Original Research by School Decision on Contemporary Learning Academy
Contemporary Learning Academy is an alternative high school serving grades nine through twelve in Denver. As an alternative school within Denver Public Schools, it is designed for students who may benefit from a non-traditional academic setting, and that purpose shapes every aspect of what a family would encounter here. The school’s classification as an alternative school is the primary identifier; families considering this school should understand that it exists to serve students for whom a conventional comprehensive high school environment has not been a good fit, offering a smaller, more individualized approach.
The enrollment is small for a high school and draws a student body that reflects the diversity of Denver. Hispanic students make up the largest share of the population, followed by Black students, with a comparatively smaller group of white students and small numbers of multiracial and American Indian or Alaska Native students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of many families the school serves. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not present in the available records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports available for those populations.
In terms of academic performance, state testing data was not available for this school. Because the school is an alternative setting, this kind of gap is common and does not carry the same meaning it would for a traditional high school; the student population and the school’s mission mean that standard accountability metrics often do not capture the progress students make here. Similarly, a four-year graduation rate was not reported, which again reflects the nature of the school rather than a missing measure. A parent visiting the school should ask how the school defines and tracks student progress toward a diploma or other credential.
The school is part of Denver Public Schools, which has made several recent district-level changes that affect families across the city. Voters approved a significant bond measure in 2024, the largest in district history, for facility improvements, safety upgrades, technology, and new school construction. A district-wide literacy curriculum shift began in the 2023-2024 school year, adopting evidence-based reading instruction for elementary grades, which may be relevant for families with younger children in the district. A unified enrollment system for school choice was launched for the 2024-2025 school year, changing how families apply to and select schools. In 2022, voters approved a mill levy override to increase teacher pay and expand mental health services in schools.
Denver itself is a major consolidated city-county and state capital, functioning as the principal commercial and transportation hub for the Rocky Mountain West and Great Plains region. The economy spans telecommunications, aviation and aerospace, software, financial services, health care, and tourism, with several Fortune firms headquartered in the city. The downtown area near Civic Center Park and the State Capitol is dense with cultural institutions, including the Denver Art Museum and Denver Performing Arts Complex. More than a few parks are within the city limits, and bicycle paths cross the city. The built environment ranges from a dense, gridded downtown to residential neighborhoods that spread into the foothills to the west and the high plains to the east. The city has experienced sustained population growth over time, and the metropolitan area now forms a nearly continuous corridor along the Front Range. Housing values and rents in the area place it above the national median, and the cost of housing is a factor families moving to Denver will encounter.
For a family or student considering Contemporary Learning Academy, the central question is whether an alternative, small-school setting with a focus on individualized support is the right fit. The available data is thin on traditional academic measures, which is consistent with the school’s type. A visit and direct conversation with the school about its approach, its graduation pathways, and the support it offers students would be the most useful next step for anyone trying to determine if this environment matches a student’s needs.
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