What schools serve the Hilltop neighborhood in Denver?

Most of Hilltop is served by Denver Public Schools: Steck Elementary (K–5) and Carson Elementary for parts of the neighborhood, Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences for middle school (6–8), and East High School for grades 9–12. Private options inside Hilltop itself include Graland Country Day School (PreK–8) and Hillel Academy. Always verify your exact block’s boundaries with the DPS SchoolFinder tool — they can change.

Is Steck Elementary a good school?

Yes — Steck is consistently one of Denver Public Schools’ most-regarded neighborhood elementaries, known for a tight-knit community feel, strong parent involvement, and solid academic reputation. Its location inside Hilltop (450 Albion Street) is one of the reasons young families target this neighborhood.

What high school do Hilltop kids attend?

East High School is the traditional DPS high school serving Hilltop. It’s one of Denver’s largest and most recognizable high schools, with a broad AP selection, strong athletics, and an historic City Park-adjacent campus. Some families also choose nearby private high schools or DPS magnet/charter options through the SchoolChoice process.

What private schools are in or near Hilltop?

Graland Country Day School (PreK–8, at 55 Clermont Street) sits in the heart of Hilltop and is one of Denver’s premier private schools. Hillel Academy is also in the neighborhood. Kent Denver School, St. Mary’s Academy, and Regis Jesuit are all a reasonable drive for Hilltop families.

How do I confirm school boundaries before buying in Hilltop?

Don’t rely on a listing’s school claims — verify the exact address with Denver Public Schools’ SchoolFinder tool and, for private schools, confirm grade availability and application deadlines directly. School enrollment can shift year to year, and a block two streets over can have a different boundary.

Does living near good schools affect Hilltop home values?

Yes, measurably. Homes in the walk zones for Steck and Hill Campus hold value especially well because families specifically search for them, and that demand deepens the buyer pool at resale. It’s one of the reasons Hilltop has outperformed many central Denver neighborhoods long-term.

Hilltop Families

Schools in Hilltop, Denver: A Parent's Guide

Few Denver neighborhoods put this many strong options inside their own boundaries. Hilltop families walk to Steck Elementary, Hill Campus, and Graland Country Day, and feed into East High School — a public and private lineup that consistently draws families to the neighborhood. Here's what each school offers, what to verify before you buy, and how schools shape Hilltop home values.

Hilltop Neighborhood Guide

The Public Path (DPS)

Most of Hilltop is served by Denver Public Schools. Boundaries can shift, so verify your exact address with the DPS SchoolFinder tool — but this is the path most Hilltop families take, and it's a strong one.

Steck Elementary School

K–5

450 Albion Street — inside Hilltop. One of DPS’s most-regarded neighborhood elementaries: tight-knit community, strong parent involvement, arts integration.

Carson Elementary School

ECE–5

5420 East 1st Avenue — serves parts of Hilltop. Another well-rated DPS elementary known for its welcoming community and strong academic reputation.

Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences

6–8

451 Clermont Street — the DPS middle school for the Hilltop corridor, with an arts and sciences focus and an engaged parent community.

East High School

9–12

The traditional DPS high school serving Hilltop — a historic City Park-adjacent campus with a broad AP selection, strong athletics, and a 100-year-old Angelus landmark tower.

The Private Options

Hilltop is unusual in that one of Denver's premier private schools sits inside the neighborhood itself — Graland families genuinely walk to school.

Graland Country Day School

PreK–8

55 Clermont Street — in the heart of Hilltop. One of Denver’s premier private schools, and a genuine driver of demand for homes within its walk shed.

Hillel Academy

K–8

A Jewish day school located in the Hilltop neighborhood, serving families seeking values-based education.

Nearby options

6–12

Kent Denver School, St. Mary’s Academy, Regis Jesuit, and Colorado Academy are all within a reasonable drive of Hilltop.

Buying in Hilltop for the Schools: What to Know

Verify before you write the offer

Listing pages routinely overstate school assignments. Confirm the address in DPS SchoolFinder and call private schools about grade availability before you fall in love with a house.

Watch application deadlines

Private school timelines run months ahead of the school year. Families relocating mid-year should confirm spot availability before committing to a close date.

Walk zones carry a premium — and hold it

Homes within easy walking distance of Steck and Graland see deeper buyer pools at resale. That demand is a big part of Hilltop’s long-term price resilience.

Middle school transitions are the stress point

The K–5 years are easy in Hilltop; the move to middle school is when many families re-evaluate. Having Hill Campus and Graland in-neighborhood keeps options open without a move.

Hilltop Schools FAQs

School details, boundaries, and program offerings change — this guide is informational only. Always confirm current assignments and enrollment directly with Denver Public Schools and each school.

Hilltop Guides