Summary:
Zip code 81432 contains one public high school: Ridgway High School, a small school serving grades 9–12 with 97 students in the Ridgway School District No. R-2. The district ranks 2nd out of 115 districts in Colorado with a 5-star rating, and the high school itself has consistently earned 4-star ratings: 53rd of 338 high schools in 2025–2026 (84th percentile), 89th of 328 in 2024–2025, and 93rd of 349 in 2023–2024. A student-teacher ratio of 7.9 to 1 provides a highly personalized learning environment.
Academically, Ridgway outperforms state averages in nearly every tested subject and grade. In 2025–2026, 10th-grade PSAT10 reading/writing proficiency reached 95% versus 65% statewide, and 9th-grade PSAT9 math reached 67% versus 40% statewide. SAT reading/writing for 11th graders was 74% versus 60% statewide, and science proficiency was 42.1% versus 24.8%. However, math results have been volatile due to the small student body: 11th-grade SAT math fell to 15% in 2024–2025 before rebounding to 39% in 2025–2026, while 10th-grade PSAT10 math swung from 44% to 75%. These year-to-year swings are typical in small schools where a single cohort can shift percentages dramatically.
The most significant concern is chronic absenteeism, which stands at 47.4% — more than double the state average of 28.4% and far above the district's 22.1%. With just 97 students, this represents roughly 46 students regularly missing school. Despite this, the graduation rate of 88.2% exceeds the state average, and the dropout rate of 0.8% remains low. About 26.8% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. In short, Ridgway High School delivers excellent academic outcomes for students who attend regularly, but addressing absenteeism will be crucial for sustaining its high standing in Colorado.
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