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Below Average

#1662 of 1,815 schools in CO

Vista Ridge High School

High School · El Paso County Colorado School District 49

6888 BLACK FOREST ROAD, Colorado Springs, CO 80923

Enrollment

1,479

Student-Teacher

19.7:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Colorado Springs

#163 of 180

public schools

Colorado high schools

#372 of 403

In district

#28 of 30

El Paso County Colorado School District 49

Equity

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Vista Ridge High School

Vista Ridge High School serves 1,479 students in grades 9-12 in Colorado Springs, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.7:1 across 75 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #1118 out of 1831 high schools statewide, placing it in the 39th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. Academically, Vista Ridge shows room for growth, with 27% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics.

The school's academic score of 5.6 out of 10 indicates opportunities for continued development in student achievement and instructional programs. The school draws from an affluent community in the 80923 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $96,965 and median home values are $403,300. Nearly half of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains low at just 4.1%.

This economically stable neighborhood of over 31,000 residents provides a supportive foundation for the school community. Located on Black Forest Road in Colorado Springs, Vista Ridge High School serves families in this large city setting within El Paso County. The school operates within a community that values education and maintains strong economic foundations, positioning it well to support student growth and development in the years ahead.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness3.5Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,145

Vista Ridge High School — Students at Vista Ridge High School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.5%
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
31%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
27%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Vista Ridge High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
9th percentile in CO
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
75 teachers

Location

6888 BLACK FOREST ROAD, Colorado Springs, CO 80923

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vista Ridge High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Freedom Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Scott Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Colorado Springs, see our Colorado Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Ridgeview Elementary School Colorado Springs 0.7 mi 7.5
Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy Colorado Springs 0.7 mi 7.8
Skyview Middle School Colorado Springs 0.9 mi 6.2
Grand Peak Academy Colorado Springs 1.5 mi 6.1
Stetson Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 7.5
Village Middle School Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 7.3
Legacy Peak Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 4.4
Odyssey Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 5.8
ALLIES Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 7.1
Banning Lewis Ranch Academy Colorado Springs 1.5 mi 6.1
Freedom Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.6 mi 8.8
Scott Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 7.7
Prairie Hills Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.0 mi 7.0
Rocky Mountain Classical Academy Colorado Springs 2.4 mi 6.0
Springs Ranch Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.6 mi 6.0
Ranch Creek Elementary Colorado Springs 2.5 mi 7.2
Jenkins Middle School Colorado Springs 2.2 mi 6.9
Liberty High School Colorado Springs 2.6 mi 7.6
Inspiration View Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.3 mi 7.6
Timberview Middle School Colorado Springs 2.8 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80923 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$103,556

Median Home Value

$448,800

Median Rent

$1,997/mo

Population

32,333

College Educated

48.7%

Homeownership

70.6%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vista Ridge High School has a median household income of $103,556. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $448,800, with a median rent of $1,997/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Central High School Grand Junction, CO 4.3
Roosevelt High School Johnstown, CO 4.2
Abraham Lincoln High School Denver, CO 4.4
Widefield High School Colorado Springs, CO 4.4
VALOR CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Highlands Ranch, CO 4.5
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College Denver, CO 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vista Ridge High School

What grades does Vista Ridge High School serve?

Vista Ridge High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Vista Ridge High School?

Vista Ridge High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,479 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Ridge High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vista Ridge High School is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vista Ridge High School rank in CO?

Vista Ridge High School is ranked #1662 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Vista Ridge High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vista Ridge High School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Vista Ridge High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Ridge High School has 28.3% math proficiency and 60.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vista Ridge High School a charter school?

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

Is Vista Ridge High School a Title I school?

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

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

35.6% of students at Vista Ridge 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
6 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,194/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,479
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
75
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
El Paso 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

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