The Vanguard School (high)

The Vanguard School is a public charter high school in Colorado Springs serving students in grades 9 through 12. It enrolls 303 students at a 9.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio — a class size profile that supports direct instruction. On the MySchoolScout composite index, Vanguard earns a 9.1/10 overall and a perfect 10.0/10 academic score, earning the platform's top Exceptional rating.

The statewide standing is equally strong. Vanguard ranks third out of Colorado's 403 public high schools and 16th out of 1,815 public schools across the state — outperforming 99% of all Colorado schools. In Colorado Springs, only one public school ranks higher among the city's 180, putting Vanguard second in the local high school market.

As a charter school, Vanguard operates independently of the traditional district framework. For families comparing high school options in Colorado Springs, the data makes a straightforward case: a perfect academic score, a top-two city rank, and a place in the top 1% of all public schools statewide. That combination is rare across Colorado, and within the city, no public school comes close to matching it except one.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, The Vanguard School (high) offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

The Vanguard School (high) is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.