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Very Good

#659 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 36% in state

Poudre High School

High School · Poudre School District R-1

201 IMPALA DRIVE, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Enrollment

1,572

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Collins

#22 of 45

public schools

Colorado high schools

#115 of 403

In district

#25 of 51

Poudre School District R-1

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Poudre High School

Poudre High School serves 1,572 students in grades 9-12 in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1 and 91 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #652 out of 1,831 Colorado high schools, placing it in the 64th percentile statewide. Academically, Poudre High School shows solid performance with a 7.3 out of 10 academic score, though mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 38% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels.

The school serves a diverse community where 31.9% of families experience poverty, yet the area maintains a highly educated population with 61% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school's ZIP code area of 80521 houses 38,200 residents with a median household income of $51,712 and median home values of $494,700, reflecting Fort Collins' mix of working families and college-educated professionals. This creates an interesting dynamic where educational aspirations run high despite economic challenges for many families.

Poudre High School operates in Fort Collins' mid-size city environment, benefiting from the community resources and cultural opportunities that come with being located in this vibrant Colorado college town.

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-1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.9%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,223

Poudre High School — Students at Poudre High School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.5%
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
44%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
38%

* 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 Poudre High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in CO
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
91 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
13.9% participation·147 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

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

Location

201 IMPALA DRIVE, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poudre High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Compass Community Collaborative School (rated 8.3/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rocky Mountain High School (rated 6.7/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Centennial High School (rated 6.1/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fort Collins, see our Fort Collins schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Poudre Community Academy Fort Collins 0.3 mi 4.8
Irish Elementary School Fort Collins 0.5 mi 8.0
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School Fort Collins 0.8 mi 5.3
Bauder Elementary School Fort Collins 1.4 mi 6.7
Lincoln Middle School Fort Collins 1.2 mi 7.2
Putnam Elementary School Fort Collins 1.1 mi 8.9
Blevins Middle School Fort Collins 1.9 mi 5.0
Bennett Elementary School Fort Collins 1.7 mi 7.8
Dunn Elementary School Fort Collins 1.6 mi 7.2
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Collins 2.1 mi 5.9
Rocky Mountain High School Fort Collins 2.9 mi 6.7
Cache La Poudre Elementary School Laporte 3.0 mi 5.9
Cache La Poudre Middle School Laporte 3.0 mi 7.8
Olander Elementary School Fort Collins 3.2 mi 6.8
Axis International Academy Fort Collins 3.3 mi 5.2
Centennial High School Fort Collins 2.6 mi 6.1
Compass Community Collaborative School Fort Collins 2.9 mi 8.3
Harris Bilingual Elementary School Fort Collins 2.9 mi 6.4
Beattie Elementary School Fort Collins 3.3 mi 5.1
Lesher Middle School Fort Collins 3.2 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,679

Median Home Value

$541,300

Median Rent

$1,412/mo

Population

38,217

College Educated

62.7%

Homeownership

36.9%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

32%

Median Age

23

Community Profile

The community surrounding Poudre High School has a median household income of $52,679. 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 $541,300, with a median rent of $1,412/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
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
Palmer High School Colorado Springs, CO 7.0
Pueblo County High School Pueblo, CO 7.0
Summit High School Frisco, CO 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poudre High School

What grades does Poudre High School serve?

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

How many students attend Poudre High School?

Poudre High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,572 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Poudre High School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poudre High School rank in CO?

Poudre High School is ranked #659 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Poudre High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Poudre 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 Poudre High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poudre High School has 39.3% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Poudre High School a charter school?

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

Is Poudre High School a Title I school?

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

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

44.8% of students at Poudre 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
16 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
67 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
1,572
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
91
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.8%
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
#25 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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