2024 Best Public High Schools in Larimer County

• Poudre School District, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  107 reviews

Freshman: Liberty is a fantastic school if you are looking for a challenge and great academics. The teachers and staff are amazing and genuinely care about their students. Also, the academic help team is very very helpful. If anyone is struggling with getting caught up or just not understanding the topic, they personally come up with a personalized plan tailored to each student on how best they can improve. Unlike other schools, Liberty cares about the students and I willing to do whatever is necessary to best accommodate their students and staff.... Read 107 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,150

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  440 reviews

Senior: This school has so many opportunities for students to challenge themselves and go further than that. I have taken the AP classes and concurrent enrollment with the community college; both are so helpful in helping me out with my future college plans. All of these classes are free through the school, with exceptions for testing and failing classes, but besides that, the courses are available to everyone. If a student exceeds the courses available from the school, the school pays for the student to take a class from a university. The school promotes diversity and the well-being of students as well. We have days dedicated to bringing our school community together and showing their care for our mental health. However, one challenge I have is that majority of the counselors are meant for scheduling, rather than counseling. We have resources available with a few counselors meant for our mental health, but it would be nice for all of our counselors to prioritize that rather than our schedule.... Read 440 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,263

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  369 reviews

Senior: Great school with lots of opportunities. The music program is excellent and there are a lot of opportunities to get involved. Students are supportive of each other and the school fosters a caring environment. The administration could improve, there are some policies that are not effective in disciplining students. Most teachers are awesome and find ways to connect with students. There are clubs, sports, and activities for anyone who wants to be involved. There is also an excellent work-based learning program for students who want to get credit for their jobs, but support for students applying to college is very limited (counselors are not trained, and there are very basic seminars available to students for applications). This school is the oldest school in Fort Collins, and so there is a lot of history and traditions.... Read 369 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,989

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  77 reviews

Sophomore: Ridgeview is a wonderful school that allows a student to be challenged. Although homework and stress levels were originally a major problem, Ridgeview's faculty has become much more reasonable in assigning homework and moderating students' workloads. Communication around the school has also improved drastically and students have learned to become comfortable talking to teachers about stress levels and whether they are assigning immense amounts of homework. The faculty overall is amazing...they are caring and extremely understanding. The school however still challenges you and pushes you past your comfort zone. Previously, complaints were often ignored and students' opinions were neglected, however this has become a much less severe problem. Ridgeview Classical Schools overall is a great school.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 737

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  315 reviews

Alum: I had a great time at rocky! It truly has a community like no other where staff and students all respect each other and work together. There are so many opportunities to get involved or try new things and the only thing i regret was not reaching out sooner. You can really feel the lobo way during football games where booing isn't allowed and during the holidays when we work together to serve the community. Rocky is really more than a school its a community and a way of life.... Read 315 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,087

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  301 reviews

Alum: I graduated through the International Baccalaureate Program or the IBDP program. I had fantastic teachers along the way that truly cared not only about my education but my well being and success beyond high school. IB prepared me exceedingly well for college. I also participated in track and field, speech and debate, Cross country, NHS, band, and student leadership. Overall Poudre prepared me to be a successful and well rounded adult!... Read 301 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,958

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Thompson School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  286 reviews

Senior: I would say that my time at Loveland High has been critical in forming who I am. I have spent the last 4 years at this school and I have seen myself grow from being here. I have been challenged within this setting and feel as though I am fully prepared to enter college based on what I have learned here. Thompson School District has believed in supporting their students and investing in the future, by believing in this I have participated in college classes, extracurriculars, and clubs. As grateful as I am for these programs I believe all things can easily be improved and I think that with progressing Loveland High there should be more emphasis on these college programs. When I applied it was very obscure and I had to hunt for information. This could be improved by meetings with our counselors, advertising, and interviews. If there were a way to effectively advertise this program can be progressed and continue to have positive impacts on my community and invest in the future.... Read 286 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,515

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Colorado Charter School Institute, CO•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  148 reviews

Parent: The larger class sizes of the public schools made it difficult for my son, the smaller classes allowed for a more pointed focus by the teachers to really involve themselves with their students. We have all four of our children attending and each one has done so much better here!... Read 148 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,186

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Thompson School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  172 reviews

Sophomore: Although I've only been at Thompson Valley for one year thus far which was mostly remote, I still had a great experience! Nearly all my teachers adapted to remote learning to make it better for students, as well as when we transitioned to a hybrid and eventually in-person schedule. TV also took students and teachers safety very seriously in how they responded to the pandemic. Although COVID-19 did make its way through our building, our administrators put in cleaning, distancing, and quarantining procedures that were all sensible and affective. Another thing I really enjoyed at TV was our variety of different classes and extracurriculars. We have the greatest amount of classes for college credit taught at our school, as well as a wide array of clubs and sports. The only thing I would negatively say about TV is that our building could be rebuilt so that it at least looks nicer and has more modern features. Even then though, we did just get a new turf stadium which is pretty fantastic.... Read 172 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,056

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Thompson School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.44 out of 5  224 reviews

Junior: Berthoud stands out because some of its impactful and exceptional teachers. Many of these teachers are very skilled in various disciplines and allow for creative freedom in every subject. I have had many teachers that I can come to for both tutoring and extra help, as well as confide in for advice beyond the classroom. However, athletes at this school are put on a pedestal and it is very encouraged that all students have some sort of involvement with athletics. Just like any high school, the students are hit or miss.... Read 224 reviews

• grade B

• Students 684

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Estes Park School District R-3, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.21 out of 5  80 reviews

Alum: I had some of the most amazing memories there and found some amazing friends, I truly loved almost every aspect which is not common to say about high school. Some of only things I would’ve liked to see change was the grading for equity because it made me feel lazy for not having graded assignments and I wasn’t motivated to do anything because it felt pointless and the administration at times didn’t seem to take serious matters as seriously as some felt was necessary. I do however feel like I connected with many teachers and had some great opportunities.... Read 80 reviews

• grade B

• Students 375

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  40 reviews

Senior: Polaris is an amazing school that allows for freedom of mind. The teachers become your friends and your peers are like family. Polaris is a very non-toxic social environment. The academic side is very good as well. The small class sizes and intelligent teachers help you to become super-smart! My school uses an alternative strategy for teaching which focuses on projects, explorations, and of course outside-the-classroom learning. 10/10 best school ever.... Read 40 reviews

• grade B

• Students 389

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Thompson School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  268 reviews

Senior: Mountain View has a class called Freshman Seminar that’s required as a freshman where you do games and competitions against other classes, build the community, prepare for your future in high school and beyond, and have time to get help with classes and homework. Most teachers really care about their students and them succeeding, and there’s always resources. We have air conditioning, which is a luxury compared to other high schools in the district, and the school is still pretty new. There’s lots of clubs to join and sports and activities to get involved with. Though, Mountain View is known as more of a “druggy” school, which is far from even most of the population of students, but there are the typical student fights and smoking. It’s also a nice location because there’s a ton of restaurants sophomores and up can go to during lunch or off blocks. It’s also known as an artsy school and attracts people for visual and performing arts.... Read 268 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,196

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Thompson School District, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  11 reviews

Senior: I absolutely love the teaching style at LCS. I haven't had a lecture class for anything other than science since I was in middle school as almost all of the classes are seminar-based. I even have a seminar-based math class! The school is rooted in several 'core virtues' and the school is modeled on Aristotle's teachings of the true, the good, and the beautiful. It is a school that not only prepares you with an education but also with character beyond that of most people in society. they teach you to be able to learn for yourself and to formulate meaningful arguments that will become the greatest weapons against the world. Since LCS is a K-12, I have had the opportunity to attended for ten years. Although I have not enjoyed every minute of it, LCS has cultivated my love for learning and motivated me to continue to study and enjoy learning itself. LCS is HIGHLY recommended.... Read 11 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 949

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Sophomore: As a student who has gone both to public and private schools, this school has been welcoming towards me and other students. Having emotionally available and supportive teachers and staff to help inspire others in their interest is something that I have found missing in other schools. Coming from a large public high school to Compass was a completely different experience. I can do individual learning for topics that I'm really interested in and I get credit for it. I also have teachers that check in on both my progress in school, giving me immediate and beneficial feedback, ideas, and checking in on my life overall. In addition to having a really amazing education, focusing on the core classes (I've been progressing so much, the difference between last year and now is astonishing), connecting with community partners such as CSU, and having competency (Communicate, Act, Reflect, Engage), I've been able to mentally grow. Compass is a great place to learn and grow as a individual!... Read 5 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 173

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Thompson School District, CO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: Great alternative school, when you need smaller classes this is the place to go, the teachers are amazing and the community is tight knit like a family... Read 1 review

• grade B minus

• Students 113

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  25 reviews

Senior: I love PSD Global Academy because everyone is welcomed here. The teachers always care about the students individually and will go out of their way to make sure they are learning their best. I have had an amazing learning experience here and I am very lucky to have had the opportunity of being in this school. I wouldn't change anything about this school because I see how the amazing community here positively impacts not only myself, but others around me every day.... Read 25 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 496

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Senior: School was really hard for me growing up, since I’ve always struggled with both physical and mental illness. This school gave me a chance to do what I could and reduced my struggles by a lot. It gave me community, and teachers that cared and reached out. It really changed the way I saw education, for the better :)... Read 4 reviews

• grade C

• Students 274

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Poudre School District, CO•

• 9-12

• grade C minus

• Students 125

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Thompson School District, CO•

• K-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 112

• Student-teacher ratio 112:1

• Colorado Charter School Institute, CO•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: My oldest has been at CECW since they opened and now I have a 7th grader too. We have loved this school and teachers and staff. I love how my kids get tested for math and English and get put in the class of their level not just their grade. I would highly recommend.... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 98

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Estes Park School District R-3, CO•

• K-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 32

• Student-teacher ratio 32:1