The top reported proficiency rate is 27% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Highline Academy Northeast
Highline Academy Northeast is a charter elementary school in Denver, serving students from preschool through fifth grade. It is part of Denver Public Schools, one of the largest and most complex districts in the region. The school sits in the northeast portion of the city, an area of Denver that has seen considerable residential growth in recent decades, with housing values in the zip code around the midpoint for the metro area while rents have been easing slightly. The neighborhood context is suburban in feel relative to the dense downtown core, with a mix of single-family homes and newer developments.
The school enrolls a notably diverse student body. Black students make up the largest single group, followed by Hispanic and then Asian students, with White students and multiracial students each comprising a smaller share. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, making this a school serving a predominantly low-income population. Data on the share of students with disabilities or designated as English learners was not available, so a family with a child in either category would want to ask the school directly about its support structures.
Highline Academy Northeast is a charter school, which means it operates with some autonomy from the district but remains a public school that families choose through Denver's school choice enrollment system. The district recently consolidated its school choice process into a single unified enrollment system, so applying here follows that same district-wide timeline and procedure. As a charter, the school likely has its own instructional approach or mission.
On state assessments, the school's results are in a lower range. Proficiency in math, English language arts, and science each fall well below the midpoint among elementary schools tested in Denver County, placing the school in the bottom quartile when compared with other schools in the district. A parent considering this school should be aware that academic attainment as measured by these state tests is a soft spot and may want to discuss with the school how it addresses core instruction and what support it offers for students who are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks. The participation rates on the tests were high, which gives confidence that the results reflect the student population as a whole.
The district itself is in the middle of several significant changes that affect all its schools, including Highline Academy Northeast. Voters approved a large bond measure and a mill levy override in recent years, providing substantial funding for facility upgrades and new construction district-wide, as well as increased teacher pay and expanded mental health services. The district also adopted a new literacy curriculum across elementary grades that is aligned with the science of reading, which directly affects how reading is taught in the early grades at this school.
For families considering Highline Academy Northeast, it is a school that serves a diverse, low-income population in a growing part of Denver. The academic results on state tests are lower than those of many other Denver elementary schools, so this is a factor to investigate further with the school, particularly around how it is working to improve student outcomes. The school’s charter status gives it a distinct identity within the larger district, and the recent district investments in facilities, teacher pay, and mental health support are likely to be felt at the building level.
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