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Very Good

#622 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 34% 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

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Collins

#21 of 45

public schools

Colorado high schools

#106 of 403

In district

#24 of 51

Poudre School District R-1

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Fossil Ridge High School

Fossil Ridge High School serves 1,968 students in grades 9-12 in Fort Collins, Colorado, establishing itself as a strong academic performer in the state. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking 266th out of 1,831 Colorado schools, the school places in the 86th percentile statewide. The school's academic score of 9.6 out of 10 reflects particularly impressive performance, with 65% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics across all grade levels.

The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.5 to 1 with 101 full-time equivalent teachers, providing solid instructional support for its large student body. Fossil Ridge draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $120,109 and 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 6% and median home values of $615,900 reflect the area's economic stability.

Located on Ziegler Road in this thriving mid-size city, Fossil Ridge High School benefits from Fort Collins' blend of educational excellence and Colorado's outdoor lifestyle, serving families in one of the region's most prosperous communities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.8Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83%
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+19.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,223

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 65.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 84.5%
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
68%
ELA
86%
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: 4.4/10.

How Fossil Ridge High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in CO
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
101 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
21% participation·23 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · 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 very similar rating. Another option is Colorado Early Colleges Windsor (rated 6.4/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Windsor), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins (rated 4.7/10, 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 5.3
Zach Elementary School Fort Collins 0.6 mi 7.2
Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School Fort Collins 0.8 mi 7.7
Traut Core Elementary School Fort Collins 0.8 mi 6.6
Linton Elementary School Fort Collins 1.5 mi 4.9
Bacon Elementary School Fort Collins 1.4 mi 5.3
Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins Fort Collins 1.7 mi 4.7
Fort Collins High School Fort Collins 2.1 mi 7.2
Kruse Elementary School Fort Collins 1.9 mi 8.0
Timnath Elementary School Timnath 2.1 mi 7.3
Academy of Arts and Knowledge Elementary Ft. Collins 2.0 mi 3.4
Shepardson Elementary School Fort Collins 2.6 mi 9.2
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 6.4
Liberty Common Charter School Fort Collins 3.5 mi 5.3
FRONT RANGE BAPTIST ACADEMY Fort Collins 2.7 mi 6.5
Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado Windsor 3.3 mi 6.4
Boltz Middle School Fort Collins 3.1 mi 6.7
Mountain Sage Community School Fort Collins 3.8 mi 7.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fossil Ridge High School has a median household income of $122,133. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $654,200, with a median rent of $1,906/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. 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
Boulder High School Boulder, CO 7.1
East High School Denver, 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 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 is ranked #622 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Fossil Ridge High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fossil Ridge 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 Fossil Ridge High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fossil Ridge High School has 65.3% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,442/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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