public Schools operates a robust school-of-choice enrollment system. Your boundary school is your guaranteed option, but it’s not your only option. DPS families can apply to magnet programs, charter schools, and innovation schools across the district. Each January, DPS opens its school-of-choice enrollment window for the following school year. If your boundary school isn’t the right fit, the choice process gives you legitimate alternatives within DPS.

Step 3: Tour Before Committing

Every school on this list offers tours and open houses — use them. A school’s rating on a review website tells you something, but walking the campus, meeting teachers, and watching students during a real school day tells you more. Steck and Carson both have active parent communities worth connecting with before you enroll. Private schools like Graland and Kent Denver have formal open house seasons each fall.

Step 4: Consider the Full K-12 Arc

Think about where you want your child at 16, not just at 6. A family that starts at Steck Elementary has a clear DPS path to Hill Middle School and then East or GW High School — each a solid step in a coherent public school journey. Families who want private all the way through might choose Graland (K-8) and then Kent Denver (6-12) for seamless private school continuity. Planning the arc early helps avoid mid-stream disruptions.

Why Cherry Creek Attracts Education-Focused Families

Cherry Creek isn’t just a convenient neighborhood — it’s an environment built around the kind of life young families want. The Cherry Creek North shopping district anchors the neighborhood with walkable restaurants, boutiques, and services that create genuine neighborhood vitality. The Cherry Creek Arts Festival, held each July Fourth weekend, brings world-class art and a community gathering that reinforces the area’s cultural identity.

The Cherry Creek Trail system runs directly through the neighborhood, giving families a car-free corridor for biking, walking, and commuting. Cherry Creek State Park is accessible by trail, adding significant outdoor recreation to an already urban-feeling address.

On the real estate side, homes in Cherry Creek command premium prices for good reason. Single-family homes — increasingly rare as the neighborhood has densified with luxury condos and townhomes — sell in the $1.4 million to $3.9 million range depending on size and proximity to Cherry Creek North. The density means the neighborhood has school-age kids walking distance from quality options in every direction. That walkability premium is part of what families pay for.

For parents who care about school quality, Cherry Creek’s combination of strong DPS schools, accessible private options, and a community that values education makes it one of Denver’s most complete family neighborhoods at the premium end of the market.

Frequently Asked Questions