East High School

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 a parent

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 a parent

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..
—Submitted by a parent

As an East High graduate, I can tell you that the special thing about East has little to do with test scores. As a school it certainly has always produced fine academicians. The intangible something that is East comes from the people and the spirit from all that have gone before. It is not just some old building. It is a thriving and living entity that bridges yesterday and tomorrow. The call to greatness that East instills in its students will affect you for the rest of your life. It is one of the few life changing experiences that you can knowingly participate in. Embrace it. Become an Angel. Change your life

East HS Constitutional Scholars just 3peated, 3 years in a row as N-A-T-I-O-N-A-L Champs. They competed against 49 other teams representing all the other states in the country. Our son competed last year and we took our daughter to DC for the competition. They won because of their hard work [students and teachers,] and extraordinary support of volunteers in the community that formed their training and support network. This is East at its best. THere are opportunities for your student to take advantage of and apply themselves. The principal is closing out on his 2nd year and is great, weekly meals with students, always extending himself with them and staff. It is a very very solid life / educational learning environment for the student and family that fits it.
—Submitted by a parent

This is such a great school. My child enjoys it soo much and is doing extremly well in school!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son graduated last year and my daughter will be attending next year. We were very pleased with the education he received there. There is a new principal who my son loved and who is 'real', communicates with the kids and really cares. The feedback I got from staff is extremely positive. Read what the first 4 kids wrote, East is a solid place, real world experience of getting along with all types of kids [except rich suburban kids who live in the sterile burbs...]. My son was in the high level classes and had teachers who cared about him and were in contact with us. He learned how to think, analyze, really write and be his own person. He took advantage of opportunities at East and grew from them. I could not have asked for more from a public school educational environment
—Submitted by a parent

This school is out standing the principal is the best principal i have ever had in the 11 years ive been in school. Mr Youngquest cares about everything there is to care about at our school and since hes been there the school has been in the best shape and environment ever.
—Submitted by a student

I am a new freshman at this school, and i absolutely love it. everybody is so different, the teachers are great, and i have inquired a massive amount of information already. there are so many different choices of class, and the athletic program is amazing. i recommend taking speech!
—Submitted by a student

east is a great learning school
—Submitted by a student

East is an amazing school. You would be hard pressed to find a group of students or alumni prouder of their school than the East High Angels. The education is great, teachers are caring, and it is a diverse mix of people. Students learn how to live in the real world.
—Submitted by a student

I absolutely loved East. I got a quality education that cradit-wise allowed me to enter college as a junior and learned about what I feel the 'real world' is like. It doesn't have a suburban or rich feel as well, being in the heart of Denver and has great arts, sprts and academics.
—Submitted by a student

East is such an amazing school! The kids there are humorous and always have open minds, all children I know that go there think it's awesome! The teachers are entertaining and really have great learning methods. I really recommend it!

Overall East is a great choice for motivated students with an open mind. The academics at East are top notch for juniors and seniors in AP and X classes, and are adequate for freshman and sophomore classes. Athletics are top of the line: Boys basketball are state champions, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, cross country, tennis, and gymnastics are all very good. The theatre company and art program are very strong. The open campus system gives students real world responsibility, and puts them ahead of the game for college.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is of good quality but certainly not better than that. East has some excellent teachers, but in the main the teaching staff is mediocre. There are also a significant number of ghastly poor teachers. The administration has removed only a handful of poor teachers over the last six years. In general, the school is poorly run and poorly managed. Often, army-like commands substitute for a real discipline strategy. Some parents participate a great deal.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent who volunteers at East and who has kids who attend, I can tell you that overall the school is good. The teachers work hard with disrespectful students and a lot of parents who are worse than their children. Parents enable students to glide by without taking responsibility for their actions. Also, unfortunately, sports dictate the environment of the school. Academics are second. If you have a child who is moderately self-motivated, he or she will thrive.
—Submitted by a parent

Have two kids at East, have now been there 4 years. Very happy. One daughter had some problems last year (acting out by ditching, drinking), and when I reached out to teachers/counselor for help, I literally cried tears of joy at their responses. Each one not only responded, but kept in touch about her progress. It was obvious that they were genuinely concerned about my girl - that says a lot. The guidance toward college is stellar - meetings, announcements, emails, one-on-ones - the counselors are to be highly commended for this. My girls have been in some regular classes, many X, and some AP classes, and we've been impressed with all. Drama and stagecraft are amazing. Productions rival local 'pro' theater. Also, I have been to the school many times and have driven many field trips, and the kids are just fantastic. The diversity and more importantly, acceptance is fabulous.
—Submitted by Laura, a parent

Unfortunately, East High School is not what is was in the past and is only surviving because of past accomplishments. Once you have a student in the school, you quickly discover that things are not as advertised. DPS claims to want parental involvement, however the teachers discourage involvement by not returning phone calls and/or e-mails. Teacher absenteeism his high (or at least it was for my son) and 'most' of the teachers do not use or update the only tool available (Infinite Campus) for parents to monitor their child's grades. Politics have a strangle hold on the athletic program, which is why many programs are good but ultimately are not successful. The school could really use a breath of fresh air in its coaching ranks. You can only benefit for a successful historical past for so long. It's time to begin creating a history current students can be proud of later.
—Submitted by a parent

Perhaps the greatest thing about East is it's history.It has the most distinctive architecture of any high school-perhaps any building-in Denver.It is located in an area rich in history and fine old homes with a very diverse population.My father was in the class of 1932 and 4 of his 8 children graduated East.It has many proud traditions such as the Woodbury award. For studenjts willing to challenge themselves, the academic curiculum is better than many private schools and the cultural exposure unparalleled. Its the finest school in Denver, and I am proud to have gone there.
—Submitted by John Bates, a former student

East is a great school and the most diverse in the state. It does however require a motivated student taking a tougher course load for one to e able to say the academics are stellar. The arts at East are easily the best in the district and are parallel to top schools in Colorado. The sports teams are good. Boys lacrosse and boys basketball is really what East is known for. Many of the other teams are great too and their is a large variety of teams that are very easy for anyone to get involved in. Parents and alumni are pretty active in the school, but not as much as a school like Cherry Creek. Overall East is a great school for the right person and has many oppurtunities for those who seek them.
—Submitted by a parent