Skip to main content

Very Good

#648 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 36% in state

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

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Colorado Springs

#67 of 180

public schools

Colorado high schools

#111 of 403

In district

#21 of 57

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

Equity

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Palmer High School

Palmer High School serves 1,344 students in grades 9-12 in Colorado Springs, offering a comprehensive high school experience with 69 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. As a regular public school, Palmer ranks in the 38th percentile statewide, placing #1138 out of 1,831 Colorado high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. The school shows room for academic growth, with 26% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in mathematics across grade levels.

Palmer's academic score of 5.3 out of 10 reflects ongoing efforts to support student achievement in this diverse urban environment. Located at 301 North Nevada Avenue, Palmer High School sits in the heart of Colorado Springs in the 80903 ZIP code area. This neighborhood of 17,046 residents has a median household income of $55,184 and a median home value of $372,900.

The community shows educational engagement with 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though 21.5% of families face economic challenges with incomes below the poverty line. Palmer High School operates within Colorado Springs' large city setting, serving students from a community that balances both opportunities and socioeconomic diversity in this vibrant Colorado city.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness9.1Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.8%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,342

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 28.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.5%
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
33%
ELA
55%
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
7.0/10
64th percentile in CO
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
8.8% participation·1,189 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · 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 9.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Community Prep Charter School (rated 7.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Eastlake High School of Colorado Springs (rated 5.2/10, 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 7.4
Columbia Elementary School Colorado Springs 0.6 mi 4.3
North Middle School Colorado Springs 0.8 mi 8.6
Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind Colorado Springs 0.8 mi 6.3
Bristol Elementary School Colorado Springs 0.9 mi 7.8
Buena Vista Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.1 mi 8.5
Steele Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.4 mi 8.2
Taylor Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.3 mi 7.9
The Vanguard School (High) Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 9.1
The Vanguard School (Middle) Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 6.2
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 9.1
The Vanguard School (Elementary) Colorado Springs 2.1 mi 4.8
Eastlake High School of Colorado Springs Colorado Springs 1.7 mi 5.2
Galileo School of Math and Science Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 5.4
Mann Middle School Colorado Springs 2.2 mi 4.3
Stratton Meadows Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.3 mi 4.4
West Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 6.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Palmer High School has a median household income of $59,292. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,000, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.2%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
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
Poudre High School Fort Collins, CO 7.0
Pueblo County High School Pueblo, CO 7.0
Summit High School Frisco, CO 7.0

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 is ranked #648 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Palmer High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Palmer High School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Palmer High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmer High School has 28.3% math proficiency and 56.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
92 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (4,194/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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.