The top reported proficiency rate is 8% in English language arts. The lowest is 4% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Montbello High School
Montbello High School is a regular public high school in Denver, serving grades nine through twelve as part of Denver Public Schools. Located in the Montbello neighborhood on the city’s eastern side, the school draws from a densely populated urban setting within a major consolidated city-county and state capital.
On the state assessments that Colorado administers for high school students, proficiency rates at Montbello were low in both math and English language arts. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it in the bottom quarter when compared with other districts across Denver County. A parent considering Montbello will want to understand what academic supports are in place and how the school approaches instruction for students who enter below grade level. The data we looked at did not include a four-year graduation rate, chronic absenteeism figures, or information on student discipline or staffing, so those dimensions are not available for this account.
The student body is large for a high school and reflects a predominantly Hispanic and Black enrollment, with smaller shares of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Asian, white, or multiracial. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community where economic need is high. No breakdown of students with disabilities or English learners was reported in the data we had.
As part of Denver Public Schools, Montbello operates within a district that has seen several recent shifts. In November 2024, Denver voters approved a record bond measure funding facility upgrades, safety improvements, and new construction across the system. A mill levy override passed in 2022 increased teacher pay and mental health resources. The district also implemented a new K-5 literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading and launched a unified enrollment system for school choice beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. These district-wide changes may affect how Montbello’s programs and resources evolve, though the school’s own course offerings, career pathways, or Advanced Placement options were not detailed in the available data.
Denver itself is a principal commercial, transportation, and industrial hub for the Rocky Mountain West, with an economy spanning telecommunications, aerospace, software, health care, and tourism. The city has sustained population growth and a diversified employment base, while its downtown anchors cultural institutions, professional sports, and government offices. Housing values in the school’s ZIP code area have seen a modest decline over the past year, and rents have risen slightly, consistent with broader national trends. The affordability picture nationally shows that renting is less expensive than buying in the current mortgage rate environment, a factor families may weigh when considering the area.
Montbello High School fits a family who values a large, diverse urban high school within a district that is investing in infrastructure and literacy reform, and who is prepared to engage directly with the school about its academic performance. The low proficiency results and bottom-quartile standing among Denver County districts are important facts a parent should raise with school leadership to understand what intervention programs, tutoring, or curriculum adjustments are being used to raise achievement.
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