Best High Schools in Zip Code 80134

ZIP code 80134 in Parker, Colorado, is served by three high schools—Chaparral High School, Ponderosa High School, and Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship—all part of the highly rated Douglas County School District No. Re 1. Together, these schools serve roughly 3,500 students in grades 9–12, though their sizes differ dramatically: Chaparral enrolls about 2,007 students, Ponderosa 1,406, and Venture Academy just 88.

Chaparral High School is the clear academic standout in the area. It holds the highest state rank (66th out of 338 schools, 80th percentile) and is the only school consistently exceeding district averages in most subjects, including a 96.9% graduation rate, compared to the district's 93.6%. Ponderosa High School is a solid comprehensive school with a strong 95.6% graduation rate, but it trails Chaparral and the district average on nearly every recent test measure, including SAT math at just 34% proficient versus the district's 44%. Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship offers a uniquely personalized environment with a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio and strong literacy scores (77% SAT reading/writing), but its SAT math proficiency is an extreme outlier at just 13%, far below the district and state averages.

The most significant shared challenge across all three schools is math proficiency. Even Chaparral, the top performer, has only 48% of 11th graders proficient in SAT math, while reading/writing proficiency reaches 78%. Chronic absenteeism is also above the district average of 16.6% at every school, ranging from 19.8% at Chaparral to 23.7% at Venture Academy. On a positive note, graduation rates are a clear strength, exceeding both district and state averages, though data gaps for Venture Academy limit full comparison. Overall, this ZIP code offers strong educational options within one of Colorado's top districts, with Chaparral leading academically, Ponderosa providing consistent performance, and Venture Academy offering a small-school alternative with noted math and attendance concerns.