Best High Schools
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
We ranked all 39 high schools in Colorado Springs. The top 25 scored between 5.6 and 9.1 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Colorado education data
Colorado Springs ranks 37 high schools, with performance spread across a meaningful range. The Vanguard School leads the metro with a 9.1/10 composite score — a notable gap above the field average of 6.0/10. That distance signals real variation in outcomes across the city, making school selection worth careful attention. Twelve schools, roughly a third of those ranked, clear the 7.0 threshold, giving families a solid set of strong options to evaluate. Cheyenne Mountain High School, The Classical Academy High School, and Discovery High School all land at 7.7 or above, clustering near the top tier. The table below lets you sort by the metrics that matter most to your family — academics, growth, or overall score — so you can cut through the full list of 37 and focus on the schools that fit your priorities.
The Vanguard School (High)
Cheyenne Mountain High School
The Classical Academy High School
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Colorado Springs's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Colorado so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Vanguard School (High) Charter Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 9.1 |
| 2 | Cheyenne Mountain High School Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 in the county of E | 7.8 |
| 3 | The Classical Academy High School Charter Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.7 |
| 4 | Discovery High School School District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of | 7.7 |
| 5 | Liberty High School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.6 |
| 6 | Odyssey Early College and Career Options Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 7.5 |
| 7 | Community Prep Charter School Charter Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 7.4 |
| 8 | FOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL OF COLORADO | 7.4 |
| 9 | Aspen Valley Campus Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.3 |
| 10 | Rampart High School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.2 |
| 11 | CIVA Charter Academy Charter Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 7.2 |
| 12 | Monument Charter Academy Secondary School Charter Lewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co | 7.1 |
| 13 | ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL | 7.1 |
| 14 | Palmer High School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 7.0 |
| 15 | Sierra High School Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 6.9 |
| 16 | Pine Creek High School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 6.8 |
| 17 | Power Technical Charter El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 6.8 |
| 18 | Discovery Canyon Campus High School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 6.7 |
| 19 | Career Readiness Academy Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 6.6 |
| 20 | James Irwin Charter High School Charter Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 6.5 |
| 21 | Ascend College Prep EDUCATION REENVISIONED BOCES | 6.2 |
| 22 | TCA College Pathways Charter Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 6.2 |
| 23 | Harrison High School Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 5.9 |
| 24 | Doherty High School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 5.7 |
| 25 | Coronado High School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 5.6 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Colorado education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Colorado. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Colorado Springs
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Colorado Springs's Top 10 High Schools
Cheyenne Mountain High School
The Classical Academy High School
Odyssey Early College and Career Options
Community Prep Charter School
Choosing the Right High School in Colorado Springs
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Colorado Springs's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Colorado, with 39 schools spanning 12 school districts, plus 11 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Colorado Springs, Colorado?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, The Vanguard School (High) is the top-rated high school in Colorado Springs with a composite score of 9.1/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Colorado Springs, Colorado?
Colorado Springs has 39 high schools, including 11 charter schools. Of these, 39 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Colorado Springs?
The average composite score for Colorado Springs high schools is 6.1/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Colorado).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within Colorado, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Colorado, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Colorado Springs high school rankings?
Yes. Colorado Springs has 11 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.