The brief
The top-rated high schools in Colorado Springs for 2026 are The Vanguard School (high) (9.4/10), The Classical Academy High School (8.4/10), and Cheyenne Mountain High School (8.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 37 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
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.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.4
- 28.4
- 38.1
- 47.8
- 57.3
- 67.2
- 77.2
- 86.9
- 96.6
- 106.6
All 37 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 37
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1The Vanguard School (high)charterHarrison School District No. 2 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 303student-teacher ratio 9.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 2The Classical Academy High SchoolcharterAcademy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 581student-teacher ratio 11.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 3Cheyenne Mountain High SchoolCheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 In the County of Estudents 1,268student-teacher ratio 16.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 4James Irwin Charter High SchoolcharterHarrison School District No. 2 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 412student-teacher ratio 15.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 5Village High SchoolAcademy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 511student-teacher ratio 18.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 6Pine Creek High SchoolAcademy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 1,913student-teacher ratio 17.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 7Power TechnicalcharterEL Paso County Colorado School District 49students 377student-teacher ratio 10.5:1grades 6th–12th
- 8Ascend College PrepEducation Reenvisioned Bocesstudents 85student-teacher ratio 21.2:1grades 11th–12th
- 9Liberty High SchoolAcademy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 1,589student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 10Odyssey Early College and Career OptionsColorado Springs School District No. 11 In the County of Estudents 316student-teacher ratio 21.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 11Civa Charter AcademycharterColorado Springs School District No. 11 In the County of Estudents 181student-teacher ratio 10.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 12Rampart High SchoolAcademy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 1,342student-teacher ratio 16.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 13Discovery Canyon Campus High SchoolAcademy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 1,048student-teacher ratio 19.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 14Pikes Peak Early CollegeEL Paso County Colorado School District 49students 178student-teacher ratio 44.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 15Community Prep Charter SchoolcharterColorado Springs School District No. 11 In the County of Estudents 167student-teacher ratio 27.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 16Atlas Preparatory High SchoolcharterHarrison School District No. 2 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 481student-teacher ratio 19.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 17Monument Charter Academy Secondary SchoolcharterLewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 In the Costudents 516student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades 6th–12th
- 18Tca College PathwayscharterAcademy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 473student-teacher ratio 23.6:1grades 7th–12th
- 19Coronado High SchoolColorado Springs School District No. 11 In the County of Estudents 1,317student-teacher ratio 19.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 20Career Readiness AcademyHarrison School District No. 2 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 85student-teacher ratio 21.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 21Palmer High SchoolColorado Springs School District No. 11 In the County of Estudents 1,344student-teacher ratio 19.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 22Doherty High SchoolColorado Springs School District No. 11 In the County of Estudents 1,861student-teacher ratio 22.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 23Vista Ridge High SchoolEL Paso County Colorado School District 49students 1,479student-teacher ratio 19.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 24Discovery High SchoolSchool District No. 3 In the County of EL Paso and State ofstudents 62student-teacher ratio 10.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 25Sierra High SchoolHarrison School District No. 2 In the County of EL Paso Anstudents 822student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades 9th–12th
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.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
The Vanguard School (high)
Harrison School District No. 2 In the County of EL Paso An
303 students · 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 1% in Colorado · charter
- Academics
- 10.0
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- 9.7
- 2
The Classical Academy High School
Academy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso An
581 students · 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 8% in Colorado · charter
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 5.8
- Environment
- 9.5
- 3
Cheyenne Mountain High School
Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 In the County of E
1,268 students · 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 12% in Colorado
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 6.0
- Environment
- 7.2
- 4
James Irwin Charter High School
Harrison School District No. 2 In the County of EL Paso An
412 students · 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 19% in Colorado · charter
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 4.8
- Environment
- 8.7
- 5
Village High School
Academy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso An
511 students · 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 28% in Colorado
- Academics
- 8.7
- Growth
- 6.4
- Environment
- 6.7
- 6
Pine Creek High School
Academy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso An
1,913 students · 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 30% in Colorado
- Academics
- 9.4
- Growth
- 5.5
- Environment
- 4.6
- 7
Power Technical
EL Paso County Colorado School District 49
377 students · 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 32% in Colorado · charter
- Academics
- 5.6
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 8.6
- 8
Ascend College Prep
Education Reenvisioned Boces
85 students · 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 11th–12th
Top 39% in Colorado
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- 3.4
- 9
Liberty High School
Academy School District No. 20 In the County of EL Paso An
1,589 students · 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 45% in Colorado
- Academics
- 8.3
- Growth
- 5.0
- Environment
- 5.2
- 10
Odyssey Early College and Career Options
Colorado Springs School District No. 11 In the County of E
316 students · 21.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 46% in Colorado
- Academics
- 8.8
- Growth
- 8.9
- Environment
- 3.3
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 9.4/10. 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 40 high schools, including 11 charter schools. Of these, 40 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Colorado Springs?
Among 40 Colorado Springs high schools with a composite score, the average is 5.9/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Colorado).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Schools with enough data receive 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?
Colorado Springs has 11 charter high schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
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.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Colorado Springs2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle schools in Colorado Springs2026 rankings and ratings
- All 200 schools in Colorado SpringsElementary, middle and high
- Colorado schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings