JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SECONDARY
JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SECONDARY is a public high school that is part of the Jefferson County School District No. R-1 school district, located in LAKEWOOD, CO with about 318 students offering grade levels from 7th Grade to 12th Grade. With about 21 teachers, JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SECONDARY has a student/teacher ratio of about 15:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.
JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SECONDARY (JCOS), located in Lakewood, Colorado, is a unique public alternative school serving students in grades 7 through 12. Unlike traditional middle and high schools, JCOS is built on a philosophy of "democratic education," which emphasizes student agency, self-directed learning, and the development of personal responsibility. The school fosters a close-knit community where students are encouraged to take an active role in shaping their own educational path, often working in multi-age groups and participating in elective-heavy curricula that prioritize critical thinking over standardized testing.
The culture at JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SECONDARY is defined by its focus on strong teacher-student relationships and a collaborative governance model. Because the school values the "whole student," it places a significant emphasis on social-emotional learning, community service, and real-world project-based experiences. By minimizing rigid structures and fostering an environment of mutual respect, the school aims to prepare students not just for college, but for active citizenship and lifelong learning in a diverse and evolving society.
For more information, contact JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SECONDARY at (303) 982-7045 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.
LAKEWOOD, CO 80215-4101
(303) 982-7045
JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SECONDARY is a public school in LAKEWOOD, CO with about 318 enrolled students. See other public high schools in Colorado
School Details
- Level:
- High School
- Charter School:*
- No
- District:
- Jefferson County School District No. R-1
- Total Students:
- 318
- Teachers:
- 21.01
- NSLP Status:1
- No
- Qualified free lunch:
- 0
- Qualified reduced-price lunch:
- 0
- Title I Status:2
- Not a Title I school
- Virtual:
- Not Virtual
* A public charter school is a publicly funded school that is typically governed by a group or organization under a legislative contract with the state, the district, or another entity. The charter exempts the school from certain state or local rules and regulations.
1 The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides eligible students with free or reduced-price lunch
2 Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families.
School Demographics for 318 students
The primary ethnicity of students attending JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SECONDARY is predominantly White, representing about 79% of the student body.
- White
- 78.9%
- Hispanic/Latino
- 15.7%
- Two or more races
- 2.2%
- Black or African American
- 1.3%
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- 1.3%
- Asian
- 0.6%
- Female
- 47.2%
- Male
- 52.8%
Data for school year 2017-2018 — The information found on this website was provided in part by the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics & various other external sources. We do not verify the contents of the information provided and therefore, cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information displayed on this website.