Doherty High School

My daughter left a private school in the Springs deficient in math. The individual attention she gained allowed her to excel. She struggled through challenging honors classes to be brave enough to take on the extensive AP courses. She graduated 2012 and is pulling a 3.7 GPA at the University of Colorado. She insists it was the teachers specifically in Math, English Composition, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Government, Psychology... and their dedication to her success were in sync with her determination to succeed. Pair that with top notch extra curricular activities and you have a great school. In a year when it comes time for our son to attend high school we are certain Doherty is the best choice. We've found our school
—Submitted by a parent

i currently attend Doherty, and i like some things and dislike others.. the Avid program is AMAZING! but the sports take over pretty much and the Academics.. well some teachers are quite confusing and me personally, i get confused... you can't really get any one on one time with a teacher unless you stay after school, come early, or have an off period when your teacher has an off period... this is because this school is so over crowded it's ridiculous... people actually go some where else if they find it too crowded.
—Submitted by a student

offers a plethora of highly advanced classes (AP, Honors), including language and liberal arts (orchestra, band, drama) classes. my highly gifted child is challenged and enjoys attending school. Strong sports programs for most sports, with strong adminstrators who have been very supportive of teachers, students, and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

When moving to Colorado Springs from another state, we chose Doherty because it seemed to be rated fairly high and because it is only one of two schools in 'Springs with an orchestra program. Talk about a disappointment. Too many teachers don't seem to have control of their classrooms. Academics are only fair. But the orchestra program is a joke! The elementary students in our last district were better!!! It truly is NOT a good program at all. Had I known how bad it was, we'd have looked at other schools in town.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is one of a few better high schools within its district. As in the city of Colorado Springs, I find the school to be only average in academics and slightly above average in everything else. Sad to say that academics take a back seat to sports and other extracurricular activities that can have the potential of putting the school in the local media.
—Submitted by a student

I think doherty is a great school it is just that if your child dose not understand something then they would need to seek out help or else they will get lost in the systm because it is pretty crowed but other than that is a reallly good school
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her 3rd year at Doherty and I am very pleased with this school. Her grades have steadily improved and she is greatful for the challenge of her honors classes and the encouragement to sign up for them. The teachers are very supportive and flexible. They offer excellence in the performing arts dept, art dept, and auto shop. The auto shop kids have ranked 1st in state 2 yrs in a row! The new addition of 16 classrooms has made a huge difference in the overcrowding issue. The kids that I talk to say they feel safe in the school too.
—Submitted by a parent

Pretty good school i like it. There are a bunch af extra curiculars. The extention is nice. The cafiteria severs pretty good food lots of healty stuff! I mean find another school with a salad and wrap cart, and try to use whole wheat as much a possible? Teacher are very passionate and fun. Over all a pretty good school
—Submitted by a student

Doherty has excellent leadership which sets the tone for whole school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a freshman at Doherty this year, so I am unable to give a more comprehensive evaluation at this time. However, in response to the 'overcrowding' and 'safety' comments previously made, I just have to say that they have just added onto the school to relieve the crowding situation, and they have taken some very positive steps in improving safety. Overall, I have been impressed with the staff and their willingness to listen to needs and do what is necessary to meet those needs. My daughter, who was skeptical about going to Doherty at first seems to be enjoying the school and her classes. I have talked to people who really liked Doherty and others who didn't. May I just say that sometimes you get out of it what you put into it. There is always room for improvement, but I am happy with the school overall.
—Submitted by Deborah, a parent

Both my kids had troubles with teachers and vice principles. This school is good for activities, but not for academics.
—Submitted by a parent

Doherty is an amazing school plain and simple. Their sports programs are amazing, but they also have a good balance of honors class and a higher standard for academics. The principal just won National Principal of the Year! Woo! The only real problem is that it is way over crowded. I was only there for a few months, but i retained so much from my schooling while there.
—Submitted by steven maurizzio, a student

My child attended this school for one year, and then we moved to D12 and he started attending cheyenne Mountain High. Frankly, Doherty is one of the best schools if you want your child to have no future.
—Submitted by a parent

Doherty is an excellent public high school with a principal that has just won National Principal of the Year! The principal is amazing, the school has a great deal of school spirit and the honors classes are top notch. Plenty of activities are offered including Marching Band, Drama and great football.
—Submitted by a parent

Doherty has a major overcrowding problem. There are a lot of good teachers there trying to cope, but there are just too many students for them to handle. District 11 needs to build a new high school now to solve this overcrowding problem!
—Submitted by a parent

The classes are great and easy to get in to. They have a varity of band programs and an Orchestra class. They also have a Chior and a drama and dance department. They are a 5a school in sports and have all of them. There are about 50 extracurricular activites that students can join. Parent are encoueaged to get involved in. Our principle was voted principle of the year in 2006
—Submitted by a former student

Doherty High School has a large student population. They also have a large options for extra curricular activities. I am not sold on the safety of the school. The overall quality is average to below average. There are just so many students, it is hard to get that personal attention that you would get with a smaller school.
—Submitted by a former student

Doherty is an alright school. There is however a huge overcrowding problem. Also more levels of classes need to be added.
—Submitted by a parent

Doherty is an average school. It is not as great as it would seem to be from its reputation. There is a huge, huge, huge overcrowding problem that is constantly being ignored by administration.
—Submitted by a student

Doherty does an excellent job in all it's activites, especially althletics. Most teams are top noch and ranked in 5A State. You couldn't find a more impressive school in the Springs.
—Submitted by a former student