Original Research by School Decision on Riseup Community School
RiseUp Community School is an alternative high school in downtown Denver, serving grades nine through twelve. It is a charter school within Denver Public Schools. The school’s small enrollment is concentrated in the upper grades, with the largest group in grade twelve. The student body is majority Hispanic, with a substantial Black population and a smaller White population, and a very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Because the school serves only high school grades and falls into the alternative school category, state assessment data and a graduation rate were not available in the data reviewed, and it could not be compared on those measures relative to other districts in Denver County. A parent should look into this further with the school to understand how academic progress and completion are tracked and defined for its students.
The location on Broadway Street places the school in the heart of Denver, near downtown civic and cultural institutions. The city itself is a major state capital and commercial hub with a diversified economy spanning telecommunications, aviation, aerospace, software, financial services, health care, and government. Denver has professional sports teams in five leagues and headquarters for several Fortune-ranked firms. The downtown area includes the State Capitol, Civic Center Park, the Denver Art Museum, and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The city has more parks and bicycle paths than many comparable urban centers. The school sits within the Denver Public Schools system, which in recent years has undergone several district-wide changes. Voters approved a large bond measure in 2024 for facility improvements, safety upgrades, and new construction across the district. A district-wide literacy curriculum shift aligned with the science of reading began in elementary grades in the 2023-2024 school year. A unified enrollment system for school choice launched for the 2024-2025 school year, changing how families apply to and select schools. A mill levy override approved in 2022 increased teacher pay and expanded mental health services. These district-level initiatives shape the broader context in which RiseUp operates.
The housing market in the surrounding area reflects Denver’s high cost of living. Home values are above the national average, and rents are also elevated. The estimated monthly mortgage payment and the typical rent both take up a meaningful share of a typical household income, making affordability a consideration for families in this market. The school’s downtown address is near major transit and employment centers, which may be relevant for families commuting within the city.
The alternative school designation means RiseUp exists to serve students who may benefit from a different structure than a traditional comprehensive high school. The student body data shows a very high poverty rate, and the school’s grade-level enrollment tilts heavily toward twelfth grade, suggesting it may serve older students working toward a diploma outside a conventional four-year timeline. Without state testing or graduation rate data, the standard public-facing accountability metrics are absent. This is not unusual for an alternative school, as these measures are often not applicable or not publicly reported in the same way, but it leaves a gap in what a family can learn from the data alone. A family considering this school would want to ask directly about academic progress measures, graduation expectations, postsecondary pathways, and the specific supports offered for students who have struggled in traditional settings. The school’s charter status gives it operational flexibility, but it remains part of Denver Public Schools and subject to the district’s enrollment policies and oversight. The teacher staffing and discipline data were also missing, so those questions would need to come from the school as well.
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