East High School

1600 City Park Esplanade

School District

Denver County 1
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Denver County 1 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by student on February 15, 2025

It's quite a good school. Definitely worth it for all the resources they have available and overall diversity of thought. Many different students from a wide variety of backgrounds and ability to cater to practically any interests through involvement. It can be easy if you want it to be, and it can be challenging if you want it to be. You can really focus on your areas of interest and the freedom students can be given it very nice. The principal is friendly as is most of the rest of the faculty. Some teachers can be notably unreasonably annyoing but for the most part they're friendly and helpful.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2021

I have three students at East- a senior, a junior and a sophomore. I was hopeful that with the previous Principal retiring; things would get better. They have not. Requests to speak with counselors and assistant principals go ignored.My kids complain that many teachers seem lazy and just do the minimum.My oldest daughter cuts classes regularly. I asked that the assistant principal contact me to have a conversation with her. A week later, he still hasn’t gotten back to me.To be fair, there are many teachers who stay after hours to help students and clearly try to do the best they can for students. Sadly, many do not.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2016

If your kid get bullied or threatened at East, don't expect the school to do anything. My son was threatened by a school mate along with 2 other students. The school told us to report to the police because it happened outside campus. They knew who threatened my son but they didn't care. The way the dean and assistant principal handled this issue was terrible. They even lied about things they didn't do. Since we were nobody, of course they didn't care. No way my son is going back to East. No wonder school violence and bullying are so bad.
Submitted by other on September 09, 2016

They are very rude at east high school. They don't introduce you to anyone there or even show you around the school. How are you supposed to know where to find you're child if something bad happens when you as the parent don't know even know where to find you're child or who they may be with. Also the education system in Denver Colorado just sucks completely. Denver is not a big supporter of children with autism or any other kind of problems that children may have.
Submitted by other on May 04, 2016

East is an uncommon school in Denver for its diversity, opportunity, and student-directed programs. There is lots for kids to take advantage of here, but your student has to ask for it, raise their hand, participate. Otherwise, possible to get lost.
Submitted by other on June 10, 2015

East High School held some of the best experiences of my life. I moved to Denver from Winter Park CO when I was going into my freshman year. It was extremely difficult moving from a high school with 400 students total to a high school of 2200 students, but I wouldn't change a THING. Being heavily involved in music, both the choir teacher and the band teacher were, and STILL are top of the line musicians as well as fantastic teachers. Although I didn't have the best test scores and I wasn't valedictorian, my education at East landed me at a BIG10 school in of the best music schools in the country where I am still continuing to study music. My point being, at East High School you can be, do, and accomplish anything you want. The teachers will be right by your side cheering you on as long as you put in the work. I found my passion at this high school, not to mention a ton of other friends who had so many different passions. If you are lucky enough to send your child to this school, I promise it is an amazing choice. I still return to the fourth floor every now and then to witness the unforgettable view of the city.
Submitted by other on April 06, 2015

excellent performing arts and sports program. Teaching staff is involved and interested in student development
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2014

In many ways this is a very good school & I'm willing to delete the comment & write about all the great stuff. One appalling flaw that I and many other parents have brought up for more than this year to admin is the practice in 1 Spanish rm. The teacher uses like a roulette wheel for kids to earn 'pesos' for participating in class. They participate (if called on), spin a wheel thing, then where ever it lands is how many pesos the kid gets. Don't know exactly-there are various numbers from 0-100 on the wheel. Kids buy pesos from other kids so they can get their participation grade up (a friend in my kid's class has pd > $25 for pesos this yr from others who gets picked all the time and has more pesos than they need.) If they get a bad grade on the final exam, they can hand in any extra pesos to make their grade better. One kid who has tons of pesos has been saying that they can fail the final next wk & still get an A. How about the kid that doesn't get picked often & doesn't have $ to buy pesos from others? Admin people says the roulette is used in many foreign lang classes to get kids to participate more. Admin says the buying of pesos isn't taking place anymore- false.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2014

We are new to the city and we knew East HS would be a big change for my 9th grade daughter. It has been the very best change. The school culture is one of accepting all people as they are. Students can be who they want to be. Because of this my daughter has completely blossomed. She is so much more confident and happier. She is actually excited to go to school each day! It is not a cookie cutter, fit the "middle class, white, very christian, athlete" mold (as it was before we moved). There is so much diversity and yet, everyone seems to meld together and respect others even if they are different. It is a very safe school and while there is open lunch where the students can walk to Colfax for lunch and after school, police presence and dean presence is strong. They do not mess around if they think students are involved with drugs or fighting. The academics are great as with most college prep high schools. They offer many AP classes and honors classes. Choir and drama seem to be huge, as does Speech and Debate, and Basketball. Going to East has been life changing for my very miserable middle schooler! Love it!!
Submitted by other on February 27, 2014

This school is great good sports teams good students and great academics also the teachers are really fun and caring.
Submitted by student on October 02, 2013

This school is amazing. There is a wide range of challenging classes available, the athletics are awesome, and the arts programs are equally remarkable. The teachers get better and better as the classes increase in difficulty. However, it is also known for being a "party" school.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2013

Simply put, East is extraordinary. Although the school has a strong athletic tradition, the competitive academic environment and diverse culture is what really sets East apart. There is tremendous pride that comes with being an Angel.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2013

My daughter is finishing up her freshman year at East. This is not our neighborhood high school but she was lucky to get accepted during the choice process. East has been fantastic. Great honors courses, fabulous drama and choir program, amazing school spirit and diversity (both racial and socioeconomic). She has thrived here and I couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2011

My son is a junior at Denver East High, and it has been a wonderful school for him. The Honors and AP classes are very challenging, and he has learned to think, debate, analyze and reason. I've been impressed with nearly every teacher he's had over the past 3 years. They are engaged and clearly love what they do. The school spirit is amazing, and it has richly rounded out my son's high school experience. He's has the opportunity to participate in the school debate program, the Spotlight newspaper, the cycling club and the rugby team. His friends play tennis, soccer, ultimate frisbee, participate on the Constitutional Scholars and NHS. East is truly a gift to Denver, and the students who have the opportunity to attend there.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2011

I have an average student and find that as an average student my son needs additional tutoring to succeed in school,especially in math. I think East, like most public schools struggles with overcrowding. Teachers have so many students that they do not have time to devote to students on a "one on one" basis. That said, students have to reach out to teachers. If they do, the teachers do respond positively most of the time..