South High School is a historical public high school in the Washington Park neighborhood on the south side of Denver, Colorado, United States. It is part of Denver Public Schools, and is one of four original high schools in Denver. The other three are East, North, and West.
Serving 1,950 students in grades 9-12, South High School ranks in the top 50% 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 35% (which is higher than the Colorado state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 59% (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 49% 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: 1,950 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 49%
- Graduation Rate: 92% (Top 20% in CO)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 35% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 59% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 37% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: South High School serves the southwest part of Denver, CO, covering an area of approximately 11.1 square miles. Most students can expect a typical drive of 5-10 minutes, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 3.2 miles from the school.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
South High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Graduation Rate
School Overview
South High School's student population of 1,950 students has grown by 13% over five school years.
The teacher population of 100 teachers has grown by 11% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,950 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
100 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1926
School Calendar
School Rankings
South High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,748 schools in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of South High School is 0.64, which is more 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
#564 out of 1748 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
33%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
59%
45%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)37%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
15:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
4%
3%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
30%
37%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
8%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
51%
49%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
7%
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
92%
82.7%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)33.7%
33.6%
Eligible for Free Lunch
35%
39%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Purple
School Mascot
Ravens
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South High School's ranking?
South High School is ranked #564 out of 1,748 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Colorado.
What schools are South High School often compared to?
South High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like East High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CO state average), while 59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% CO state average).
What is the graduation rate of South High School?
The graduation rate of South High School is 92%, which is higher than the Colorado state average of 82.7%.
How many students attend South High School?
1,950 students attend South High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
51% of South High School students are White, 30% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 4% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of South High School?
South High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Colorado state average of 15:1.
What grades does South High School offer ?
South High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is South High School part of?
South High School is part of School District No. 1 In The County Of Denver And State Of C.
In what neighborhood is South High School located?
South High School is located in the South Denver neighborhood of Denver, CO. There are 5 other public schools located in South Denver.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
South HS is a perfect size and a terrific college prep high school in South Denver. The facilities and campus are historic as well as the best that any DPS high school has to offer. This school offers 19 AP classes and is on the cutting edge of urban education. They have AVID and are a national training site for that program. This is a program for average students to move up into a college prep course track with a lot of teacher mentors to keep them on track. They have every varsity sport including mens lacrosse with outstanding coaches.This is a diverse population school and some families are frightened by that and stay away. What a shame as this is what allows for all the students to have a more global view/education and are quite attractive to the very selective colleges and universities that love South graduates.Our two children were very successful and happy at South and had an excellent education there, and were recent graduates. They are currently attending highly selective colleges in the East coast.
5 10/10/2025
I love South HS because of its diversity, great teachers and staff & very sports-oriented!
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