Durango High School set of four chairs

DHS Back to School Night rescheduled to Sept. 9

DATE CHANGE! Our back to school night is now Sept. 9 from 6-7:30 p.m. at DHS. We encourage all parents/guardians to attend. The program and structure has shifted slightly from past years to encourage better attendance and engagement.

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Durango High School Home

Our goal is to be the best public high school in Colorado.
Impact Career Innovation Center

About Us

Durango High School (DHS) welcomes students in 9th-12th grades. It's located in the heart of Durango, Colorado, along the Animas River, and serves approximately 1,350 students. Durango High School provides a rigorous education to prepare students for their future, be it a 4-year college, a 2-year institution, industry, the military, directly into the workforce, or whatever path they choose.
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Where we’re located
Durango School District map
six members of school leadership team

Mission

Our mission at Durango High School is to be the best public high school in the State of Colorado. We achieve excellence through positive relationships and high expectations for all of our students to excel in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. We provide an atmosphere where students can thrive, can find their niche,  and excel at their chosen career path.
 

News & Announcements

Durango High School set of four chairs

DHS Back to School Night rescheduled to Sept. 9

DATE CHANGE! Our back to school night is now Sept. 9 from 6-7:30 p.m. at DHS. We encourage all parents/guardians to attend. The program and structure has shifted slightly from past years to encourage better attendance and engagement.
Back to School Hub webpage: All the info you need to prepare for fall

Get ready for the upcoming school year: Visit DSD's Back to School Hub

School starts Tuesday, Aug. 25, and our 2026-27 Back to School Hub compiles all the essential information families need to get ready for the new school year. You’ll find details on enrollment, school start dates, supply lists, transportation options, bell schedules, and more.
No phones, no watches. Stay present. Stay connected.

DSD cell phone and smart watch policy

DSD's cell phone policy requires that cell phones and smart watches be put away during the school day or during classes, depending on grade level.
June 2027 calendar with June 1-4 circled and

Snow Days ahead? Keep June 1-4 open, just in case

Before you make your summer plans, please keep June 1-4, 2027, open. The last scheduled day of school is Friday, May 28, 2027. However, the DSD Academic Calendar designates June 1-4 as potential makeup days if winter weather causes multiple school closures.
Man hugs woman

The smallest moments can leave the biggest mark: DSD kicks off a new school year

“The smallest moments can leave the biggest mark.” That was the message Board of Education President Kristin Smith shared with hundreds of Durango School District employees gathered Aug. 19 for Opening Day – and it became a fitting theme for a day filled with reconnection, celebration, student voices and learning from one another.
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principal Jon Hoerl

Principal's Message

Durango High School  provides rigorous classroom study, extracurricular activities, sports, Career & Technical Education, Honors classes, Advanced Placement, concurrent enrollment  in college courses, and four-year, individualized academic advisors to help prepare our students for their future career.  – Dr. Jon Hoerl, Principal, CASE 2024 Colorado High School Principal of the Year.

Events

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mountain with autumn leaves on trees

Quality of Life

Durango is a beautiful place to live and work. It is located at 6,512 feet elevation in Southwest Colorado near the Four Corners region. Families who live here enjoy a historic steam train, ski resort, rivers, vibrant downtown, bike trails, sky-high “fourteener” mountains, and four distinct seasons with an average of 266 sunny days per year. We welcome new families and new staff members, and we offer excellent benefits and competitive salaries. 
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Accessibility Statement

Durango School District is committed to ensuring our digital platforms are accessible to everyone, aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and Colorado accessibility laws. If you encounter a barrier or need an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected] or (970) 247-5411.