#1 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Fountain Valley School of Colorado
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
A+Overall grade233 students5 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Colorado
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Colorado. Top 30 of 30 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Ricks Center for Gifted Children
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 79% of independent schools in Colorado
Denver, CO
A+Overall grade157 students4 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Bixby School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
The smallest classes of any independent school in Boulder
Boulder, CO
A+Overall grade93 students4 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Steamboat Mountain School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs, CO
AOverall grade190 students5 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Shining Mtn. Waldorf High School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Boulder, CO
AOverall grade188 students5 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
The McClelland School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Pueblo
Pueblo, CO
AOverall grade75 students6 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 74% of independent schools in Colorado
Carbondale, CO
A-Overall grade175 students4 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Boulder Valley Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 68% of independent schools in Colorado
Niwot, CO
A-Overall grade95 students5 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Kent Denver School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The only independent school in Englewood
Englewood, CO
B+Overall grade761 students9 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Boulder Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest independent school in Boulder
Boulder, CO
B+Overall grade281 students6 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Stanley British Primary School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Denver, CO
B+Overall grade463 students7 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Colorado Rocky Mountain School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
97% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Carbondale, CO
B+Overall grade175 students8 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Telluride Mountain School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Telluride, CO
B+Overall grade82 students7 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Vail Mountain School
Independent school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Vail, CO
B+Overall grade401 students7 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
The Peak School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
Growing: enrollment up 80% since 2013–14
Frisco, CO
B+Overall grade81 students6 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Evergreen Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Evergreen
Evergreen, CO
B+Overall grade141 students6 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Watershed School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Boulder, CO
BOverall grade114 students7 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Graland Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Colorado
Denver, CO
BOverall grade651 students6 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Northern Colorado Christian Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
Growing: enrollment up 88% since 2019–20
Eaton, CO
BOverall grade113 students6 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Mackintosh Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Littleton
Littleton, CO
BOverall grade123 students8 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Colorado Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 46 independent schools in Colorado
Denver, CO
BOverall grade1,009 students
#22 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Rivendell School of Northern Colorado
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
The only independent school in Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO
BOverall grade122 students11 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
Steamboat Mountain School
Independent school · Grades K–12
88% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Steamboat Springs, CO
BOverall grade181 students6 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in Colorado
International School of Denver
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Denver, CO
BOverall grade530 students7 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.