Estes Park High School

I came here in the 2011-2012 school year as a new student in this high school, let alone the district. When I came, I was expecting a typical public high school with a lot of kids. In reality, it's a small school, small that the student body is kind of like family to me. The school does encourage kids to get involved in some way. I'm on the track team. The kids as a whole do support each other and they mostly get along. There are teachers however that I'd rather be with than others. There were a few, but not a lot of teachers I disliked. My favorite is my science teacher. He is open to the kids, pays a lot of attention to them, and gives out many opportunities to pass the class. My least favorite is my English teacher. She is very young and is knowledgeable about English, but she isn't always easy going. Sometimes I felt like the work she gave out had absolutely no purpose whatsoever. My real complaint has to be with the administration. They don't seem to be trying hard enough encouraging the students to succeed. This school is on a long road to go. I give 4 stars because of the kids and most of the staff, but 1 star is left out due to the lack of work the administration is doing.
--Submitted by a student

I've had two children in this high school and in general it is a great small school that gives individualized attention to the students. Classes are small (7-10 kids in some classes), and yet there is a good variety of subjects and levels - including many honors courses and even online courses for specialized subjects. Good attention to ESL students. Teachers are available and email often with any concerns. All the school employees seem to know and honor all the kids. Most everyone goes to college or graduates with a plan for something - and local organizations go out of their way to work with the school and raise some sort of grant or scholarships for every student who is going away to school - this is celebrated at a big scholarship awards night for the kids. My favorite aspect of this school are the kids themselves - it is a small town and they really support each other. I don't see bullying of kids who are different. I'm really glad my kids experienced this level of support and have the confidence and happiness that comes from a good caring school environment.
--Submitted by a parent

This is one of the best schools in the state! I highly recommend it!
--Submitted by a parent

As another reviewer wrote, if your child has any special needs or needs even a little bit of extra attention they will DIVEBOMB in this district. After years of putting up with this poor school system I pulled all 3 of my kids out and enrolled them in online school. What a huge difference! No more petty disputes with administrators, no more teachers badmouthing their bosses during valuable teacher/parent conference time. And real enthusiasm for school work! If you are moving to Estes make sure you check out the online school options because you WILL need them. This school district is in trouble, has been for years, and has ZERO leadership potential to turn it around. Did I mention the former administrator that was indicted? Yeah.
--Submitted by a parent

I absolutely despise this school system. Beware if you want to send a child here. Unless your child is stellar in school beware. If your child has any learning difficulties they will go out of their was to harrass them, make their self esteem plummet and try and get them out. There is no help here for any child who has any difficulties. The entire system places most of it's emphasis elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

This high school is on a recovery program. Of course, elementary school and middle school become a part of this as the kids move through these schools. There is so much empasis on math and now science, and girls, that boys are being neglected. The girls have caught up in math and science as more reading and language has been injected into these subjects. The boys are behind in reading and writing so this doesn't benefit them, and they don't get the attention and encouragement they need and deserve. They are stereotyped, in reading and writing, just like girls use to be in math and science. But this is a nationwide problem, also.
--Submitted by a parent

EPHS is on a road of recovery from poor leadership at the district level. Currently the District has seen major gains in all areas and continues to be recognized as a leader of change from the CDE. The District is acdemically compared to Cherry Creek & Boulder Valley and is right in there with the top preformers across the state. The work initated by the current Supertindent is not finished and continues to be tweaked as needed for all students.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had two children graduate from Estes Park High School. I was generally disappointed with the school. I am seriously concerned about academic performance, primarily in the sciences. I do not believe that students that graduate from Estes Park High School are equipped to pursue careers in technical math/science careers. We need to stop congratulating ourselves and attempt to provide all students with an appropriate and challenging education.
--Submitted by a parent

I am currently attending this school. and it is sad to see how we have lost so many teachers in the past two years. it is also very unfortunate that our school seems to put other priorities ahead of the students. Many teachers do not recognize the students because they put themselves first. But this school is fun sometimes. Ms. Trattner was cool. But honestly. it is so small!
--Submitted by a student

I attended all four years of high school here and graduated in '05. As is any other school, this one has its mix of good and bad. However, it was amazing to me to see how much education at this school was dictated by small town politics, and the extents some administrators and some teachers would go to in order to prevent students from learning. This said, there were also teachers and administrators that I encountered whom I will be forever grateful to.
--Submitted by a former student