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Average

#1020 of 1,815 schools in CO

Palmer High School

High School · Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E

301 NORTH NEVADA AVENUE, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Enrollment

1,344

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,020 of 1,815

In Colorado Springs

#100 of 180

public schools

In district

#23 of 57

Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E

Equity

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Palmer High School

5.9/10

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

Community Prep Charter School

6.0/10

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

Columbia Elementary School

5.7/10

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

About Palmer High School

Palmer High School is a public high school in Colorado Springs, CO, part of Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E. Palmer High School serves approximately 1,344 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Palmer High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,020 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Palmer High School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • CO avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

62% of students at Palmer 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 Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness6.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate74%
AP Participation8.8%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,835
Chronic Absenteeism62.1%

Palmer High School — Students at Palmer High School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.1% (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
79%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
43%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
44%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
14%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
26%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Palmer High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
44th percentile in CO
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.7
Sports
25
13 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
62.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered IB Programme
8.8% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·1,189 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
13 boys'·12 girls'·44 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 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

301 NORTH NEVADA AVENUE, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palmer High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. The Vanguard School (High) (rated 7.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Community Prep Charter School (rated 6.0/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Eastlake High School of Colorado Springs (rated 4.4/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Colorado Springs, see our Colorado Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Community Prep Charter School Colorado Springs 0.3 mi 6.0
Columbia Elementary School Colorado Springs 0.6 mi 5.7
North Middle School Colorado Springs 0.8 mi 6.8
Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind Colorado Springs 0.8 mi 6.9
Bristol Elementary School Colorado Springs 0.9 mi 8.0
Buena Vista Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.1 mi 7.3
Steele Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.4 mi 8.0
Taylor Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.3 mi 6.9
The Vanguard School (High) Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 7.4
The Vanguard School (Middle) Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 8.4
GOLDEN MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL LLC Colorado Springs 1.9 mi
GIVING TREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Colorado Springs 1.6 mi
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Colorado Springs 2.0 mi 7.5
Queen Palmer Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.6 mi 7.0
The Vanguard School (Elementary) Colorado Springs 2.1 mi 7.7
Eastlake High School of Colorado Springs Colorado Springs 1.7 mi 4.4
Galileo School of Math and Science Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 3.0
Mann Middle School Colorado Springs 2.2 mi 3.9
Stratton Meadows Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.3 mi 3.4
West Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80903 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,292

Median Home Value

$420,000

Median Rent

$1,221/mo

Population

17,045

College Educated

39.5%

Homeownership

41.5%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

19.2%

Median Age

34.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Vista Ridge High School Colorado Springs, CO 5.9
Frederick Senior High School Frederick, CO 5.8
Hinkley High School Aurora, CO 5.8
Northglenn High School Northglenn, CO 5.8
Roosevelt High School Johnstown, CO 5.8
Skyline High School Longmont, CO 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palmer High School

What grades does Palmer High School serve?

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

How many students attend Palmer High School?

Palmer High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,344 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Palmer 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 Palmer High School rank in CO?

Palmer High School ranks #1,020 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Palmer High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Palmer High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Palmer High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Palmer High School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Palmer High School a charter school?

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

Is Palmer High School a Title I school?

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

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

64.4% of students at Palmer 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
95 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
59 Good Transit
Bike Score
96 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,344
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
69
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
El Paso County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
62.1%
4-Year Graduation
74.0%

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