5501 E Vassar Avenue
Denver, CO 80222

I am the parent of an excellent student at CCHS. I recently reviewed the data on where this year’s graduating seniors will be attending college, and I noticed that only a couple of students are going to Top schools. For a high school of this size (more than 3700 students) , that is not acceptable. The data from previous years shows the same pattern.This has also been my experience with my own child. It seems that the school is not interested in investing in the success of its highest-performing students, nor is it truly partnering with their parents. Instead, the school appears to follow more of a “no student left behind” philosophy.My suggestion to the principal would be to personally ensure that the top students are paired with the strongest teachers. Teachers should also be evaluated, in part, based on their success in preparing students for admission to top colleges.My child is enrolled in all AP and honors classes, yet he still has some mediocre teachers—some who do not teach effectively and others who are frequently absent during the school year. This is not the level of instruction that high-achieving students deserve.The principal should also meet with the parents of these top students and involve us more in supporting their academic success.

Both of my children attended Holly Ridge, and it has been the absolute worst experience we’ve had with a school. The principal lacks strong communication and leadership skills, and there seem to be little to no consequences for student behavior. Unfortunately, the assistant principal has been even more difficult to work with.This school would benefit greatly from stronger, more effective leadership. The current environment is disappointing and, at times, frustrating.The front office staff has been kind and helpful, but there has been a lot of turnover as there’s been someone new nearly every year for the past three years, which adds to the instability.Overall, I would not recommend this school. We are very eager to move our children elsewhere.

I attended west during the 24-25 school year. I left for online school halfway through the year because of the bullying i experienced. For some context I come from a lower income household, and i’m somewhat alternative (dyed black hair, comfortable loose clothes like sweatpants and hoodies, a nose piercing.) I was made fun of for living in apartment homes as well as relying on government aid. I was also made fun of for my appearance. Kids would come up to me asking to see my wrists, (insinuating i self harm,) asking if i have depression and other mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (all based on my appearance.) At first, it was simple teasing. Then, it escalated into harassment. I alerted the administration, and they did nothing. I witnessed multiple people being admitted to psychiatric hospitals because of the anxiety that this school brought on. This school is very “cliquey”. If your child has a hard time making friends, is openly LGBT or alternative, or a racial minority, they will be singled out. This school is very racist. I don’t recommend sending your child here if they’re a racial minority because they WILL be discriminated against. As for curriculum and teachers, the curriculum is boring. Most teachers are nice and genuinely care about their jobs. However, others not so much. The administration is awful, and so is the district. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE!