Test Scores, Graduation Rates Soar in Colorado After School Choice Expands

Denver Public Schools had a 39 percent high school graduation rate, a dropout rate of over 10 percent, and only 1,324 students matriculated to college out of 73,873 in its 2006–2007 class.

A school bus in a file photo. A bill introduced in Colorado would pave the way for schools to conduct annual mental health checks for students. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

COLORADO SPRINGS—In 2007, Colorado ranked 34th in the nation for education, according to a report from CNBC. And within the state, Denver Public Schools (DPS) was in the bottom 10 districts for English language arts and math. At the time, DPS was Colorado’s second-largest district; it has since become the largest.

In its 2006–2007 class, DPS had a 39 percent high school graduation rate, a dropout rate of more than 10 percent, and just 1,324 students—out of 73,873—matriculated at a college.