District profile / Colorado
Denver Public Schools
90,471
Students
2024-25 school year
198
Schools
2024-25 school year
$13,804
Spending per student
FY2020-21 · 18% above the Colorado median
15.1
Students per teacher
2024-25 · Colorado median 15.7
Denver Public Schools is a public school district based in Denver, Colorado, serving 90,471 students in 198 schools. By enrollment it ranks #1 of the 68 Colorado districts with 1,000 or more students, making it the largest in the state. Its schools average 457 students each, more than the Colorado median of 399. It spends about $13,804 per student on day-to-day operations, 18% more than the Colorado median. It has roughly 15.1 students per teacher. We've matched 68 news stories to the district.
How Denver compares
DenverColorado median, districts with 1,000+ students
Spending and staffing
Where the money comes from$1.62 billion in revenue · FY2020-21
Federal 12%State 15%Local 73%
| Measure | Denver | Colorado median | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current spending per student | $13,804 | $11,673 | FY2020-21 |
| Instruction spending per student | $6,472 | $6,347 | FY2020-21 |
| Total spending | $1.59 billion | n/a | FY2020-21 |
| Total revenue | $1.62 billion | n/a | FY2020-21 |
| Teachers (full-time equivalent) | 6,006 | n/a | 2024-25 |
| Total staff (full-time equivalent) | 15,012 | n/a | 2024-25 |
| Students per teacher | 15.1 | 15.7 | 2024-25 |
| Students per counselor | 455 | 257 | 2024-25 |
Spending: NCES school district finance survey (F-33), FY2020-21. Staffing and enrollment: NCES Common Core of Data, 2024-25. Via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. The Colorado median compares districts with 1,000 or more students.
Leadership
Moves tracker →In the news
68 stories matchedInfrastructure
Denver Public Schools bus involved in WB I-70 crash, FOX31 Denver
Policy & legislation
In Denver, a 3-school effort to take advantage of the federal tax credit scholarship program
School safety
Phantom K9 dogs working in Denver schools receive training on weapons detection
School safety
Denver Public Schools’ weapon detection K-9s undergo recertification training
School safety
Denver Public Schools shows off K-9 safety units as a new means to keep schools safe
Infrastructure
12 applicants for Denver school board vacancy talk about school closures, rebuilding trust
Budget & finance
A tax increase to fund Denver Public Schools appears to pass
Policy & legislation
Denver Public Schools Ballot Issue 4A 2026 election results: Live updates
Infrastructure
Denver Public Schools weighs future of school closure policies amid declining enrollment
Teaching & learning
With neighbors frustrated, DPS 'confident' deal will add parking at Northfield High School
Infrastructure
Grant funding provides for new electric buses for Denver Public Schools
Teaching & learning
Denver Schools Add Four Gifted Magnet Sites in First Expansion in Over a Decade
Leadership
Former board president opposes Denver Public Schools mill levy override, says leadership has "failed our children"
Teaching & learning
Denver Public Schools adds four gifted and talented programs, expands magnet schools for first time in 15 years
Budget & finance
Denver Public Schools turning to voters to raise the mill levy
Budget & finance
Measure for Denver schools would raise property taxes again
Leadership
Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero earns 88 points out of 100 on latest evaluation
Leadership
Denver Superintendent Marrero Scores 88% on 2025-26 Evaluation
Leadership
Denver school board finds Superintendent Alex Marrero met 88% of his goals
Leadership
Denver school board vacancy nets 13 applicants, including former board member and two former candidates
Leadership
13 people apply to fill a vacancy on the Denver school board, which has been mired in conflict
Teaching & learning
Denver to Close Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy, a Tiny HBCU-Style High School, After 6 Years
Teaching & learning
How Denver Public Schools prepares for emergencies: A dispatch center and individual school plans
Teaching & learning
Denver Public Schools' $11M Centennial Hall Acquisition
Infrastructure
How Denver Public Schools prepares its 195 campuses for emergencies
Leadership
ICE releases Ugandan priest; District 8 candidates talk taxes, climate, AI; Sundance moves HQ in union dispute; Declining school enrollment may force closure of Denver schools
Teaching & learning
NO boundary changes for Denver Public Schools
Teaching & learning
Denver Public Schools piloting new gym class, brings together students with and without disabilities
Teaching & learning
The destination was their art: DPS students get special trip through DIA
Teaching & learning
Denver to close Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy, a tiny HBCU-style high school, after 6 years
Peer districts in Colorado
Compare side by side →| District | Students | Schools | Spending per student | Students per teacher | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Public SchoolsDenver · this district | 90,471 | 198 | $13,804 | 15.1 | #1 |
| Jeffco Public SchoolsGolden | 73,532 | 144 | $11,419 | 16.7 | #2 |
| Douglas County School District No. Re 1Castle Rock | 61,243 | 88 | $10,792 | 17.4 | #3 |
| Cherry Creek School District No. 5Greenwood Village | 51,980 | 69 | $12,711 | 16.2 | #4 |
| Aurora Public SchoolsAurora | 38,702 | 58 | $14,853 | 16.6 | #5 |
Similar-size districts nationally
| District | Students | Spending per student | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb CountyStone Mountain, GA | 91,752 | $13,668 | 13.6 |
| Prince William County Public SchoolsManassas, VA | 90,242 | $13,020 | 15.2 |
| Pinellas County SchoolsLargo, FL | 87,876 | $11,039 | 15.9 |
| Fulton CountyAtlanta, GA | 87,019 | $12,506 | 14.1 |
Peers are the districts closest in enrollment, so they can still differ in many other ways. Enrollment, school counts and phone numbers are from the NCES Common Core of Data, 2024-25.
Printed from Superintendent's Corner: https://superintendentscorner.com/district-co-denver-public-schools