Wiggins High School

Wiggins High School is a small rural high school in Wiggins, Colorado, serving 236 students in grades 9–12 as part of School District No. Re-50 Wiggins. Its biggest strength is a remarkable completion culture: the school graduates 98% of its students, far above the state's 84.2%, and reported a 0.0% dropout rate. Nearby schools do not match this—Fort Morgan High School graduates 83.7%, while Lincoln High School and Weldon Valley Junior/Senior High School graduate just 41.7% and 50%, respectively. For parents focused on whether their child will finish high school, Wiggins' record is exceptional.

Academically, the picture is more mixed. Wiggins students scored at the state average on SAT reading/writing (62% proficient vs. 62% statewide), comfortably ahead of Fort Morgan High School (43%) and Weldon Valley Junior/Senior High School (31%). Science is a hidden strength: 39.6% of 11th graders were proficient on the CMAS science exam, well above the state's 24.6%. Math, however, is a significant weakness—only 18% of 11th graders scored proficient on SAT Math, roughly half the state rate of 32%. The school's state ranking has declined since its top-30, five-star status in 2014–2015, though the most recent year shows a modest rebound.

On a practical level, the student-teacher ratio has improved dramatically, from 19.6 to 14.1 in two years, meaning smaller classes and more individual attention. Chronic absenteeism (22.6%) is better than the state's 28.4% but higher than Weldon Valley Junior/Senior High School's 13.3%. For families comparing options in the area, Wiggins offers an appealing combination—nearly universal graduation, strong reading and science instruction, and a supportive small-school environment—while math support is the main area worth investigating.