School Awards Archives | �Ӱ��Ƶ

The Best High Schools in America in 2021

vanguardschool — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 19:47:40 +0000

The Best High Schools in America in 2021

As a parent, choosing the best high school for your incoming freshman or new transfer student is a very important decision. Whether you are looking for the best college-prep program to prepare your child for their future or want the best sports, STEM, or music departments, there are many great high schools available for your family. With so many private, public, and charter schools to choose from, the decision-making process can be daunting. Our guide to the best high schools in America in 2021 will help make that process easier.

Best Private High Schools in America

Private high schools are usually synonymous with the highest quality education. These schools are also often known as boarding schools, although boarding is sometimes optional depending on the school. Private high schools are known for their rigorous academic programs, but there is often steep tuition attached to them. There are many private schools in Colorado Springs, such as The University School and Pikes Peak Academy.

The best private high schools in America are ranked on academics, teacher instruction, and often their relationships with colleges. Private high schools associated with colleges are advantageous to students wanting to become involved and networked into collegiate sports. If you can afford the tuition or your student earns a scholarship, private high schools may be an option for you.

Best Public High Schools in America

Public schools are the most well-known option for your child’s education. These state-funded schools offer academics and sports in a wide range of programs and opportunities. Some of the best public high schools in America are usually open enrollment, but not all public schools have that option. Regardless of the enrollment structure, however, public high schools are judged mainly on their academics, which make up 60% of their rankings in the U.S.

Students who do better with a more structured curriculum tend to thrive in public schools. The best public high schools in America offer a more structured education, highly regulated by the school district and the state. If you want a more structured education for your student at almost no cost to you, a public high school might be your best option.

Best Charter Schools in America

While still part of a larger school district and recognized as public schools, charter schools can offer alternate programming and advanced teaching methods. This can include programs such as Latin (one of our favorite subjects at �Ӱ��Ƶ!) and art history, which are not traditional K-12 subjects. The best charter schools in America are the ones that consistently review and update their curriculum to reflect changing educational standards. College readiness is imperative to charter schools because they make up some of the best college prep high schools in America.

Other significant advantages of choosing a charter school are smaller classrooms and more dedicated teacher time help students thrive! If your student is looking for the best college prep, small class sizes, and a tight-knit community, a charter school might be right for you.

�Ӱ��Ƶ

�Ӱ��Ƶ is a tuition-free, public charter school in Colorado Springs, CO. We accept applications from all over the Pikes Peak Region.

U.S. News & World Report is the top authority when it comes to ranking the best high schools in America. Their reports not only rank high schools on a national level, but they also report on high school rankings in every state.

Based on U.S. News & World Report, �Ӱ��Ƶ’s speak for themselves. Our rankings are based on several factors, such as graduation rates, state-required performance tests, and college readiness.

�Ӱ��Ƶ currently ranks as:

#1 High School in Colorado Springs: Among all the great local high schools, including all other public, private, and charter schools, our academics rank us as the best high school in Colorado Springs time and time again!

#7 High School in Colorado: We continue to rank as one of the Top 10 high schools out of the 641 high schools in all of Colorado!

#72 Charter High Schools in America: This is on a national scale, making us one of the Top 100 charter schools in the entire country.

#306 Best High School in America: We continue to rank as one of the Top 500 best high schools in America. An impressive feat considering the 17,857 high schools that make up this list.

Are you considering enrolling your child in �Ӱ��Ƶ?

As one of the best high schools in America, and THE best high school in Colorado Springs, we make our enrollment as easy as possible! We are tuition-free and welcome all applications from the Pikes Peak region.

Get in touch with our Enrollment Office today to schedule a tour and see first-hand why �Ӱ��Ƶ consistently ranks as one of the best high schools in America. Contact our Admissions Officer, Jennifer Blanchard, by email at Jennifer.Blanchard@The�Ӱ��ƵSchool.com, or by phone at (719) 471-1999 x101 for more information.

The post The Best High Schools in America in 2021 appeared first on �Ӱ��Ƶ.

Mr. Mullaney Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Annie Callahan — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 20:43:02 +0000

The Colorado League of Charter Schools honored eight of the state’s most talented educators and advocates at its 2021 Annual Conference. The Colorado Charter Schools Hall of Fame winners are exceptional leaders designated across eight award categories and the winners are selected by an expert panel of League staff. These individuals were selected based on their excellence in education and advocacy within their school communities.

“Public charter schools in Colorado continue to be recognized for their outstanding performance educating our state’s kids, and the Colorado Charter Schools Hall of Fame winners are a significant part of that success,” said Colorado League of Charter Schools Vice President of Communications Peter Mason. “We honor the impact those eight individuals have had in making charter schools both widely available and able to provide a high-quality experience to Colorado students and families. They have made a meaningful difference for students and families in our state.

This year, �Ӱ��Ƶ’s own Mr. Colin Mullaney was chosen for the League’s Lifetime Achievement Award!

Colin is the executive director of �Ӱ��Ƶ, and he has a distinguished 26-year career working at our charter school. He began his career in 1995 as a junior high mathematics and science teacher, was named principal of the school in 1998, and went on to be named �Ӱ��Ƶ’s Executive Director in 2005. He now plans, directs, and supervises the overall management of our K-12 school that has grown from 250 students to over 1,550 today and leads a staff of over 210 employees for a program that continues to receive the state’s highest awards year after year, including national recognition from Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report. Watch Mr. Mullaney’s acceptance speech below!

About the Colorado League of Charter Schools

The Colorado League of Charter Schools is a nonprofit, membership-based organization that represents the interests of the state’s 261 charter schools and the families of the 128,000 students who attend them. Our mission is to improve student achievement by supporting Colorado’s charter schools, positively reshaping the public school landscape, and advancing opportunities for innovation and expanded choice. We want all Colorado students to have access to high-quality, publicly funded school options. More information is available at www.coloradoleague.org.

The post Mr. Mullaney Receives Lifetime Achievement Award appeared first on �Ӱ��Ƶ.

TOP 25 HIGH SCHOOLS CLT NATIONAL RANKINGS

vanguardschool — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 08:06:15 +0000

The post TOP 25 HIGH SCHOOLS CLT NATIONAL RANKINGS appeared first on �Ӱ��Ƶ.

�Ӱ��Ƶ boys’ volleyball to battle for fourth consecutive state club title

vanguardschool — Fri, 10 May 2019 13:50:03 +0000

The decision to add boys’ volleyball as a Colorado high school sanctioned sport has been decades in the making.

But while the debate raged on at the Colorado High School Activities Association, one school was building a boys’ volleyball dynasty in Colorado Springs.

This weekend �Ӱ��Ƶ will compete for its fourth straight Colorado 3A state championship – this time with more eyes than ever on the growing sport.

Just two weeks ago, CHSAA approved boys’ volleyball as a sanctioned sport starting the 2020-21 school year, making this year’s state tournament the first of its kind as a pilot program, and a glimpse into what the sport will look like under CHSAA’s umbrella in spring 2021.

�Ӱ��Ƶ, which has an enrollment of just 305 according to the latest CHSAA numbers, began a boys’ volleyball club program six years ago. The Coursers made it to the state finals in their second year and won three consecutive after that – including two undefeated seasons.

“For some reason this really tiny school just got really good boys’ volleyball,” said senior Seth Fuqua, who was also the captain of the boys’ basketball team that took second in 3A this year.

But coach Andrew Soeldner implemented a system early that could be responsible for the Coursers’ consistent success.

“I’m an engineer, so I approach things in an analytical way. So I use stats heavily, and film, and every week we go over our body position and how we react to the other team,” Soeldner said. “That kind of analysis and breakdown has really helped. I think they have a good grasp of the game and I think that’s showing now in this crew.”

Of the six players on �Ӱ��Ƶ’s varsity roster, five are seniors, and three have been with the team the past four years.

Senior Hayden Frear, who has signed to play Division I men’s volleyball, said he believes it’s a combination of the culture at �Ӱ��Ƶ and the athleticism of the team, which has been together for years.

“There’s a lot of support around here, and people want the sport to grow around here so that really helps,” Frear said. “We’re also really lucky with who we have. We have some really athletic guys. Three of us play club, so we’re definitely lucky.”

�Ӱ��Ƶ heads to state on Saturday at Eaglecrest undefeated, ranked No. 1 in the state and in the top 80 nationally.

The top four teams in 3A are from the Colorado Springs area according to MaxPreps rankings, with James Irwin ranked second at 20-1, followed by District 20 White (22-2) and Cheyenne Mountain White (16-4). St. Mary’s is ranked eighth (15-6).

The Cheyenne Mountain 5A team is ranked second in the classification with its only loss of the year coming against No. 1 Ponderosa, according to MaxPreps.

District 20’s 5A team is ranked fourth in the classification.

The post �Ӱ��Ƶ boys’ volleyball to battle for fourth consecutive state club title appeared first on �Ӱ��Ƶ.

These are Colorado’s top 20 high schools, according to U.S. News & World Report

vanguardschool — Tue, 07 May 2019 15:30:19 +0000

12 Denver-area high schools named among Colorado’s best in new rankings.

Schools in Denver and surrounding metro-area communities took 12 spots in the top 20 in a ranking of high school quality in Colorado.

U.S. News & World Report ranked 475 Colorado schools based on how many students took and passed an exam for college credit, such as the Advanced Placement tests; test scores on math and reading; whether those scores were higher or lower than expected, given a school’s demographics; scores among students of color and those from low-incomes families; how many students took more than one exam for college credit; and graduation rates.

No Colorado schools cracked the top 100 nationwide. The state’s top performers ranked from 131st to 946th out of nearly 13,000 schools that were ranked across the United States.

U.S. News’ ranking of top Colorado high schools:

D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School, Jeffco Public Schools, #131 nationally
Denver School of the Arts, Denver Public Schools, #153 nationally
�Ӱ��Ƶ, Cheyenne Mountain School District, #176 nationally
Peak to Peak Charter School, Boulder Valley School District, #233 nationally
Crested Butte Community School, Gunnison Watershed School District, #236 nationally
Liberty Common Charter School, Poudre School District, #250 nationally
KIPP Denver Collegiate High School, DPS, #344 nationally
Strive Prep-Smart Academy, DPS, #448 nationally
STEM Middle and High School, Douglas County School District, #475 nationally
Fairview High School, Boulder Valley School District, #558 nationally
Denver Center for International Studies, DPS, #566 nationally
Cherry Creek High School, Cherry Creek School District, #599 nationally
Ridgeview Classical Charter Schools, Poudre, #607 nationally
Boulder High School, Boulder Valley, #656 nationally
Evergreen High School, Jeffco, #693 nationally
Conifer Senior High School, Jeffco, #705 nationally
Telluride High School, Telluride School District, #710 nationally
Palmer Ridge High School, Lewis-Palmer School District, #857 nationally
Classical Academy High School, Academy School District 20, #936 nationally
Cheyenne Mountain High School, Cheyenne Mountain, #946 nationally

Please meet in the Calderwood Courtyard, in front of the digital screens between the shop and the admissions desk. Museums staff will be on hand to collect tickets.

To view the full list, visit .

The post These are Colorado’s top 20 high schools, according to U.S. News & World Report appeared first on �Ӱ��Ƶ.

Charter School Capital Names 2019 “Charter School Honor Roll” Winners

vanguardschool — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 13:40:49 +0000

2nd annual awards program highlights exceptional schools and the educators who lead them

As evidence has mounted that distance running is not just a natural human activity enjoyed by millions, but one that played a key role in evolution, a puzzle has emerged. Why, if humans are so well adapted to running long distances, do runners get hurt so often?

PORTLAND, Ore. April 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — , the first national financial services provider exclusively focused on charter schools and the students they serve, has named 30 charter schools to its 2019 “.” Winners each receive one complimentary ticket to the in Las Vegas, Nev., June 30-July 3, 2019, and will be honored at an exclusive event hosted by Charter School Capital at the conference. A total of 177 schools entered the second annual awards program.

Honorees are recognized in the categories of school growth, student achievement, community service, school leadership, and positive school climate:

School Growth – The growth of these schools reflects the growing demand for school choice in communities across the country.

Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy – Louisiana
- Opened in 2013 with 420 students, now serving 1,536 students
International Leadership of Texas – Texas
- Opened two campuses in 2013 serving 2,500 students, now operating 18 campuses serving more than 10,000 students
Manatee School for the Arts – Florida
- The only accredited public middle school in Manatee County, it’s one of five Gold Seal Excellence Charter Schools in Florida, serving more than 2,100 students
Visions in Education – California
- Opened in 2008 with 2,500 students, now serving 6,500 students
Basis-Scottsdale Arizona – Arizona
Towpath Trail High School – Ohio

Student Achievement – These schools are recognized for overall academic performance – some metrics include increases in Advanced Placement students, standardized assessments, SAT scores and high school graduation rates.

�Ӱ��Ƶ – Colorado
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts & Sciences Charter School – South Carolina
ASU Prep Poly STEM Academy K8 – Arizona
D’Arbonne Woods Charter School – Louisiana
Michigan Math and Science Academy Dequindre – Michigan
Scholarship Prep-Santa Ana – California
East End Preparatory – Tennessee
STRIVE Prep-RISE – Colorado
Mare Island Technology (MIT) Academy – California
Signature School – Indiana

Community Service – These schools activate and nurture student interest in serving their communities through service projects, fundraisers and in-kind donations.

Early College High School @ DSU – Delaware
Leadership Preparatory School – Texas
East Tampa Academy – Florida

School Leadership – Leaders at these schools have grown their programs, overcome obstacles and/or turned the public tide of opinion in favor of their school communities.

DuBois Integrity Academy – Georgia
Mission View Public Charter – California
Compass Charter Schools – California
Amana Academy – Georgia
Basis-San Antonio Primary – Texas

Positive School Climate – These schools provide positive environments for cultivating critical thinkers and creativity.

Learning Foundation and Performing Arts Warner (CAFA) – Arizona
Imagine Schools-Chancellor Campus – Florida
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy – North Carolina
Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School – Pennsylvania
Presidio School – Arizona
Bronx Charter School Better Learning – New York

Administrators, teachers, parents and community leaders were among those who nominated their schools. Nominations were open for one category per person per school.

“The Charter School Honor Roll celebrates the top charter schools in America,” said Stuart Ellis, president and CEO of Charter School Capital. “We’re proud to recognize these schools for their student achievement, forward-thinking leadership and dedicated educators, and for doing everything in their power to support students with innovative education programs that nurture the power of the human mind.”

About Charter School Capital:
Launched in 2006, Charter School Capital delivers access to growth capital and facilities financing to charter schools nationwide. Charter School Capital has invested more than $1.8 billion in funding to 600+ charter schools, helping them provide a high-quality education to more than one million students across the country. For more information, visit or email GrowCharters@charterschoolcapital.org.

SOURCE Charter School Capital

School Awards Archives | �Ӱ��Ƶ

The Best High Schools in America in 2021

The Best High Schools in America in 2021

Best Private High Schools in America

Best Public High Schools in America

Best Charter Schools in America

�Ӱ��Ƶ

Related Articles:

Mr. Mullaney Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

TOP 25 HIGH SCHOOLS CLT NATIONAL RANKINGS

�Ӱ��Ƶ boys’ volleyball to battle for fourth consecutive state club title

These are Colorado’s top 20 high schools, according to U.S. News & World Report

Charter School Capital Names 2019 “Charter School Honor Roll” Winners

Related Links

School Awards Archives | �Ӱ���Ƶ

The Best High Schools in America in 2021

The Best High Schools in America in 2021

Best Private High Schools in America

Best Public High Schools in America

Best Charter Schools in America

�Ӱ���Ƶ

Related Articles:

Mr. Mullaney Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

TOP 25 HIGH SCHOOLS CLT NATIONAL RANKINGS

�Ӱ���Ƶ boys’ volleyball to battle for fourth consecutive state club title

These are Colorado’s top 20 high schools, according to U.S. News & World Report

Charter School Capital Names 2019 “Charter School Honor Roll” Winners

Related Links

School Awards Archives | �Ӱ��Ƶ

�Ӱ��Ƶ

�Ӱ��Ƶ boys’ volleyball to battle for fourth consecutive state club title