- Enrollment
- 2,476
- Students per teacher
- 20:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Denver, CO
South High School
Federal NCES profile for South High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 32/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 080336000408
👥 S:T ratio 14
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 35
📋 Attendance 7
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South High School earns 32/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 91% of Colorado schools. It is also one of the largest schools in Colorado.
- #41 of 45
- high schools in Denver · Resource Index
- 32
- Resource Index · Typical
- 21.4:1
- large classes for Colorado
- 33.6%
- free-lunch eligible
South High School has class sizes larger than 91% of Colorado schools. Computed live against every Colorado school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South High School ranks #41 of 45 high schools in Denver, CO.
School address
NCES ID 080336000408 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+2 students YoY
South High School held near 1,846 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+2 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 92.0 → 98.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+2 students YoY 080336000408 · Denver, CO High · MID · TRAD
1,950 enr · 21.4:1 · 33.6% lunch · RII 32
Nearest enrollment peer: East High School (2,476 students)
South High School held near 1,846 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+2 headcount). Teacher FTE added 92.0 → 98.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Colorado schools → · Find another →
South High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- East High Scho
East High School
2,476 students
- Northfield Hig
Northfield High School
2,137 students
- This school
South High School
1,950 students
- North High Sch
North High School
1,653 students
- Thomas Jeffers
Thomas Jefferson High School
1,390 students
- Mcauliffe Inte
Mcauliffe International School
1,329 students
What this shows South High School reports 1,950 students on the CCD universe file.
How South High School compares
South High School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Colorado and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Colorado | Colorado avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 21.4:1 | ▲ 29% | 16.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 33.6% | ▼ 13% | 38.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 1,950 | top 1% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
21.4:1
Leaner classes than 12% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
1,950
Bigger than 98% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
33.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 13% below the Colorado average of 38.5%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
21.4:1
students per teacher
- 29% above state mean
Top 91% in Colorado - lower ratio than 9% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
37.3%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$17,206
per pupil, district-wide
- below Colorado avg of $17,910
Close to the U.S. public-school average per-pupil spend.
Support staff
Counselors6.0 FTE
Per 325 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
87
in-school suspensions + 52 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 4.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 7.1 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 5 expulsions.
Student demographics
White 51.1%
Hispanic or Latino 29.8%
African American 7.7%
Two or More 6.9%
Asian 4.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Largest group: White at 51.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 63.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 63.8, South High School is more mixed than the Colorado school average of 47.1.
Programs
AP courses offered 14
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for School District No. 1 in the County of Denver and State of C reports $17,206 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South High School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| East High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Northfield High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| North High School | Similar size | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Thomas Jefferson High School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Mcauliffe International School | Smaller | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South High School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,137
- Students per teacher
- 21.6:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
- Enrollment
- 1,653
- Students per teacher
- 16.7:1
- Resource Index
- 49/100
- Enrollment
- 1,390
- Students per teacher
- 18.8:1
- Resource Index
- 31/100
- Enrollment
- 1,329
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Nationwide high schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~1,950 students)
Frequently asked questions about South High School
How many students attend South High School?
South High School has 1,950 students enrolled. It is a high school in Denver, CO. CCD year-over-year: 1,844 (2022-23) → 1,846 (2023-24), nearly flat (+2).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South High School?
The student-teacher ratio at South High School is 21.4:1, which is 29% higher than the Colorado average of 16.6:1 and 36% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South High School?
33.6% of students at South High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Colorado average of 38.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South High School?
The largest demographic group at South High School is White at 51.1% of enrollment, in Denver, CO. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 63.8/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South High School?
South High School has a Resource Investment Index of 32/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South High School rank among high schools in Denver?
By Resource Investment Index, South High School ranks #41 of 45 high schools in Denver, CO. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all high schools in Denver on the city page.
What other schools are in School District No. 1 in the County of Denver and State of C?
Besides South High School, School District No. 1 in the County of Denver and State of C also operates East High School (2,476 students), Northfield High School (2,137 students), and North High School (1,653 students). See the School District No. 1 in the County of Denver and State of C district page for the complete list.