High Schools in Durango School District No. 9-R

Durango School District No. 9-R in Colorado contains two high schools—Durango High School and Durango Big Picture High School—both serving grades 9 through 12, yet offering vastly different educational experiences and outcomes.

Durango High School is the clear standout, ranking in the top quartile of Colorado high schools (79th out of 338) and maintaining strong performance over the past three years. It graduates 96.8% of students, has a very low 0.9% dropout rate, and beats state averages in every tested subject, including PSAT reading/writing and math proficiency rates that run roughly 13 to 15 percentage points above statewide figures. By contrast, Durango Big Picture High School has struggled considerably, with its statewide ranking collapsing from the 38th percentile to the 8th percentile over two years. Big Picture graduates just 77.8% of students, has a 2.8% dropout rate, and posts math proficiency rates of only 15–17%, far below the district and state averages. These two schools differ sharply in size as well: Durango High serves about 1,352 students with a 16.1 student-teacher ratio, while Big Picture enrolls just 99 students with an 8.9 ratio—a smaller setting that has not translated into better academic results.

The disparities extend to socioeconomic factors, as Big Picture serves a 56.6% free/reduced lunch population compared to 30.1% at Durango High, and both schools struggle with chronic absenteeism: 40.8% at Big Picture and 31.0% at Durango High, both above the state rate of 28.4%. While Durango High School drives the district's strong overall rating and delivers excellent outcomes for its students, the data suggest that Durango Big Picture needs targeted support in math instruction, attendance interventions, and graduation pathways. For families, Durango High School clearly offers the stronger traditional academic track record, while Big Picture may appeal to those seeking a very small, personalized environment—though families should weigh the significant gaps in achievement and completion metrics when making a choice.