Wheat Ridge High School

Summary:

Wheat Ridge High School is a public high school serving 970 students in grades 9-12 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, which is part of the Jefferson County School District No. R-1. The school has a diverse student population, with over 57% White and 36% Hispanic students, and its academic performance is mixed compared to district and state averages.

While Wheat Ridge High School performs better than the state average in some areas, such as CMAS/Science and SAT/Reading and Writing, it lags behind the district average in several subjects, including SAT/Mathematics and PSAT9/Mathematics. The school's performance also varies across different student subgroups, with male students ranking higher (top 109-142 in the state) compared to female students (top 136-153), and Hispanic students (top 121-155) and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds (top 149-160) ranking lower. The school's relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 44.56% to 49.79% over the past three years, suggests the need for targeted interventions to support these student populations.

Compared to nearby schools in the Jefferson County School District, such as Arvada High School and Lakewood High School, Wheat Ridge High School's performance is generally on par or slightly below. However, it outperforms the more distant virtual schools like Jeffco Virtual Academy and Colorado Virtual Academy High School. The school's statewide ranking has also declined from the top 141-159 in 2016-2017 to the current range of 152-157, suggesting the need for a comprehensive review of the school's educational strategies to improve academic outcomes for all students.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 9505 West 32nd Avenue
       Wheat Ridge, CO  80033-5772


(303) 982-7695

District: Jefferson County School District No. R-1

SchoolDigger Rank:
156th of 349 Colorado High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,553 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  16.3 Help
Number of students:  970

Racial breakdown:

White:
57.1%
Hispanic:
36.1%
Two or more races:
3.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  49.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Wheat Ridge High School ranks better than 55.3% of high schools in Colorado. It also ranks 14th among 24 ranked high schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 51.87. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Wheat Ridge High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Wheat Ridge High School has the largest high school student body size in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Wheat Ridge High School is $15,553, which is the 9th highest among 24 high schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Wheat Ridge High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Wheat Ridge High School 156th of 349 Colorado public high schools. (See Wheat Ridge High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Jefferson County School District No. R-1:

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson County School District No. R-1 35th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Wheat Ridge High School?

Rank History for Wheat Ridge High School

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Rank History for all students at Wheat Ridge High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 53.86 134th 279 52.0%
2005 62.44 112th 280 60.0%
2006 55.22 138th 286 51.7%
2007 56.84 143rd 298 52.0%
2008 63.32 120th 301 60.1%
2009 48.34 174th 310 43.9%
2010 47.09 195th 327 40.4%
2011 61.61 146th 337 56.7%
2012 55.16 170th 334 49.1%
2013 51.93 179th 349 48.7%
2014 47.93 200th 369 45.8%
2015 39.64 151st 292 48.3%
2016 35.07 144th 255 43.5%
2017 34.93 141st 256 44.9%
2018 53.78 159th 388 59.0%
2019 53.13 176th 411 57.2%
2021 24.38 154th 210 26.7%
2022 26.48 157th 221 29.0%
2023 51.82 152nd 349 56.4%
2024 51.87 156th 349 55.3%
See the entire list of Colorado High School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Wheat Ridge High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 39.45 38th 60 36.7%
2022 42.18 44th 77 42.9%
See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Wheat Ridge High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 30.52 137th 188 27.1%
2022 24.65 160th 203 21.2%
2023 25.49 157th 200 21.5%
2024 31.11 149th 211 29.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Wheat Ridge High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 37.04 148th 239 38.1%
2022 38.36 153rd 257 40.5%
2023 43.42 142nd 254 44.1%
2024 45.48 136th 257 47.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Wheat Ridge High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 41.82 40th 74 45.9%
2024 29.69 66th 84 21.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Wheat Ridge High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 33.47 98th 118 16.9%
2022 18.51 96th 108 11.1%
2023 37.05 98th 135 27.4%
2024 38.50 105th 140 25.0%
See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Wheat Ridge High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 44.77 134th 240 44.2%
2022 48.68 126th 253 50.2%
2023 54.41 112th 252 55.6%
2024 52.07 109th 256 57.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Wheat Ridge High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 30.42 120th 181 33.7%
2022 24.95 155th 205 24.4%
2023 32.40 126th 198 36.4%
2024 35.67 121st 199 39.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Wheat Ridge High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 38.81 133rd 225 40.9%
2022 41.28 126th 228 44.7%
2023 46.71 125th 234 46.6%
2024 45.03 120th 229 47.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Wheat Ridge High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

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0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Friday, May 28, 2010

Open Quote the school maybe good in athletics but very much lacks in the acedemic area and the school is very dirty and slighty old.also is very over crowded Close Quote



Enrollment information for Wheat Ridge High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1263 9 8 40 3 n/a n/a 0 1323
1989 1446 11 15 58 6 n/a n/a 0 1536
1990 1316 16 22 43 9 n/a n/a 0 1406
1991 1223 19 23 53 8 n/a n/a 0 1326
1992 1270 16 26 73 9 n/a n/a 0 1394
1993 1267 13 23 78 6 n/a n/a 0 1387
1994 1317 14 24 92 9 n/a n/a 0 1456
1995 1355 18 32 100 9 n/a n/a 0 1514
1996 1355 18 32 100 9 n/a n/a 0 1514
1997 1380 18 37 110 8 n/a n/a 0 1553
1998 1350 20 38 133 10 n/a n/a 0 1551
1999 1357 14 31 144 5 n/a n/a 0 1551
2000 1354 15 37 147 7 n/a n/a 0 1560
2001 1339 13 26 147 11 n/a n/a 0 1536
2002 1246 18 38 186 12 n/a n/a 0 1500
2003 1246 18 38 186 12 n/a n/a 0 1500
2004 1191 24 37 207 17 n/a n/a 0 1476
2005 1194 31 31 241 14 n/a n/a 0 1511
2006 1147 31 32 267 16 n/a n/a 0 1493
2007 1123 23 28 246 16 n/a n/a 0 1436
2008 1039 22 30 253 15 n/a n/a 0 1359
2009 936 22 30 275 12 n/a n/a 0 1275
2010 910 22 30 297 17 n/a n/a 0 1276
2011 881 14 12 368 7 2 37 0 1321
2012 834 19 15 411 11 4 39 0 1333
2013 793 15 19 429 11 2 39 0 1308
2014 749 19 17 476 11 2 34 0 1308
2015 687 16 22 492 19 3 35 0 1274
2016 689 22 17 516 21 3 41 0 1309
2017 664 17 15 462 18 2 32 0 1210
2018 670 18 15 476 23 3 45 0 1250
2019 676 15 14 440 15 3 41 0 1204
2020 638 11 15 458 11 2 44 0 1179
2021 623 12 12 458 11 1 35 0 1152
2022 618 15 7 399 9 1 35 0 1084
2023 554 16 8 350 9 0 33 0 970

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Wheat Ridge High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1323 59.3 22.3 n/a
1989 1536 74.4 20.6 2
1990 1406 65.3 21.5 2
1991 1326 62.3 21.2 2
1992 1394 62.8 22.1 3.9
1993 1387 63.8 21.7 4
1994 1456 63.1 23.1 4.1
1995 1514 65.9 23.0 5.9
1996 1514 65.9 23.0 5.9
1997 1553 68.8 22.6 6.4
1998 1551 70.3 22.1 7.5
1999 1551 71.3 21.8 6.1
2000 1560 69.7 22.4 9.6
2001 1536 66.6 23.1 9.3
2002 1500 72.8 20.6 13.1
2003 1500 72.8 20.6 13.1
2004 1476 70.0 21.1 16
2005 1511 71.6 21.1 18
2006 1493 70.1 21.3 23.8
2007 1436 73.2 19.6 23.9
2008 1359 72.4 18.8 25.8
2009 1275 68.6 18.6 25.6
2010 1276 67.4 18.9 33.8
2011 1321 69.8 18.9 37.5
2012 1333 69.2 19.2 42.3
2013 1308 71.5 18.2 44.9
2014 1308 81.6 16.0 47
2015 1274 70.0 18.2 47.3
2016 1309 68.0 19.2 46.2
2017 1210 69.0 17.5 48.5
2018 1250 66.4 18.8 47
2019 1204 67.4 17.8 44.1
2020 1179 64.9 18.1 44.5
2021 1152 67.1 17.1 47.2
2022 1084 62.4 17.3 44.6
2023 970 59.2 16.3 49.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Wheat Ridge High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1323 59.3 22.3 n/a
1989 1536 74.4 20.6 2
1990 1406 65.3 21.5 2
1991 1326 62.3 21.2 2
1992 1394 62.8 22.1 3.9
1993 1387 63.8 21.7 4
1994 1456 63.1 23.1 4.1
1995 1514 65.9 23.0 5.9
1996 1514 65.9 23.0 5.9
1997 1553 68.8 22.6 6.4
1998 1551 70.3 22.1 7.5
1999 1551 71.3 21.8 6.1
2000 1560 69.7 22.4 9.6
2001 1536 66.6 23.1 9.3
2002 1500 72.8 20.6 13.1
2003 1500 72.8 20.6 13.1
2004 1476 70.0 21.1 16
2005 1511 71.6 21.1 18
2006 1493 70.1 21.3 23.8
2007 1436 73.2 19.6 23.9
2008 1359 72.4 18.8 25.8
2009 1275 68.6 18.6 25.6
2010 1276 67.4 18.9 33.8
2011 1321 69.8 18.9 37.5
2012 1333 69.2 19.2 42.3
2013 1308 71.5 18.2 44.9
2014 1308 81.6 16.0 47
2015 1274 70.0 18.2 47.3
2016 1309 68.0 19.2 46.2
2017 1210 69.0 17.5 48.5
2018 1250 66.4 18.8 47
2019 1204 67.4 17.8 44.1
2020 1179 64.9 18.1 44.5
2021 1152 67.1 17.1 47.2
2022 1084 62.4 17.3 44.6
2023 970 59.2 16.3 49.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Wheat Ridge High School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $11,705
2020 $11,974
2021 $11,685
2022 $13,199
2023 $15,553

Data source: Colorado Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Wheat Ridge High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 176th of 411 High schoolsRanks 152nd of 349 High schools
 0.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students1204970
 19.4%
African American1516
 6.7%
American Indian159
 40%
Asian148
 42.9%
Hispanic440350
 20.5%
Pacific Islander30
 100%
White676554
 18%
Two or More Races4133
 19.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients44.1%49.8%
 5.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Wheat Ridge High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 970 students attended Wheat Ridge High School.

Students at Wheat Ridge High School are 57% White, 36% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Wheat Ridge High School ranks 156th of 349 Colorado high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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