Schools in Aurora
Aurora is served by multiple school districts of genuinely different quality -- Cherry Creek School District, serving southeast Aurora, ranks #6 in Colorado per Niche 2026 (4.1 stars), while Aurora Joint School District No. 28, serving the larger central/north portion of the city, carries a lower overall B- grade -- a real, disclosed split rather than one citywide school picture.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreCherry Creek School District: the stronger of Aurora's two main districts
Cherry Creek School District, headquartered in Greenwood Village and serving southeast Aurora among other communities, ranks #6 Best School District in Colorado per Niche 2026, with a 4.1-star average across 183 reviews, 51,980 students, and a 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Niche presents this district's overall rating as a star average rather than a single letter grade.
Aurora Joint School District No. 28: a real, meaningfully lower-rated alternative
Aurora Joint School District No. 28 (commonly called Aurora Public Schools), which serves the larger, more central and northern part of the city, carries an overall Niche grade of B- across 33 schools and 23,139 students -- a real, meaningfully lower rating than the Cherry Creek-zoned portion of Aurora, disclosed here directly rather than blended into one citywide average.
A real, disclosed split -- confirm the specific zoned district
Because these two districts serve different, non-overlapping parts of Aurora and read meaningfully differently in Niche's ratings, a family's specific address determines which district picture actually applies -- confirm the zoned district and specific assigned school directly rather than assuming one citywide rating covers the whole city.
What this research pass could not confirm
State test-score proficiency percentages and specific standout individual schools within Aurora JD-28 were not independently confirmed to precise, current figures this pass -- disclosed as a research gap rather than filled with an assumed number.
Key takeaways
- Cherry Creek School District (serving southeast Aurora) ranks #6 in Colorado per Niche 2026, 4.1 stars, 51,980 students, 16:1 ratio.
- Aurora Joint School District No. 28 (serving the larger central/north portion of the city) carries an overall Niche grade of B- across 33 schools and 23,139 students -- a real, meaningfully lower rating.
- These two districts serve genuinely different, non-overlapping parts of Aurora -- confirm the specific zoned district and assigned school for any address before relying on a citywide school reputation.
- Precise state test-score proficiency figures for Aurora JD-28 were not confirmed this research pass -- disclosed as a gap.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Aurora overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert