Ponderosa High School, commonly referred to as Pondo or PHS, is a public high school in Parker, Colorado. It is part of the Douglas County School District RE-1.
Serving 1,406 students in grades 9-12, Ponderosa High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Colorado for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40% (which is higher than the Colorado state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 77% (which is higher than the Colorado state average of 45%).
The student-teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Colorado state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Colorado state average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,406 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 23%
- Graduation Rate: 93% (Top 20% in CO)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 40% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 77% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 32% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Ponderosa High School serves the northeast part of Parker, CO, covering an area of approximately 100.1 square miles. Most students typically have a 10-15 minute drive to school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 11.5 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Ponderosa High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Ponderosa High School's student population of 1,406 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 69 teachers has declined by 15% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,406 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
69 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1983
School Calendar
School Motto
Ponderosa High School Proud, Productive, Proven!!
School Rankings
Ponderosa High School ranks within the top 20% of all 1,748 schools in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ponderosa High School is 0.39, 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
#311 out of 1748 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
33%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
77%
45%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)32%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
15:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 1993–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
3%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
15%
37%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
2%
5%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
White
77%
49%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
4%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
93%
82.7%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)20.6%
33.6%
Eligible for Free Lunch
15%
39%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Cardinal and Gold
School Mascot
Mustangs
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ponderosa High School's ranking?
Ponderosa High School is ranked #311 out of 1,748 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Colorado.
What schools are Ponderosa High School often compared to?
Ponderosa High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Legend High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CO state average), while 77% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% CO state average).
What is the graduation rate of Ponderosa High School?
The graduation rate of Ponderosa High School is 93%, which is higher than the Colorado state average of 82.7%.
How many students attend Ponderosa High School?
1,406 students attend Ponderosa High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
77% of Ponderosa High School students are White, 15% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Ponderosa High School?
Ponderosa High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Colorado state average of 15:1.
What grades does Ponderosa High School offer ?
Ponderosa High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Ponderosa High School part of?
Ponderosa High School is part of Douglas County School District No. Re 1.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
Great school and sense of school pride. Wonderful athletics program. Proud to be an alumni.
Review Ponderosa High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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