School placement is one of the biggest factors families consider when buying or selling a home in Denver. In DPS, your address can determine whether your child is guaranteed a spot at a specific boundary school or placed within an enrollment zone that offers several school options. Understanding how these systems work can make a big difference in your home search, your timing, and even your long-term plans.
Before making any decisions, always confirm school assignments through the official DPS School Choice website. Policies, zones, and boundaries can change, so the district’s tools are the most accurate and up-to-date source of information.
This guide breaks down how boundaries, enrollment zones, and SchoolChoice work, what they mean for buyers and sellers, and how to verify any address with confidence.
A Quick Look at DPS
DPS is Colorado’s largest district, offering a variety of public education options: neighborhood (boundary) schools, shared enrollment zones, magnet and application‑based programs, and public charter schools. Families navigate school placement using the unified online system known as SchoolChoice.
The Basics: Boundaries, Zones, and What Families Should Know
Where your home is located determines what school (or schools) you’re guaranteed access to under DPS. That matters a lot if you’re buying or selling a home with school‑age kids.
If you’re in a boundary area, your address ties to a specific school — giving your child a guaranteed place there (for the grades the school serves).
If you live in an enrollment zone, your address ties to a group of schools. You’re guaranteed a seat at one of them, but not a specific campus.
For homebuyers and sellers: boundaries offer predictability; zones offer flexibility — but also extra steps. Always verify any address using the official DPS School Finder before making commitments.
How Boundary Schools Work
A “boundary” (or “neighborhood”) school means your home is inside a clearly defined attendance area. If that’s the case, your student is guaranteed a seat at that particular school for their grade span.
That guarantee holds regardless of whether you apply — but many families still use SchoolChoice to explore additional options like magnets or charters. If you accept placement elsewhere, your boundary seat could be forfeited under certain conditions.
Buyer tip: If a particular school is a deal‑breaker for you, restrict your home search to within that school’s boundary, and always confirm the address via School Finder.
How Enrollment Zones Work
Some areas in Denver are part of an enrollment zone — a larger geographic area feeding multiple schools that serve the same grade levels (often middle or high school, though there are zones for other grades, too).
If your address falls within a zone, you’re guaranteed placement at one of the schools in that zone — but not at any specific one. To get that placement, families must submit a SchoolChoice application and rank their preferred schools in the zone. DPS assigns seats based on school priorities, capacity, and preferences.
Buyer tip: If you have your heart on a specific school in a zone, treat it as a hopeful — not a promise. When applying, rank all schools in the zone you’re willing to accept to maximize chances of placement in a school you’re comfortable with.
SchoolChoice: How It Works
SchoolChoice happens in two main rounds:
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Round 1 — This is your shot when you’re enrolling incoming students (like kindergarten, ECE, 6th grade, or 9th grade) or changing schools. Families submit one application, ranking up to 12 schools in order of preference. Results come out in late winter.
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Round 2 — After Round 1 placements, Round 2 opens for families who missed the first window, are new to DPS, or want to try for a different school. Placement is first‑come, first‑served, based on priorities and seat availability. Students waitlisted in Round 1 may receive offers here or later.
Common priorities include residency in a boundary or zone, siblings already attending a school, staff children, Denver residents, and then non‑residents; some schools may have additional or unique priority criteria.
If you move mid‑school‑year or join DPS late, you can still use Round 2 or current‑year enrollment options — so new families aren’t automatically left out.
How to Verify Any Address (DPS School Finder)
Always double‑check a property’s school assignment — it’s quick and easy:
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Open DPS School Finder and enter the full street address and grade level.
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The tool will show if the address falls within a single-school boundary or an enrollment zone, and list the applicable school(s).
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Save or print the results. If you’re working with an agent (or selling a home), include that info in your paperwork for transparency.
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If buying in late spring or summer, check both the upcoming school year and the current one — just to be safe.
Examples from Real Neighborhoods
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Hilltop / Cory‑Merrill / Belcaro — Many areas here tie to boundary elementary schools (e.g., Cory, Steck), which then feed into specific middle and high schools depending on your address. That offers a lot of predictability for families.
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Central Park — A mix: elementary enrollment zones, secondary zones or charter options (including campuses from networks like DSST Public Schools). Depending on grade level, predictability can vary.
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Washington Park / Platt Park — Often boundary elementary (like Asbury, Steele), then broader choice at secondary levels.
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Highlands / Sunnyside — Elementary boundary schools paired with enrollment zones and charter access for middle/high school.
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Green Valley Ranch / Gateway — More likely to be in zones, with several charter and zone‑school options; choice diligence is especially important here.
In short: where there’s a single-school boundary, things tend to feel simpler. Zones open up more school options — but demand flexibility and planning.
Strategy for Buyers & Sellers
For Buyers
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Decide what matters most: grade level, type of programming (GT, Dual Language, Montessori, STEM, etc.), commute, after-care, and transportation.
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If predictability matters, target homes within the boundary of a school you want.
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If flexibility matters (or you’re open to different schools), be prepared to tour multiple zone or charter options and rank all acceptable ones in your application.
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Always verify every property address in School Finder and save screenshots or PDFs.
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Pay attention to commute, walkability, bus eligibility, and dropoff logistics when evaluating a property.
For Sellers
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Clearly market your home’s school situation: state whether it’s in a boundary or enrollment zone, and name the relevant school(s).
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Highlight special programs (like language immersion, IB, STEM, arts, etc.) that may appeal to families.
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Include School Finder results or screenshots in your listing materials — it builds trust and helps prospective buyers evaluate realistically.
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In high-demand boundary areas, school-based predictability can increase a home’s value. In zones, appeal to families looking for flexibility or choice — but set expectations accordingly.
More on Transportation, Pre‑K, and Special Programming
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Transportation: Eligibility depends on distance and school type. Some charters offer their own bus services; others rely on parents for transport.
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Early Childhood Education (ECE) / Pre‑K: DPS offers ECE, but due to demand and limited space, seats are not guaranteed. Preschool (ECE‑3 or ECE‑4) requires a full SchoolChoice application, and even boundary enrollment doesn’t always secure a seat.
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Special Services & Programs: DPS provides special education services, dual-language or immersion, Montessori, International Baccalaureate (IB), gifted and talented (GT) programs, and other specialized schools. Entry requirements vary by school.
The Range of Public School Options in Denver
Denver families can choose among district-managed (neighborhood) schools, charter school networks (e.g., DSST Public Schools, KIPP Colorado Schools, Rocky Mountain Prep, and others), magnet or application-based schools, and special-program campuses.
Because grade configurations, program offerings, and enrollment policies vary widely — and change occasionally — it’s essential to check current DPS directories, school websites, and use School Finder for address-specific data before making any decisions.
FAQ: Boundary vs. Enrollment Zone vs. SchoolChoice
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What’s the difference between a boundary school and an enrollment zone?
A boundary school is a specific campus tied to a geographic area — you’re guaranteed that school. An enrollment zone is a larger area feeding multiple campuses; you’re guaranteed a spot at one of them, but not a particular one. -
Does living in a boundary or zone guarantee my child a school?
Yes — for grades K–12, DPS guarantees that children living within a boundary or enrollment zone will be placed at their assigned school or one in their zone. -
Do I have to apply via SchoolChoice to attend my boundary or zone school?
It depends. For many boundary-area kids, the guarantee applies as long as they enroll — but families may still use SchoolChoice if they wish to consider other program options (magnets, charters, etc.). In enrollment zones (especially for incoming students or those changing schools), a SchoolChoice application is typically required to ensure seat placement. -
If I use SchoolChoice to get into a different school, do I lose my original boundary or zone guarantee?
Yes — once you accept a non-boundary/zoned school via SchoolChoice, your original boundary or zone placement is no longer guaranteed. To return, you would need to submit a new application and may be subject to waitlists or availability. -
Are there other pathways besides boundary/zoned schools?
Yes — DPS includes charter schools, magnets, international programs, language immersion, gifted programs, and others. These typically require application via SchoolChoice and may have additional criteria.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Choosing the right neighborhood and school zone can shape your family’s educational experience — and influence long-term home value. If you’d like help verifying a property’s school assignment or building a custom list of boundary or zone‑based school options based on your kids’ grade level and program needs, we’ve got you covered. Just reach out HERE, and we’ll get started.
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