Colfax High School is a four-year public high school in Colfax, California in the United States. It is in the Placer Union High School District in Placer County. The school currently serves about 700 students living between Auburn, Grass Valley, and Alta/Dutch Flat.
Serving 611 students in grades 9-12, Colfax High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 35-39% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 65-69% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 611 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 24%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 20% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 35-39% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 65-69% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 45-49% (Top 20%)
- Attendance Zone: Colfax High serves the northwest part of its school district in Colfax, CA, covering an area of approximately 236.3 square miles. Families can typically expect a drive of 20-30 minutes to the school, with the average distance from the school to the edge of the attendance zone being about 10.7 miles and the furthest edge located 25.6 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Colfax High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Colfax High School's student population of 611 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 28 teachers has grown by 12% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
611 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1959
School Calendar
Campus Size
40 acres (160,000 m2)
Average Class Size
25 students
School Rankings
Colfax High School ranks within the top 30% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Colfax High School is 0.40, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2317 out of 9523 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
65-69%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
21:1
Showing 2014–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
12%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
10%
56%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
1%
5%
Showing 2001–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
White
76%
20%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
11%
6%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
≥95%
86.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)19.8%
27.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
21%
54%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
8%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Green
School Mascot
Falcon
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colfax High School's ranking?
Colfax High School is ranked #2317 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in California.
What schools are Colfax High School often compared to?
Colfax High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Placer High School, Del Oro High School, Foresthill High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35-39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 65-69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Colfax High School?
The graduation rate of Colfax High School is 95%, which is higher than the California state average of 86.2%.
How many students attend Colfax High School?
611 students attend Colfax High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
76% of Colfax High School students are White, 11% of students are Two or more races, 10% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Colfax High School?
Colfax High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Colfax High School offer ?
Colfax High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Colfax High School part of?
Colfax High School is part of Placer Union High School District.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
Poor offering of AP classes. Can't even take them until Jr. year. No support for the arts. All the support for their football. Low level of parent involvement. Academic class quality fall very short of other high schools similar size. Wood shop taught in Tech Essentials a computer class, computer instruction consequently very limited. Extracurricular activities are few and far between. The school's main extracurricular expenditure of dollars and time is football. Big bully and drug problems. I overheard a drug exchange while picking up my children in the parking lot. School doesn't seem to be able to handle their discord. Very cliquey, unfriendly atmosphere.
5 10/10/2025
Great school with a focus in education. This is an IB school with many AP classes starting freshman year. The school is lead by an energetic administration, and a faculty that is engaged with the students. The arts are well represented including the national award-winning choir! Sports excel with many section titles including football, boys and girls' basketball and baseball. Many clubs available to join including one of the largest Leo's clubs in the state. Parents can be involved as much as they want and are encouraged to do so. Besides being a great school the campus setting is picturesque!
Review Colfax High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
