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Average

#992 of 1,815 schools in CO

Rifle High School

High School · Garfield School District No. Re-2

1350 PREFONTAINE AVE, Rifle, CO 81650

Enrollment

839

Student-Teacher

20.5:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rifle

#1 of 5

public schools

Colorado high schools

#211 of 403

In district

#3 of 10

Garfield School District No. Re-2

About Rifle High School

Rifle High School serves approximately 839 students in grades 9 through 12 in the remote town of Rifle, located in Garfield County, Colorado. The school operates as a regular public high school with 41 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1. Academically, Rifle High School is currently experiencing challenges and areas for growth.

The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1333 out of 1831 Colorado schools, placing it in the 27th percentile statewide. Students show stronger performance in ELA and reading, where 37% of students are proficient or above, though math proficiency is lower at 22%. The school's overall academic score reflects the need for continued focus on student achievement and support across core subjects.

Despite these academic metrics, Rifle High School remains an important educational institution for the Rifle community, serving as the primary high school option for families in this remote area. The school's setting in a small, isolated town shapes its role as a central part of local community life.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Rifle High School is 20.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.8%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,122

Rifle High School — Students at Rifle High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
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
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
22%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Rifle High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
45th percentile in CO
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
17.8% participation·29 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

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

Location

1350 PREFONTAINE AVE, Rifle, CO 81650

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rifle High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Plateau Valley High School (rated 8.3/10, 24.0 miles away, in nearby Collbran), which scores notably higher. Another option is Grand Valley High School (rated 8.2/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Parachute), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Grand Mesa High School (rated 4.7/10, 23.2 miles away, in nearby Collbran), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rifle, see our Rifle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Rifle Middle School Rifle 0.5 mi 6.1
Wamsley Elementary School Rifle 1.3 mi 4.1
Highland Elementary School Rifle 1.4 mi 5.0
Graham Mesa Elementary School Rifle 1.6 mi 5.1
Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt 6.9 mi 4.2
Coal Ridge High School New Castle 9.7 mi 3.2
LIBERTY CLASSICAL ACADEMY New Castle 13.1 mi 5.2
Grand Valley Middle School Parachute 13.9 mi 4.2
Elk Creek Elementary New Castle 13.5 mi 5.5
AMBLESIDE AT SKYLARK New Castle 13.9 mi 6.5
Riverside School New Castle 14.1 mi 6.4
Kathryn Senor Elementary School New Castle 14.1 mi 7.6
Grand Valley Center for Family Learning Parachute 15.3 mi 5.8
Bea Underwood Elementary School Parachute 15.8 mi 4.2
Grand Valley High School Parachute 15.9 mi 8.2
Grand Mesa High School Collbran 23.2 mi 4.7
Plateau Valley Elementary School Collbran 24.0 mi 8.1
Plateau Valley High School Collbran 24.0 mi 8.3
Plateau Valley Junior High School Collbran 24.0 mi 6.1
Two Rivers Community School Glenwood Springs 22.6 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81650 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,506

Median Home Value

$397,100

Median Rent

$1,236/mo

Population

14,071

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

75.9%

Avg Commute

31.8 min

Poverty Rate

7.6%

Median Age

33.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rifle High School has a median household income of $81,506. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $397,100, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Northeast Early College Denver, CO 6.2
Conifer Senior High School Conifer, CO 6.3
Mead High School Longmont, CO 6.3
Standley Lake High School Westminster, CO 6.3
Berthoud High School Berthoud, CO 6.1
East High School Pueblo, CO 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rifle High School

What grades does Rifle High School serve?

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

How many students attend Rifle High School?

Rifle High School has an enrollment of approximately 839 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Rifle High School is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rifle High School rank in CO?

Rifle High School is ranked #992 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Rifle High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rifle High School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Rifle High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rifle High School has 22.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rifle High School a charter school?

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

Is Rifle High School a Title I school?

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

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

32.4% of students at Rifle 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,310/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
839
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Garfield County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Garfield School District No. Re-2
District Enrollment
4,786
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,874
District Rank
#3 of 10

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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