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Very Good

#606 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 33% in state

Boulder High School

High School · Boulder Valley School District No. Re2

1604 ARAPAHOE AVENUE, Boulder, CO 80302

Enrollment

2,022

Student-Teacher

20.4:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Boulder

#21 of 29

public schools

Colorado high schools

#102 of 403

In district

#40 of 54

Boulder Valley School District No. Re2

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Boulder High School

Boulder High School serves 2,022 students in grades 9-12 in Boulder, Colorado, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1 across 99 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #345 out of 1,831 Colorado high schools, placing it in the 81st percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with an impressive 9.1 out of 10 academic score.

In mathematics, 56% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, reflecting the school's commitment to student achievement. Boulder High School operates in a community where educational attainment is highly valued, with 76% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school sits in the heart of Boulder, a vibrant mid-size city known for its active, educated population.

The surrounding ZIP code 80302 has a median home value of $1,065,500, though the area shows economic diversity with a median household income of $56,093 among its 30,569 residents and a poverty rate of 35.6%. Boulder High School benefits from being located in this dynamic college town environment that emphasizes learning and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

Boulder High School is a large school with 2,022 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Boulder High School is 20.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+21.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation45.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,316

Boulder High School — Students at Boulder High School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 81.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
66%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
81%
2022
Math
56%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.9/10.

How Boulder High School Compares

See how Boulder High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in CO
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
99 teachers

Location

1604 ARAPAHOE AVENUE, Boulder, CO 80302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Boulder High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SEPTEMBER SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is TARA PERFORMING ARTS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, WATERSHED SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Boulder, see our Boulder schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Boulder 0.4 mi
University Hill Elementary School Boulder 0.6 mi 8.6
Whittier Elementary School Boulder 0.6 mi 5.2
SACRED HEART OF JESUS SCHOOL Boulder 0.7 mi 7.0
Casey Middle School Boulder 0.7 mi 5.8
Flatirons Elementary School Boulder 0.7 mi 8.6
WATERSHED SCHOOL Boulder 0.9 mi 5.9
Mapleton Early Childhood Center Boulder 0.8 mi 7.5
New Vista High School Boulder 0.9 mi 5.5
Columbine Elementary School Boulder 1.3 mi 7.8
Foothill Elementary School Boulder 1.6 mi 8.2
SEPTEMBER SCHOOL Boulder 1.3 mi 7.3
High Peaks Elementary School Boulder 1.7 mi 8.9
Boulder Community School/Integrated Studies Boulder 1.7 mi 4.9
Centennial Middle School Boulder 2.2 mi 7.5
Creekside Elementary School at Martin Park Boulder 2.0 mi 9.3
JARROW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boulder 2.3 mi 6.1
Bear Creek Elementary School Boulder 2.4 mi 6.8
TARA PERFORMING ARTS HIGH SCHOOL Boulder 2.5 mi 7.3
Crest View Elementary School Boulder 2.6 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,649

Median Home Value

$1,123,800

Median Rent

$1,850/mo

Population

29,751

College Educated

75.2%

Homeownership

40.1%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

35.3%

Median Age

24.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Boulder High School has a median household income of $60,649. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,123,800, with a median rent of $1,850/month. The area has a poverty rate of 35.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
East High School Denver, CO 7.1
Fossil Ridge High School Fort Collins, CO 7.1
Longmont High School Longmont, CO 7.1
Air Academy High School Usaf Academy, CO 7.0
Arapahoe High School Centennial, CO 7.0
Highlands Ranch High School Highlands Ranch, CO 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Boulder High School

What grades does Boulder High School serve?

Boulder High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Boulder High School?

Boulder High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,022 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Boulder High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Boulder High School is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Boulder High School rank in CO?

Boulder High School is ranked #606 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Boulder High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Boulder High School has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Boulder High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Boulder High School has 62.0% math proficiency and 81.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Boulder High School a charter school?

No, Boulder High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Boulder High School a Title I school?

No, Boulder High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Boulder High School?

30.3% of students at Boulder High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
92 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
61 Good Transit
Bike Score
100 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (3,086/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Boulder). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,022
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
99
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Boulder County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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