Colorado's Highest-Performing High Schools Get National Love

We love all our high schools on Colorado’s Western Slope, and it's exciting when a handful earn special recognition for turning local students into college-ready graduates in Grand Junction, Montrose, and beyond.

The new US News and World Report high school rankings are out, and it's great to see several Western Colorado students represented throughout the list of over 340 schools (find out more about how schools are ranked here). See the top 12 high schools in Western Colorado in the gallery below.

Top Of The Class: See Colorado’s Top-Ranked Public High Schools

Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the top public high schools across the country, and this year, Western Colorado schools have plenty to brag about. Check out the schools

building a reputation for strong academics, innovative programs, and college-ready graduates.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

Colorado’s Rankings: A National Look

TSM GJ W Adams

Graduating from high school as a college-ready senior is a special thing. It means you worked hard, and so did several teachers, counselors, and even your parents. I was pleased to see so many Western Colorado high schools on the U.S. News and World Report rankers for 2025-2026.

Colorado is outperforming expectations, too. Out of almost 25,000 public schools nationwide, 334 from Colorado made the list. Colorado deserves a pat on the back, too, ranking 6^th in the nation for top-performing schools. 16% of high schools in our state gained national recognition this time around, including Grand Junction.

Grand Junction’s Caprock Academy in the Spotlight

It's so great to see Grand Junction’s Caprock Academy ranked #50 in Colorado. It is not only the highest-performing charter school in Mesa County; Caprock is a top-ranked school overall in Colorado. The Academy is known for its rigorous academics and strong college-prep curriculum, helping keep Grand Junction firmly on the statewide education map.

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LOOK: 25 Fun Colorado High School Mascots That Totally Stand Out

Check out these 25 unique Colorado High School mascots across Centennial State. Some of these mascots are a perfect fit for Colorado, while others seem as if the school just ran out of names. Please scroll through the mascots below and help us decide which one is most unique. Open our station app to suggest even more mascots to add to the list.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

Top 6: Which Western Colorado High School Has the Most Students?

The number of students enrolled in Western Colorado schools is rising, but which schools currently host the most students? Scroll through Colorado's District 51 schools below and compare them to our neighbors in Delta and Montrose. Keep going to find out which school is on top.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

These Are The 5 Richest Schools in Colorado

Colorado is a beautiful place to work and play, but it's also a great place to go to school. Some of Colorado's wealthiest schools and colleges date back to the late 1800s and have added up lots of money from gifts, tuition, and endowments. Take a look at the five wealthiest schools in the Centennial State.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

Source: Colorado Ranks 6th in Nation for Best High Schools

Filed Under: Grand Junction Colorado

Categories: Articles, Colorado News, Colorado Local