F-1 Public · Colorado
Jeffco Public Schools
The American high school at the foot of the Rockies, in a Denver suburb known for music — for musicians, artists and lovers of the outdoors.
- F-1 visa
- High school diploma possible
- Year or semester
Jeffco fact sheet
Key facts
- Location
- Golden, Colorado
- Arrival airport
- Denver International (DEN)
- Size (pupils)
- 1,500 per high school on average
- Climate
- Temperatures from -10 °C to 28 °C
- High school diploma possible
- yes
- Semester possible
- yes
- Minimum ELTiS
- 222 (old scale) or 693 (ELTiS 2.0) / TOEFL 57-86 / TOEFL Junior 750 / IELTS 3.5
- School year 2027-2028
- $35,650
- Semester 2027-2028
- $21,600
- Checked on
- 18 October 2026
A week in Jeffco
In the morning, an Honors biology class or the STEM lab fitted with professional equipment. In the afternoon, marching band or orchestra — Jeffco has been named a "Best Community for Music Education" several years running — or ice hockey, lacrosse, the ski team in winter. On Wednesday, the climbing, mountain biking or fly-fishing club, esports or Dungeons & Dragons. At the weekend, Golden's main street with its Wild West air, the Triceratops Trail, and the Red Rocks amphitheatre twenty minutes away for a concert under the stars. Denver is right next door. From -10 to 28 °C.
Three things you won't find anywhere else
- Named a "Best Community for Music Education" several years running.
- Red Rocks twenty minutes away, the Rockies for skiing, climbing and mountain biking.
- A cutting-edge STEM lab and the IB programme.
Courses, sports and clubs in Jeffco
- 80 courses
- 19 sports
- 20 clubs
- Best-stocked subject: Arts (22 courses)
Courses, by subject
Mathematics
- Algebra I-III
- Intermediate algebra
- Geometry (Honors)
- Pre-calculus and trigonometry
- Pre-calculus (AP)
- Statistics (AP)
- Calculus (AP)
- Integrated mathematics I-III
Science
- Biology (Honors, AP)
- Earth science
- Chemistry (Honors, AP)
- Astronomy
- Marine biology
- Environmental science
- Physics (AP)
- Anatomy and physiology
- Integrated science
Humanities
- Human geography
- United States government and civics
- Modern United States history
- Modern world history
- Economics
- Macroeconomics (AP)
- Microeconomics (AP)
- United States government and politics (AP)
- Psychology (AP)
- Sociology
English
- English / language and literature
- English language and composition (AP)
- English literature and composition (AP)
- Seminar (AP)
- Research (AP)
- Public speaking
- Introduction to communication
- Creative writing
Languages
- French
- Spanish
- German (depending on campus)
Arts
- Music theory I-II
- Composition and songwriting
- Guitar (beginner to intermediate)
- 2D arts
- Digital photo
- Painting (beginner to intermediate)
- Ceramics
- Jewellery making
- Chorus
- Vocal ensemble
- Concert band
- Orchestra
- Instrumental ensemble
- Piano
- Audiovisual production
- Media production
- Technical theatre
- Sound engineering and design
- Theatre
- Final-year project: film, directing, acting, theatre
- Theatre production
- Musical theatre
Options
- Programming
- Principles of marketing
- Project management
- Computer science fundamentals
- Introduction to business
- Journalism
- Event marketing and communication
- Entrepreneurship
- Business and marketing
- Computer science principles (AP)
- Game design
- Information technology
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Robotics
- Graphic design and illustration
- Film studies
- Digital media and design
- Cooking basics
- Hospitality
Sports, season by season
Autumn
- Cross-country
- American football
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Golf
- Flag football
- Gymnastics (depending on campus)
- Softball
- Volleyball
Winter
- Basketball
- Ice hockey
- Skiing
- Wrestling
- Swimming and diving
- Wrestling (depending on campus)
Spring
- Baseball
- Lacrosse
- Swimming and diving
- Track and field
- Volleyball (depending on campus)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
Clubs
- Writers' group
- Chess
- Robotics
- Artists in action
- Band and orchestra
- Choir
- Pickleball
- Film
- Fly fishing
- Key Club
- Mountain biking
- Newspaper
- Climbing
- Public speaking and debate
- Theatre
- Yearbook
- Esports
- Board games
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Pom-pom / cheerleading
Jeffco compared with other districts
Calculations based on the published prices of the districts on this page that show a package; same prices, same results.
| Package | Price | Rank | Difference from the median |
|---|---|---|---|
| School year 2027-2028 | $35,650 | no. 29 of 59 | 2% below the median ($36,550) |
| Semester 2027-2028 | $21,600 | no. 20 of 47 | 5% below the median ($22,750) |
- Within the same state (Colorado): ranked 2 of 2 districts for the school year.
- Within the same state (Colorado): ranked 2 of 2 districts for the semester.
- Compared with Denver: $1,150 more per year.
- The cheapest district on the list is Newcomb ($23,900): this district costs $11,750 more (49%).
- Within the same state (Colorado), the cheapest is Denver ($34,500): this district costs $1,150 more (3%).
Rank: from cheapest (no. 1) to most expensive, among the districts showing a price in the same currency. The median is the price in the middle of the list.
Frequently asked questions about Jeffco
How much does the school year cost in Jeffco?
$35,650 for the 2027-2028 year. This price includes tuition, the host family and local supervision.
How much does a semester cost in Jeffco?
$21,600 for one semester in 2027-2028, with the same services.
Is Jeffco expensive compared with other districts?
Around the average: ranked 29 from cheapest of our 59 districts, 2% below the median price ($36,550). Within the same state (Colorado), it ranks 2 of 2.
Can I go to Jeffco for just one semester?
Yes, Jeffco also accepts pupils for a single semester.
Can I earn the American diploma in Jeffco?
Yes, the American diploma is possible in Jeffco.
What level of English do I need for Jeffco?
An ELTiS score of 222. The ELTiS is the English test that American high schools ask international students to take.
Which airport do I fly into for Jeffco?
Via Denver International airport (DEN).
Sophie knows Golden as if she lived there.
The district's high schools, sports by season, the town, the climate, things to do at the weekend — and the same for the 58 other districts. Ask her, she compares for you.
Daily life there
More districts to explore
- Denver Public SchoolsDenver, Colorado
- Heritage High SchoolPalm Bay, Florida
- Jenison High SchoolJenison, Michigan
Jeffco, Golden: does it appeal to you?
Ask for a quote, or put your questions to Sophie: she knows the 59 districts and their conditions.