Cherry Creek High School

Posted: March 13, 2026

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.

Posted: March 13, 2026

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Posted: April 1, 2024

Cherry Creek High School may not be suitable for every student, especially those in need of academic and mental health support. Due to its large size, the school struggles to provide individualized attention to each student. Teachers have the autonomy to implement their own teaching methods, grading systems, and offer extra credit, resulting in inconsistent academic experiences and disparities in GPAs. Unlike other schools in the district, Cherry Creek High School follows a rigid schedule with eight classes per day, limiting opportunities for in-depth learning. Additionally, the workload of counselors and deans may hinder personalized support and college counseling services, often necessitating outside assistance for students who do not fit the school's mold.

Posted: April 1, 2024

Posted: November 30, 2023

The school is for the rich only, it is not diverse. It breeds snobs. They look down on other schools and people outside the little circumference of where they live.

Posted: November 30, 2023

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Posted: July 17, 2022

Graduated from Creek and I was later surprised at how good of an experience and preparation it was. College was much easier than Creek, because I was treated like an adult and given real responsibility.

I took mostly AP classes my last two years, and most of my teachers had PhD’s in their field, we’re really excited about their work, and we’re really passionate about working with students. Regardless of who you are, the teachers would make time to talk to you and help you out if you had any questions. The honors / AP classes in general have a spectacular teaching staff, and the students are more engaged.

I loved that on the cross country team and track teams (the sports I did) the coaches let everyone participate, and you got to be with the folks at your talent level. I was B team cross country, which was perfect for me. The coaches cared for us, taught us how to run and take care of ourselves as if we were going to be lifelong runners.

I didn’t come from a wealthy family, so I didn’t have the nicest car in the parking lot, but I felt like that’s a good life lesson. There’s always someone wealthier than you out there, and that’s ok. I was able to distinguish myself on my merits, and the school cared about my performance, not my parents.

I didn’t really interact with the special education or mental health counseling team, so don’t have anything to say about them one way or another.

It was challenging, but nothing worthwhile has ever been easy. I’m very grateful I got to go to Creek.

Posted: July 17, 2022

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Posted: February 12, 2022

I went to this school for all 4 years of high school. From what I saw, the only kids that get a good experience here are over privileged rich white kids that live in the surrounding neighborhoods. There’s a mass amount of homework every night and no time to do it. I lived far away and couldn’t afford my own car nor did I have parents that could. I had to wait for my mom to get out of work so she could pick me up, then get home at around 5:00 pm, eat dinner, clean up, shower, and only then could I do my homework. I would do some homework while I waited for my mom but the library was only open for so long. That left me staying up until around 1:00 am doing homework if I had the energy. As a result, my grades were low and teachers don’t care to converse with you unless it’s about rich people stuff like golf and vacations. I felt that teachers assumed my grades were low because I was dumb or lazy and didn’t bother asking or reaching out to see if I was okay. The kids are snobby and only converse with people that dress in lululemon and have rocket scientist parents. Not to mention the sports were not affordable for anyone below upper class. I felt super out of place being from Aurora and had only one teacher show any sort of concern for my mental health. Despite the fact that this school is in a good area, they have a lot of drug problems. I remember my friend getting suspended for a few months for possession. These kids have a lot of money from their parents and use it for drugs whether it’s to sell or to buy. If it weren’t for covid-19, I’m not sure I would’ve had the willpower to graduate. It took a lot out of me and moving online was a blessing for me. I’m almost 19 now and I’m still burnt out from waking up at 6:00 am for 5 days a week and sleeping 5 hours a night. I only went here because my mom wanted my sister and I to get a good education. All we got was treated poorly and burnt out. This school is strictly built for the rich.

Posted: February 12, 2022

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Posted: April 23, 2021

The school is by far the best high school in the state of Colorado. My kid went here for 4 years and there is nothing to complain about. She did best in her class and the school made her the best person who can compete with anyone in any environment. As far as my knowledge goes, at least 22 kids from every batch get into the top 10 colleges including Ivy League, MIT, G Tech, CMU, U Wash, NYU to name a few. The programs offered especially Math, Science, Sports, and Reading are excellent and all teachers are very strict in grading the students. Any student with an 'A' is considered to be best not in the subject but also all top-ranked colleges have honored these grades. In that way, the school differs from other schools. I would highly recommend the the school to all those parents who are looking for challenging and higher subjects for their kids. The school offers up to linear algebra in Math, Medical Student programs, Advance Comp Science, Robotics, Special Science Fair, Advance Debate programs, Advance Business programs, Synchronise industrial programs, and many more which other schools can't afford to offer.

The teachers and staffs are very knowledgeable and helpful for anyone who looks for help.

Posted: April 23, 2021

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Posted: February 20, 2020

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Posted: February 20, 2020

My daughter is an above average student who has come back to Creek after a year at another school. This school by far is more of everything. You will get out of it what you put into it, no doubt, but the opportunities to participate and be a part of something if you want to be are many. We have no worries she will be ready and prepared for college. I can't say enough about how much happier she is this year. The class choices, availability of classes to all, and approachable teachers are the reason.

Posted: November 8, 2019

My daughter has never been overwhelmed with homework during her 4 years at Creek. The district has even spent time discussing the amount of homework and taking student mental health into consideration.

Posted: November 8, 2019

One of the best, most competent staffs you will find in any Colorado high school.

Posted: November 8, 2019

Like any large high school, you get out of the experience what you put in. If your student takes advantage of the many opportunities at Creek to get involved, they will leave Creek with strong character and will be well prepared for college.

Posted: November 8, 2019

The administration is amazing at Creek. They are present and approachable. They are visible at most school events and are genuinely concerned about our students.

Posted: November 8, 2019

My daughter has not been a student who struggles with academics. When she has needed a teacher's help, they have always been available and willing to go above and beyond to assist her.

Posted: November 8, 2019

We have not had any real experiences with what I would classify as bullying. My daughter had an issue with some petty girl behavior that was dealt with quickly when brought to the school's attention.

Posted: November 8, 2019

My daughter has had an amazing 4 years at Creek. She has been involved with the school community from day one. Her academic preparation has been second to none. She has been accepted to her first choice for college and has easily met the entrance requirements for engineering. I would not have traded this experience for anything and would highly recommend Creek to any parent.

Posted: May 20, 2019

Teachers do very little teaching, most of time, it is just paper work for student to learn at home. Most teachers often show very little responsibility by not showing up if it should interfere with their golf games.

Posted: May 20, 2019

Posted: May 20, 2019

Lacking leadership at the school. We had a concerned over 9 months about absent teacher and missing lessons, which the school did not address or offer any solution until 2 months prior to the end of the school.

Posted: May 20, 2019

Posted: May 20, 2019

very disappointing. I am expecting better leadership, communication and quality of teachers. the school has been over rated because it is in a affluclient neighborhood

Posted: May 20, 2019

There are too much home work, where avg. student works min. of 4 hrs. a night.

Posted: January 3, 2018

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Posted: January 3, 2018

Coming from a private school, we chose Cherry Creek for the diversity, class options and outstanding curriculum. Both my son and daughter participate the sports programs and compete in DECA. Caring teachers and great school!

Posted: July 21, 2017

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Posted: July 21, 2017

I feel very lucky to have my daughters at this school, they are getting a great education, I think Creek can easily compete with the private schools in the area not only in sports but academically and come on top!

Posted: March 22, 2014

Extremely committed teachers, who truly care about their student's success! Challenging courses,amazing facilities (5 Gymnasiums, Baseball Diamond, Stadium, etc. etc!). Into Athletics? No Problem, over 20 sports (eg, CCHS has won every tennis state title since 1971!) . Into Debate? MUN? Drama? Creek has over 200 clubs for everyone. Basically, people from any background, with any interest, and any academic level can be the best at this school in terms of academic/extracurriculars. The campus is astounding, being an architecturally beautiful campus of 100 acres, emphasis on nature! However, where the negative comes in is the elitism and social structure. Students are incredibly wealthy, and like to flaunt it through their numerous cliques- and I first-hand witnessed awful social discrimination and exclusion towards students of low income background. Minorities will never really fit in at this school, and there is a very detrimental drug culture (including hard drugs- due to the wealth cited above). The extreme affluence is what seems to ruin the culture of learning, and the powerful pros of academic and athletic opportunity must be weighed against the destructive social environment

Posted: March 14, 2014

My child is a recent graduate of Cherry Creek and I volunteered in one of the associations he was involved . I agree with the parent who cited the general social discrimination with a huge clique and drug problem. I saw it first hand. We choose this high school for the Chinese program. As a low income family very little assistance was ever offered, even when we asked and knew programs were available. We could not afford several of the field trips and my child was outcast due to this. Due to my child's determination he did graduate in the top 2% of his class and now attends and Ivy. There were several great teachers who inspired him but just as many who were little assistance due to our "social status". The first counselor he had was worthless since we were low income. He had a new counselor his senior year who made a huge difference . The school is superficial (including many teachers who pander to the wealthy), and only now , that my child is at a top university, is he telling all of the times he was discriminated by staff for being low income.

Posted: March 13, 2014

In terms of academic/athletic excellence and opportunity- CCHS is as superb of a school as can be plausibly found. Facilities and campus are simply stunning, and the choice available to students in terms of classes, sports, and clubs is simply unmatched in the entire state of Colorado. HOWEVER, in terms of social structure , Cherry Creek represents elitism at its ugliest. Taking into account that its area is the 6th richest in the entire United States of America, there is little acceptance to be found and general social discrimination with a huge clique and drug problem. It is an amazing school if one is accepted well and quickly, but any that do not fit the cookie cutter model will find themselves ousted (socially) after some time. Would recommend this school to any that are willing to sacrifice their morals and personalities to fulfill and be exposed to the astounding opportunities and committed teaching staff.

Posted: November 7, 2013

Cherry Creek High School: Way too big. They have many clubs but its all PR. They make it sound like there is something for everyone and kids are involved. This is a very uninvolved student body. Forget about sports unless your kid is in the top 1% on average. Many complaints from parents about average or just below average kids with potential falling through the cracks. Cherry Creek Schools are good for your property value and resale, but in reality its all hype -- not the best public school options. Look at Douglas County Schools, smaller schools and not union run. Much better in the long run.

Posted: October 18, 2013

Cherry Creek is a TERRIFIC school if your child is generally a confident, responsible, mature person. Cherry Creek also seems to be working on improving its services for less mature, or less motivated kids. Great teachers and a terrific variety of classes and extracurricular options, in our experience!

Posted: July 27, 2013

Both of our kids went to school here and they both loved it. We are middle class, not rich. There are plenty of academic opportunities and extracurricular activities.

Posted: August 8, 2012

As a former student at CCHS, I can truly say that having a diploma from this high school has prepared me more for college than many other high schools in Colorado and the nation. Cherry Creek offers a challanging and rewarding environment where any student can succeed if they put the effort in. The teachers are some of the finest around and truly care about the success of their students. As for preparing students for college, it quickly becomes apparent that going to CCHS isn't the same as other high schools. Naive freshman soon mature into responsible young adults as they are exposed to a more collegiate-type environment, including off-campus privledges, choosing their own classes, and overall more freedom. The only negative about CCHS is that unless you are very skilled in a specific sport, don't plan on making it onto any of the cut teams. CCHS takes their sports very seriously and therefore are very selective. I am honored to be able to say that I attended one of the best high schools in the country. Students not only recieve an excellent education, but will make lasting friendships and learn invaluable lessons during their time at Cherry Creek High School.

Posted: July 28, 2012

Cherry Creek provides a competive environment, thus gets results. Unfortunately the long term principal retired, and the new one is less than excellent.