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Excellent

#268 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 15% 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

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#268 of 1,815

In Denver

#52 of 222

public schools

In district

#51 of 196

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

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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South High School

8.1/10

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

St Vincent De Paul Catholic School

4.8/10

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

Sophia Montessori Academy

Nearby

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

About South High School

South High School is a public high school in Denver, CO, part of School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C. South High School serves approximately 1,846 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. South High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #268 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for South High School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.7
  • CO avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at South 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 Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency54% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate91%
AP Participation40%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,206
Chronic Absenteeism35.6%

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 30.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.1% (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
37%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
38%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
14%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
19%
ELA
45%
2013
Math
25%
ELA
49%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
41%
ELA
71%
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: 9.7/10.

How South High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
85th percentile in CO
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.7
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
98 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
40% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

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. McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Steele Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cory Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 8.4
RICKS CENTER FOR GIFTED CHILDREN Denver 0.9 mi 8.5
Grant Beacon Middle School Denver 0.9 mi 7.4
Cory Elementary School Denver 0.9 mi 9.1
McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School Denver 0.9 mi 9.2
Lincoln Elementary School Denver 1.1 mi 8.2
Steele Elementary School Denver 1.3 mi 9.2
Merrill Middle School Denver 1.1 mi 8.7
Creativity Challenge Community Denver 1.1 mi 8.8
Stephen Knight Center for Early Education Denver 1.2 mi 7.5
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 8.8
ACCELERATED SCHOOLS Denver 1.4 mi
DSST: Cedar Middle School Denver 1.7 mi 9.0
DSST: Cedar High School Denver 1.7 mi 9.0
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arapahoe High School Centennial, CO 8.1
Mountain Vista High School Highlands Ranch, CO 8.1
Ralston Valley Senior High School Arvada, CO 8.1
Chatfield High School Littleton, CO 8.0
East High School Denver, CO 8.2
Fossil Ridge High School Fort Collins, 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 ranks #268 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is South High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 South High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South High School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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
40 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
84 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.6%
4-Year Graduation
91.0%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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