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Excellent

#104 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 6% in state

South High School

High School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

1700 EAST LOUISIANA AVENUE, Denver, CO 80210

Enrollment

1,846

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

8.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#21 of 222

public schools

Colorado high schools

#11 of 403

In district

#21 of 196

School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About South High School

South High School is a public high school in Denver, CO, part of the School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C. The school serves approximately 1,846 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 94.3th percentile among CO schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 39% proficiency in math and 62% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $120,156, where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation40%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,336

South High School — Students at South High School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
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
38%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
37%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How South High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.5/10
94th percentile in CO
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
98 teachers

Location

1700 EAST LOUISIANA AVENUE, Denver, CO 80210

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. RICKS CENTER FOR GIFTED CHILDREN (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Merrill Middle School (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
ST VINCENT DE PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver 0.5 mi 4.8
SOPHIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Denver 0.6 mi
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denver 0.8 mi 6.6
Asbury Elementary School Denver 0.9 mi 7.5
RICKS CENTER FOR GIFTED CHILDREN Denver 0.9 mi 8.5
Grant Beacon Middle School Denver 0.9 mi 7.1
Cory Elementary School Denver 0.9 mi 5.9
McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School Denver 0.9 mi 8.5
Lincoln Elementary School Denver 1.1 mi 8.2
Steele Elementary School Denver 1.3 mi 8.0
Merrill Middle School Denver 1.1 mi 8.3
Creativity Challenge Community Denver 1.1 mi 7.8
Stephen Knight Center for Early Education Denver 1.2 mi 6.6
ROCK SOLID CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver 1.4 mi 7.1
ROCK SOLID CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver 1.4 mi 5.8
University Park Elementary School Denver 1.5 mi 8.2
ACCELERATED SCHOOLS Denver 1.4 mi
DSST: Cedar Middle School Denver 1.7 mi 7.4
DSST: Cedar High School Denver 1.7 mi 7.2
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF WASHINGTON PARK Denver 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$120,156

Median Home Value

$870,500

Median Rent

$1,963/mo

Population

39,155

College Educated

76.5%

Homeownership

55.7%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

35.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding South High School has a median household income of $120,156. It is a well-educated community where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $870,500, with a median rent of $1,963/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Northfield High School Denver, CO 8.5
George Washington High School Denver, CO 8.7
North High School Denver, CO 8.2
Centaurus High School Lafayette, CO 8.0
Littleton High School Littleton, CO 8.0
Loveland High School Loveland, CO 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South High School

What grades does South High School serve?

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

How many students attend South High School?

South High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,846 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South High School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South High School rank in CO?

South High School is ranked #104 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is South High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South High School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 South High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South High School has 38.7% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South High School a charter school?

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

Is South High School a Title I school?

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

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

38.6% of students at South 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
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,773/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,846
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
98
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Denver 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

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