Tour Proceeds Benefit Denver's North High School

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North High School prioritizes the academic and personal success of all its students, transforming them into their best selves to reach their full potential at the post-secondary program of their choice and to be leaders in an ever-changing world. North High prides itself on ensuring every student is college and career-ready upon graduation! We offer more than 50 rigorous academic Advanced Placement, Honors, and Concurrent Enrollment classes in core subjects, plus a multitude of elective courses in world languages, art, music, technology, drama, physical education, and more.

The pre-Denver town of Highland (now North Denver/Highlands) was served by a single school, the Ashland School, built in 1872 and located on 15th and Central Street. Responding to a rapidly growing population, Highland started its high school in 1883. Although Highland was not part of Denver, the high school was part of the Denver Public School system and served Denverites as well as Highlanders. The school met on the second floor of Ashland Elementary and was named Denver North Side High School. North was the first Denver public high school to officially use a directional name.  The school quickly outgrew the first building and was razed in 1888 to make way for a majestic new Ashland located on the grounds of the present Valdez Elementary School. The original Denver North Side High School boasted a single teacher for all grades. The first Denver North Side class of 6 students graduated in 1886. The class was entirely female and earned a class average (98%) that has yet to be bested by any following graduating class.

The school bordered Highland Park. In 1913 an annex west of the building was added to house various shop and home economics classes. In the 1920's during Mayor Speer’s “City Beautiful” project, North High School was determined large and beautiful enough that it did not need to be rebuilt, as other schools were. The North High building is the oldest high school building in Denver and one of the oldest school buildings.  In 1957 an east wing was built including a pool for physical education. From 1980 to 1983 a major interior remodel and addition included a new auditorium, cafeteria, atrium lobby, offices, and classrooms. In 2010-11, a $35M renovation was completed, including a new library, the largest in DPS. A smaller gymnasium and locker room remodeling project was completed in the fall of 2019.

The North High School building is as striking today as it was when it opened its doors well over 130 years ago. Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, prominent Denver architects Merrill Hoyt and Burnham Hoyt, Colorado historian Caroline Bancroft, and Denver lawyer Steve Farber are among North High School’s notable alumni. The flag of the City and County of Denver was designed by North High student Margaret Overbeck and adopted in 1926.