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Excellent

#309 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 17% in state

Fossil Ridge High School

High School · Poudre School District R-1

5400 ZIEGLER ROAD, Fort Collins, CO 80528

Enrollment

1,968

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

8.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#309 of 1,815

In Fort Collins

#18 of 45

public schools

In district

#19 of 51

Poudre School District R-1

Equity

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Fossil Ridge High School

8.0/10

High School in Fort Collins · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Preston Middle School

7.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Zach Elementary School

9.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fossil Ridge High School

Fossil Ridge High School is a public high school in Fort Collins, CO, part of Poudre School District R-1. Fossil Ridge High School serves approximately 1,968 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Fossil Ridge High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #309 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Fossil Ridge High School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.6
  • CO avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Fossil Ridge High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency83% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency74% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)54% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+19.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College Readiness8.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate94%
AP Participation21%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,995
Chronic Absenteeism47.9%

Fossil Ridge High School — Students at Fossil Ridge High School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 81.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
98%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
50%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
68%
ELA
86%
2019
Math
68%
ELA
86%
2020*
Math
63%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
83%
2022
Math
65%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Fossil Ridge High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
83th percentile in CO
Academic
9.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.7
Sports
19
9 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
101 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered IB Programme
21% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·23 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
9 boys'·10 girls'·39 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5400 ZIEGLER ROAD, Fort Collins, CO 80528

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fossil Ridge High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fort Collins High School (rated 7.2/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Colorado Early Colleges Windsor (rated 6.4/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Windsor), a more accessible option. Additionally, Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins (rated 6.2/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fort Collins, see our Fort Collins schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Preston Middle School Fort Collins 0.6 mi 7.0
Zach Elementary School Fort Collins 0.6 mi 9.0
Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School Fort Collins 0.8 mi 8.5
Traut Core Elementary School Fort Collins 0.8 mi 8.7
Linton Elementary School Fort Collins 1.5 mi 4.8
Bacon Elementary School Fort Collins 1.4 mi 8.1
Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins Fort Collins 1.7 mi 6.2
Fort Collins High School Fort Collins 2.1 mi 7.2
Kruse Elementary School Fort Collins 1.9 mi 8.5
Timnath Elementary School Timnath 2.1 mi 8.0
Academy of Arts and Knowledge Elementary Ft. Collins 2.0 mi 3.0
Shepardson Elementary School Fort Collins 2.6 mi 9.1
Colorado Early Colleges Windsor Windsor 2.9 mi 6.4
FORT COLLINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Collins 3.3 mi
Werner Elementary School Fort Collins 2.7 mi 8.7
Liberty Common Charter School Fort Collins 3.5 mi 7.4
FRONT RANGE BAPTIST ACADEMY Fort Collins 2.7 mi 6.5
Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado Windsor 3.3 mi 5.8
Boltz Middle School Fort Collins 3.1 mi 5.5
Mountain Sage Community School Fort Collins 3.8 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80528 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,133

Median Home Value

$654,200

Median Rent

$1,906/mo

Population

24,233

College Educated

63.3%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

20.4 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

34.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chatfield High School Littleton, CO 8.0
George Washington High School Denver, CO 8.0
Thunderridge High School Highlands Ranch, CO 8.0
Arapahoe High School Centennial, CO 8.1
D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School Denver, CO 7.9
Dakota Ridge Senior High School Littleton, CO 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fossil Ridge High School

What grades does Fossil Ridge High School serve?

Fossil Ridge High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Fossil Ridge High School?

Fossil Ridge High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,968 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fossil Ridge High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fossil Ridge High School is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fossil Ridge High School rank in CO?

Fossil Ridge High School ranks #309 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Fossil Ridge High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fossil Ridge High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Fossil Ridge High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fossil Ridge High School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Fossil Ridge High School a charter school?

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

Is Fossil Ridge High School a Title I school?

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

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

15.9% of students at Fossil Ridge 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
18 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,968
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
101
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Larimer County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.9%
4-Year Graduation
94.0%

District

Poudre School District R-1
District Enrollment
29,772
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,995
District Rank
#19 of 51

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