The Upper School

Ridgeview's High School (also referred to as the Upper School) encompasses grades 9-12. Course offerings and student activities continue to expand in the high school. Our Arts program shines as students become more skilled instrumentalists, dancers, vocalists, and artists. Students find plenty of time for recreation and community building through clubs, student organizations, and other activities.


A group of high school girls posing at an extracurricular dance

Prom & Other Dances

With Homecoming, Winter Ball, Swing Dance Nights, and Prom, there are plenty of opportunities for our high school students to show off their dance moves.

Classical teacher using socratic method at Ridgeview in Fort Collins

College Prep & CU Succeed

While Ridgeview expects students to excel on tests such as the ACT and SAT, faculty do not explicitly teach to the test. Ridgeview offers many AP course and students are encouraged to take them. Ridgeview also offers some courses with dual enrollment from the CU Succeed program.

More about CU Succeed

Performing Arts

Students may participate in choirs, band, orchestra, the Madrigals choir, drama, dance, and much more. Every fall, students put on a play, and in the spring, a musical.

Leadership Clubs

Students in high school may participate in Student Council or the Student Ambassador programs.

A group of high school kids at a state robotics competition

Science & Technology

Ridgeview has successful Science Bowl and Robotics teams. In 2019, Ridgeview’s Robotics team came in second in the Colorado state competition. Students may also serve as Teacher Aides in the Science Department to learn more from their teachers while contributing to the school’s science community.

Clubs & Activities

There are a myriad of clubs and activities available to our upper school students, including: Mock Trial, Science Bowl, Chess Club, Key Club, and more.

Outdoor Education

Each summer, upper school students take class trips to places such as the Fulford Caves or local 14ers. During the academic year, students are invited to join smaller trips to go ice climbing, snow shoeing, and to learn winter survival skills.

More about the Outdoor Program

Senior Thesis

The Senior Thesis

In answering the question, “What is essential to the good life?” seniors explore how they might choose to conduct their lives with intelligence and virtue. Over the course of the year, students work with their advisors to read important texts, discuss ideas, answer potential challenges, and review drafts of their work. By April, students will have submitted an essay that is 7,000 words in length and defended their thesis to their fellow students, teachers, family, and friends. It is a fitting capstone experience for students who have undertaken a genuinely classical, liberal arts education.