Durango High School Profile
Committed to Excellence
Durango High School is a thriving educational community with a mission to ensure each student develops the positive character attributes and academic excellence necessary to compete and contribute in the global community, providing tailored, engaging, and relevant educational opportunities within a safe and healthy environment.
Our Community
Durango, Colorado in La Plata County, is a rural community of approximately 51,300 residents and 1,700 square miles. We are located in the Four Corners Region of the Southwestern United States. The nearest cities are Albuquerque (215 miles) and Denver (340 miles). Fort Lewis College provides numerous educational and cultural and cultural advantages to the region. The Durango community is composed of business, agricultural, professional, and service industry providers.
Our Curriculum
We offer a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with a goal of 100% college and career readiness for all of our students. Durango High School is committed to each student making the greatest academic growth and achievement possible in 4 years. Every graduate completes 23 credits, which include a combination of required courses and elective choices. Our Graduation requirements align with the admission requirements of 4 year colleges. Durango High School is a public, four-year North Central Accredited comprehensive high school with an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students. We have a student to teacher ratio of one teacher to 25 students.
Our Graduates
In 2016, the graduation rate at DHS was 89.7% for a class size of 234 students.
48.5% continued at a 4-year college, 13% continued at a 2-year college, 3.9% continued at a vocational school.
Credits & Marking System
Credit is available at the end of each semester with eac class receiving .5 carnegie unit. A year-long class is normally completed in two semesters. Students must earn a minimum of 23 credits for graduation.
| Unweighted GPA | Weighted GPA | Grading Scale |
| A=4.0 | A=5.0 | A=90%-100% |
| B=3.0 | B=4.0 | B=80%-89% |
| C=2.0 | C=3.0 | C=70%-79% |
| D=1.0 | D=2.0 | D=60-69% |
| F=0.0 | F=0.0 | F=0-59% |
Honors & Advanced Placement Courses
Honors Course available to any underclassman who wishes to enroll in them. We offer honors courses in language arts and history to all ninth and tenth grade students. The advanced placement option allows juniors and seniors to experience college level expectations while still in high school. All advanced placement courses are weighted on a 5-point scale.
We offer the following advanced placement courses:
|
Calculus AB Calculus BC Statistics United States History Biology Physics Chemistry Computer Science A Computer Science Principles |
Art History English Language and Composition English Language and Literature World History Psychology Human Geography |
Students may also take part in concurrent enrollment opportunities to earn college credit at Fort Lewis College (FLC), Southwest Colorado Community College or through San Juan Community College.
Graduation Requirements
Our core courses are math (Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus and Statistical Analysis), English (Literature and Composition), science (Integrated Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics), history (World, United States and Government), world languages (Spanish and French). Some non-core elective classes are graded on a credit/no credit basis Starting with the class of 2021, students are required to prove competency in required subject areas, complete a minimum of 23 credit hours, in addition to developing and maintaining an Individual Career and Academic Plan, and meeting real world experience requirements.
|
4 credits |
English |
4 Years |
|
4 credits |
Math |
4 years |
|
3 credits |
Science |
3 years (4 offered) |
|
3 credits |
Social Studies |
3 years (4 offered |
|
1 credit |
World Language |
2 years (4 offered |
|
1 credit |
Health / P.E. |
|
|
7 credits |
General Electives |
choice |
Our Athletics
DHS offers the following athletic programs:
|
Baseball Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Cheerleading Boys Cross Country Girls Cross Country Dance Football Boys Golf Girls Golf Boys Lacrosse |
Girls Lacrosse Boys Soccer Girls Soccer Softball Boys Swimming Girls Swimming Boys Tennis Girls Tennis Boys Track Girls Track Volleyball Wrestling |
Our Activities
In addition to our rigorous academics, DHS offers students dozens of extracurricular activities so that they may explore their interests.
CoCurricular Activities
|
Academic Decathlon Aerospace Design Colorado Mock Trial Culinary Arts (Pro-Start) El Diablo FFA Theater |
Vocal Music Yearbook Instrumental Music National Art Honor Society National Honor Society Skills USA Student Council |
Extracurricular Activities
|
Beautifully Made Bible Study Book Club Chess Club Adventure’s Club Creative Writing FCCLA Gay/Straight Alliance Leadership La Plata Interact
|
Key Club Knowledge Bowl Mountain Bike Club Native American Club Philosophy Club Prejudice Elimination Action Team Robotics Club Ski Club
|
Aerospace Design Team
The Durango High School Aerospace Design Team has an outstanding record of success on the national and international stage including:
• 2017 International Space Settlement Design World Champions
• Recipient of the 2010 NASA Ames Grand Prize for Design and 1st prize for Large Group Design
• Seven-time International Space Settlement Design World Champions (2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017)
• DHS has qualified 22 out of the last 23 years for the National Champ