Total enrollment
114,610
+6,414 (+6%) vs SY 2020-21
Arapahoe County
Colorado · Public K-12
Of the public K-12 schools operating across Colorado, 176 sit inside Arapahoe County, collectively enrolling roughly 115,502 students (111 elementary, 27 middle, and 29 high).
4-year change in Arapahoe County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
170
+3 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Arapahoe County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Colorado | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 34.3% | #19 of 34 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 115,502 | #1 of 41 | #79 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 172 | #3 of 41 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 17.8:1 | #39 of 41 | #2,423 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 50.2% | #21 of 41 | #1,609 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 70.2% | #1 of 40 | #92 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Arapahoe County school rankings
Residents
659,844
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
176
11 districts
Enrollment
115,502
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$101,087
Above Colorado avg
Free/reduced lunch
50.2%
Below Colorado avg
Elementary
111
52,436 students
Middle
27
18,419 students
High
29
37,194 students
Combined / other
9
7,453 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Cherry Creek School District
52,099 students · 11 districts in Arapahoe County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Arapahoe County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
46.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.0%
civilian labor
Median age
37
22.6% under 18
Test scores in Arapahoe County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 124 schools ranked. Colorado state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Challenge School· 91.3%
- Aurora Quest K-8· 87.2%
- Cherry Creek Charter Academy· 83.9%
- Cherry Hills Village Elementary School· 76.8%
- Dry Creek Elementary School· 76.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
Cities in Arapahoe County
About Arapahoe County
Arapahoe County is a high-population Colorado county of about 659,844 residents, home to 176 public schools and roughly 115,502 students.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show the median household earns about $101,087 a year, 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 6%. That income level is 31% above the Colorado median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Arapahoe County spans 111 elementary schools (52,436 students), 27 middle schools (18,419), 29 high schools (37,194), and 9 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Arapahoe County is Cherry Creek School District, which alone enrolls about 52,099 students.
Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 114,610 students, expanded 6% from the 108,196 reported in SY 2020-21. The school count climbed from 167 to 170 across the same 4-year window.
On allk12, the community for Arapahoe County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data