The top reported proficiency rate is 59% in English language arts. The lowest is 33% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Jefferson County Open Secondary
Jefferson County Open Secondary serves about 300 students in grades seven through twelve in Lakewood, a large suburban city just west of Denver. The school is a regular public school within Jefferson County School District R-1, the same district that serves the broader community. Unlike many secondary schools in the area, this one is relatively small, which shapes the experience: students attend a school where the overall population is modest enough that most people know each other, yet it spans the full range of middle and high school grades in a single building.
The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial share of Hispanic students and smaller numbers of students who identify with two or more races, as well as very small numbers of Black, Asian, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. Data on economic disadvantage and special education status was not reported, so it is not possible to describe the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals or who receive special education services. That is a gap a family might want to ask the school about.
On state assessments, the school's results sit below the county midpoint in several subjects. In math, less than half of test-takers scored at the proficient or advanced level, and the share was notably lower than the averages seen across many Jefferson County schools. In English language arts, a majority of students met the proficient benchmark, which is a relative bright spot. Eighth-grade science results were also below half proficient. These numbers suggest that a student who is already at or above grade level in reading is likely to find a solid peer group, but math preparation is an area where families should look closely at how well the school supports students who are not yet on track.
Jefferson County Open Secondary does not report a graduation rate in the available data. That is an important missing piece, and any family considering this school should ask directly about four-year and extended-year graduation outcomes. Similarly, chronic absenteeism data is absent, so it is hard to gauge how consistently students attend class. Without these measures, a central part of the school's effectiveness is not documented in the public record.
The school sits within a district that has seen significant changes recently. In 2024, Jeffco voters approved a large bond measure for capital improvements, safety upgrades, and technology, the first such bond passed in many years, so families can expect facility and technology investments to reach schools including this one. The district also adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum aligned with Colorado's READ Act, though that change primarily affects younger grades. More consequential for secondary families: the district announced a plan to close a number of schools in 2023 due to declining enrollment and budget deficits, then reversed the decision after community pushback. A consolidation committee is now studying enrollment trends and capacity, meaning boundary changes or school closures remain a possibility. In the same November 2024 election, three school board members were recalled and replaced, a sign of ongoing tension around transparency and consolidation. These governance shifts create uncertainty for anyone choosing a school in Jeffco.
Lakewood itself is a classic postwar suburb that matured into a full-service city. It has no traditional downtown; the closest is Belmar, a walkable mixed-use redevelopment on the site of a former mall. The Denver Federal Center, St. Anthony Hospital, and several higher education campuses anchor the local economy. Housing values and rents are above national averages, reflecting the broader Denver metro area's cost of living, though values recently showed a slight decline. The RTD W Line light rail runs through the city with seven stations, providing transit access to downtown Denver.
For a family weighing this school, the central question is fit. Jefferson County Open Secondary is a small, regular public school serving a wide grade band with test results that are middling in the local context. Its strengths appear to lie in English instruction and potentially in the close-knit environment of a smaller school. The gaps in available data on graduation and chronic absenteeism, along with the broader district turbulence, mean a thorough visit and direct conversation with the school leadership are warranted before making a decision.
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