Durango High School Home

Our goal is to be the best public high school in Colorado.

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.

Where we’re located

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

Four students in a Ceramics class apply glaze to slab-built boxes

Beginning Ceramics students shape art, creativity, and confidence at DHS

From pinch pots and slab rolling to throwing on the wheel, students in Kayleigh Weir’s Beginning Ceramics class at Durango High School (DHS) are mastering fundamental art techniques.

Fall Break is here: Classes resume Oct. 13

It's Fall Break, and Durango School District (DSD) schools will be closed through Monday, Oct. 12. We look forward to welcoming our students back when classes resume on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

A group of high school students holding a

DHS Green Team pedals toward sustainability during Bike to School Week

Durango High School students are trading car rides for pedals during Bike to School Week, Oct. 5-9. Organized by the DHS Green Team, the annual event encourages eco-friendly commutes with prize raffles and community support.

Reminder to families to keep weapons and replica guns out of school

Safety tips for families: Keep replica weapons at home

A few minutes of conversation at home can help children understand what belongs at school and when to ask an adult for help. Please review these reminders with your child this week.

When a school bus stops, here's what you do.

Drivers: Use extra caution during school pickup and drop-off times

Rainy weather, wet roads, and darker evenings are good reminders for all of us to use extra caution during school pickup and drop-off times.

A high school student uses a circular saw while another student secures the board.

DHS Building Trades program constructs real-world pathways to career success

In the Construction Trades CTE pathway at Durango High School (DHS), Wood Shop Teacher Peter Lutz is guiding students through hands-on learning that prepares them for careers beyond the classroom.

Durango School District's SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab

SOIL's Summer 2026 Lab Report now available

DSD's SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab just published its Summer 2026 Lab Report. Take a look to learn about the expanded SOIL Shares program, read an important funding update, view details on upcoming community workshops, and more.

Share your insights. Strengthen our schools.

Caregivers and students: Join the Superintendent's advisory councils

Your family's voice and perspective are crucial to our success. We invite you and your DSD student to partner with us and make a meaningful difference by joining the Superintendent's Parent/Guardian Advisory Council or the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council.

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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

Oct 14

Free SOIL Lab Workshop: Fruit Tree Care and Selection

Time: 5 PM – 6:30 PM

Location: SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab, 2900 Mesa Ave, Durango, CO 81301, USA

Oct 15

Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee Meeting

Time: 3 PM – 4 PM

Oct 19

Conference Day (No School)

Oct 19

District Accountability Advisory Committee Meeting

Time: 4:30 PM – 6 PM

Location: Impact Career Innovation Center, 2410 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301, USA

Oct 20

SOIL Lab: October Volunteer Work Party

Time: 8 AM – 9 AM

Location: SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab (2900 Mesa Ave, Durango, CO 81301)

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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.

Join our team

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.

Learn more about the district's accessibility compliance plan and progress reports.