Skip to main content

Excellent

#246 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 14% in state

Centaurus High School

High School · Boulder Valley School District No. Re2

10300 SOUTH BOULDER ROAD, Lafayette, CO 80026

Enrollment

1,561

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

8.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lafayette

#2 of 8

public schools

Colorado high schools

#26 of 403

In district

#18 of 54

Boulder Valley School District No. Re2

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Centaurus High School

Centaurus High School serves 1,561 students in grades 9-12 in Lafayette, Colorado, positioned as a solid academic choice in Boulder County. With 77 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable access to instructor support for its large student body. Academically, Centaurus demonstrates strong performance with an 8.7 out of 10 academic score and ranks #467 out of 1,831 Colorado high schools, placing it in the 74th percentile statewide.

The school's mathematics program shows particular strength, with 52% of students achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. This academic success reflects the school's overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. The school draws from an affluent and well-educated community where the median household income reaches $109,414 and 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a low poverty rate of just 5.4% and median home values of $629,000, the surrounding neighborhood demonstrates strong economic stability that often correlates with educational investment and support. Centaurus High School operates as a regular public school in Lafayette's small suburban setting, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to the broader educational and cultural resources of the Boulder County area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Centaurus High School is 20.3:1, 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 Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.4Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+15.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation39.1%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,316

Centaurus High School — Students at Centaurus High School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
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
55%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
52%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Centaurus High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
87th percentile in CO
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
39.1% participation·82 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

10300 SOUTH BOULDER ROAD, Lafayette, CO 80026

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Centaurus High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Monarch High School (rated 6.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Louisville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Justice High Charter School (rated 5.3/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lafayette, see our Lafayette schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Ryan Elementary School Lafayette 0.4 mi 7.8
Angevine Middle School Lafayette 0.5 mi 8.0
TREEHOUSE LEARNING Louisville 1.1 mi
Lafayette Elementary School Lafayette 1.2 mi 7.0
Louisville Middle School Louisville 1.1 mi 7.5
ADVENTURE MONTESSORI LEARNING CENTER Lafayette 1.4 mi 4.7
ST LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Louisville 1.3 mi 7.2
Pioneer Bilingual Elementary School Lafayette 1.6 mi 8.3
Louisville Elementary School Louisville 1.6 mi 8.5
Alicia Sanchez International School Lafayette 1.5 mi 7.9
Justice High Charter School Lafayette 1.7 mi 5.3
Peak to Peak Charter School Lafayette 1.9 mi 7.5
LOUISVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Louisville 2.1 mi
Monarch High School Louisville 2.8 mi 6.5
Coal Creek Elementary School Louisville 2.4 mi 7.7
Monarch K-8 School Louisville 2.9 mi 6.8
Fireside Elementary School Louisville 2.7 mi 7.7
Meadowlark School Erie 3.6 mi 8.5
Broomfield Heights Middle School Broomfield 3.8 mi 8.1
SUMMIT CLASSICAL ACADEMY Broomfield 4.2 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80026 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$115,031

Median Home Value

$664,000

Median Rent

$2,054/mo

Population

32,549

College Educated

66.2%

Homeownership

67.5%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Centaurus High School has a median household income of $115,031. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $664,000, with a median rent of $2,054/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Littleton High School Littleton, CO 8.0
Loveland High School Loveland, CO 8.0
North High School Denver, CO 8.2
Cheyenne Mountain High School Colorado Springs, CO 7.8
Denver School of the Arts Denver, CO 7.6
Durango High School Durango, CO 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Centaurus High School

What grades does Centaurus High School serve?

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

How many students attend Centaurus High School?

Centaurus High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,561 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Centaurus High School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Centaurus High School rank in CO?

Centaurus High School is ranked #246 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Centaurus High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Centaurus High School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Centaurus High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Centaurus High School has 53.7% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Centaurus High School a charter school?

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

Is Centaurus High School a Title I school?

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

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

29.3% of students at Centaurus 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
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
54 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,963/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,561
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
77
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.