Boulder High School

Boulder High School. It is a comprehensive public high school located in Boulder, Colorado, operating within the Boulder Valley School District. Founded in 1875, it is the oldest high school in the state of Colorado and has a long tradition of academic and extracurricular achievement. The school serves students from the city of Boulder and is known for its diverse programs and historic campus near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

History

The institution traces its origins to the founding of the Boulder Valley Union School District in 1875, with classes initially held in a building on Mapleton Hill. The school moved to its current location on Arapahoe Avenue in 1922, into a building designed by the prominent Denver architect William N. Bowman. This structure, built in the Collegiate Gothic style, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Throughout the 20th century, the school expanded significantly, adding facilities like the Domino's Pizza-funded Domino's Hall in the 1980s and undergoing major renovations in the 1990s and 2000s to modernize its infrastructure while preserving its historic character. Key historical moments include its early accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and its role during World War II, where it participated in national defense programs.

Academics

The school offers a broad curriculum including numerous Advanced Placement courses and is an authorized International Baccalaureate World School, offering the IB Diploma Programme. Specialized programs include the AVID college readiness system and extensive offerings in the visual and performing arts, such as theater productions that have competed at the Colorado State Thespian Conference. The science department has a strong record in competitions like the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair, and the school consistently receives high rankings from publications like *U.S. News & World Report*. Partnerships with local institutions like the University of Colorado Boulder provide additional academic enrichment opportunities for students.

Athletics

Athletic teams, known as the Panthers, compete in Class 5A of the Colorado High School Activities Association. The school has a storied history in sports, with notable success in cross country, track and field, and swimming, having produced multiple individual state champions. The football team has a historic rivalry with Fairview High School in the annual "Boulder-Fairview Football Game." Other successful programs include girls' soccer, which has won several state titles, and boys' basketball. Athletic facilities include a historic gymnasium, a turf field at Christian Recht Field, and an on-campus swimming pool.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved distinction in diverse fields such as politics, science, arts, and sports. In government and law, notable figures include former United States Senator Hank Brown and former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory J. Hobbs Jr.. The entertainment industry is represented by actors like Lauren C. Mayhew and M. Emmet Walsh, and musicians including Judy Collins and members of the band The String Cheese Incident. In athletics, alumni include Olympic gold medalist swimmer Amy Van Dyken and National Football League players like Hale Irwin and Matt Lepsis. Scientific and literary contributors include NASA astronaut John M. Grunsfeld and author Stephen H. Schneider.

Campus and facilities

The main campus occupies a city block bounded by Arapahoe Avenue and Walnut Street, featuring the original 1922 historic building as its centerpiece. This structure houses administrative offices, the main auditorium, and several classrooms, characterized by its stone façade and iconic bell tower. Modern additions include a state-of-the-art science wing, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The campus is also home to the Boulder High School Greenhouse and an outdoor courtyard used for student gatherings. Its location provides students with proximity to resources like the Boulder Public Library and the University of Colorado Boulder campus.

Category:Educational institutions established in 1875 Category:High schools in Boulder, Colorado Category:International Baccalaureate schools in Colorado