More than 43,000 students are enrolled in Cherry Creek School District, the fourth-largest in the state, and one of the top-performing in Colorado. Several schools in the district have been recognized by 5280 Magazine as "Denver's Top Schools", based in part, on graduation rates, the Colorado Department of Education's school accountability rankings and standardized test scores.
Private education in the area is offered by St. Mary's Academy and Kent Denver School. St. Mary's Academy, a Catholic, independent school has been recognized three times by the U.S. Department of Education as a "School of Excellence/Blue Ribbon School". Founded in 1864, St. Mary's is the fifth oldest, private institution in Denver and serves co-ed students in grades K-8 and girls only in grades 9-12.
Nearby, Kent Denver School provides a college preparatory-focused curriculum to 659 students (in middle school and high school). Among Kent Denver students, the average ACT score is 27.9. The school, spread out on 200 acres, includes two lakes, five academic buildings with 43 classrooms and labs, a theater, and six studios for music, dance and art. The campus also features three computer labs and is fully wired for electronic communication. Rounding out the school are numerous athletic amenities, including: two gymnasiums, a fitness and sports medicine center, seven tennis courts, and 20 acres of playing fields.