Best High Schools
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
We ranked the 39 high schools in Colorado Springs with real test data. The top 25 scored between 5.9 and 9.0 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Colorado education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Colorado Springs for 2026 are The Classical Academy High School (9.0/10), Cheyenne Mountain High School (8.9/10), and Power Technical (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 39 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Colorado Springs?
Every high school in Colorado Springs is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
The Classical Academy High School
Colorado Springs, CO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Cheyenne Mountain High School
Colorado Springs, CO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Power Technical
Colorado Springs, CO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
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 Classical Academy High School
Cheyenne Mountain High School
Power Technical
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 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Colorado so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 39 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Classical Academy High School Charter Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 9.0 |
| 2 | Cheyenne Mountain High School Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 in the county of E | 8.9 |
| 3 | Power Technical Charter El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 8.3 |
| 4 | James Irwin Charter High School Charter Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 8.3 |
| 5 | Tca College Pathways Charter Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 8.0 |
| 6 | Rampart High School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.8 |
| 7 | Pine Creek High School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.8 |
| 8 | Liberty High School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.6 |
| 9 | Discovery Canyon Campus High School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.6 |
| 10 | Civa Charter Academy Charter Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 7.5 |
| 11 | Village High School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 7.4 |
| 12 | The Vanguard School (high) Charter Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 7.4 |
| 13 | Fountain Valley School of Colorado | 7.4 |
| 14 | St Mary's High School | 7.1 |
| 15 | Pikes Peak Early College El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 7.0 |
| 16 | Odyssey Early College and Career Options Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 6.9 |
| 17 | Career Readiness Academy Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 6.5 |
| 18 | Coronado High School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 6.3 |
| 19 | Doherty High School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 6.1 |
| 20 | Atlas Preparatory High School Charter Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 6.1 |
| 21 | Aspen Valley Campus Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 6.0 |
| 22 | Community Prep Charter School Charter Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 6.0 |
| 23 | Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs Charter State Charter School Institute | 5.9 |
| 24 | Palmer High School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 5.9 |
| 25 | Vista Ridge High School El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 5.9 |
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
The Classical Academy High School
Cheyenne Mountain High School
James Irwin Charter High School
Discovery Canyon Campus High 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 Classical Academy High School is the top-rated high school in Colorado Springs with a composite score of 9.0/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
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 6.3/10. 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 that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. 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.