Fossil Ridge High School

5400 Ziegler Road

School District

Poudre R-1
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Poudre R-1 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on November 29, 2023

Not a student, but before the game I listened to this speech about dignity and much more, only to listen to a bunch of overpriveleged white kids taunt players during the game..and wow, your refs said not a mumbling word.* Glad to see you'll are teaching them that they will reap what they sow
Submitted by other on December 13, 2021

This school was a terrible experience for me. While I attended this school I was horrendously bullied. I could not walk down a hall without being harassed because of the way that I looked. The forms of harassment I faced were horrible. Every day I was called transphobic slurs, people would threaten to hurt me, people would take photos of me without my consent, and I was constantly laughed at and yelled at. When I attempted to report them to the deans, the only punishment they would face was a small talking to. Because of the way the deans handled it, many students found it fun to harass and bully me. It was so bad that I was forced to leave the school after my first quarter there. I could not attend any after-school event because of how concerned I was for my safety. The teachers would do nothing to help me, and most ignored me when I asked for help. I couldn't sit at the door by any of my classes because people would stand by it and take pictures of me. When it came to the point where I couldn't go a class period without having to make a report of being harassed, my family and I decided to withdraw from the school. Only when I left the school did the school decide to have an assembly about bullying. I would not recommend this school to anyone who is looking for an inclusive environment for their children.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2021

Both of my children attended FRHS for four years each. They both absolutely thrived at this school. Academically, they took every opportunity presented with AP courses, special interest areas such as journalism, computer programming, art, robotics, and foreign language. The teachers, with maybe one or two exceptions, were outstanding. They were accessible to my kids. FRHS supports the kids to self advocate for themselves. We found the counselor staff equally excellent and went out of there way to help our kids thrive. The principal, Julie Chaplan is wonderful and involved. I was shocked to see some of the harsh reviews on here. I’ve found FRHS kids to be respectful, polite, and motivated students. As a volunteer, I was always impressed with the caliber of young people I was working with. I’ve watched our robotics team work as a family, truly caring about each other and the color of their skin was never an issue. They were friends and teammates…nothing else mattered. Fossil Ridge HS is a great place to go to school!
Submitted by other on July 08, 2020

As a former student, I had an awful experience, and I was considered a "normal" student. I was in clubs, performed well academically, and was in sports. I was involved, I did everything right, but I was brown, so was excessively bullied with no help from the administration. I had to watch others like myself, "different," suffer for 4 years at FRHS.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2018

Very poor academics. Very poor leadership. Extremely liberal teaching and viewpoints pushed by many of the teachers. Teachers are not doing their best and are not held accountable for their ineffectiveness/poor teaching. Also, my kids have seen first hand lots drugs being used within the school.
Submitted by student on March 08, 2015

My experience with Fossil has been wonderful. As a senior, I have been able to experience much of what Fossil has to offer. There is an abundance of opportunities for every student and the counseling office is fantastic. Of course some classes/ teachers are stronger and harder than others, but overall the classes are engaged and beneficial. It is up to the student to participate in the many extracurricular activities available and to take a rigorous schedule. Every student decides his/her own high school experience.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2015

This is a fantastic school with great opportunities. I sent three kids through Fossil Rige and one more still attending. There are those that don't take full advantage of the opportunities provided, for them I am sorry. However, those that choose to take part in all that Fossil Ridge has to offer find this school to be among the best. If you can think of a club they have it. The teachers take pride in their school and it shows with the amount of attention and time they are willing to spend on their students. I highly recommend this school for those that want the most out of their children's education.
Submitted by other on January 26, 2015

Fossil Ridge is a lousy HS. It does not give enough homework in classes that will be used in subsequent HS and college classes. The teachers grade so easily that the student thin they are doing great, but when they take the practice SAT tests the students lack of knowledge will be abundantly clear.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2014

I am surprised to read negative comments about the leadership at FRHS. As a parent, I have been impressed with the principal, who has increased communication and brought about a sense of school family that was lacking. He greets students each day at the front door - by name. The career center staff bent over backwards to help my senior with college transcripts upon discovering they had her entered twice in the system, once as a senior and again as a sophomore. Both of my daughters are involved in activities, work hard in class and their teachers are truly outstanding. Fossil Ridge is a 5 star high school!
Submitted by other on November 20, 2014

The issue with FRHS is really an issue of leadership. Prior leadership understood the needs of a top grade high school in Colorado. Current leadership doesn't understand the demands, needs or trends. You can't speak directly to an administrator. In fact, they sent an email with the protocol that outlined their desires to not be bothered with concerns from their community. The principal is never visible. One of the Deans is gone all the time -- at Disney World. The AP's just don't seem to care. There seem to be a lot of excuses -- "PSD says we must..." There is very little communication home -- no newsletters, weekly updates and the website is not updated. On the other side: The teachers are incredible -- some of the best in the state. The students are great -- very caring. The curriculum is excellent. A change of leadership and the school would again would be a 10.
Submitted by other on November 08, 2014

Overall, this school is ok. The administration and counseling departments are mediocre-acting on a "take initiative for yourself and we are not going to help you" approach; especially the counseling department who I think get so overwhelmed that they don't want to help. However in the past few years, I have always felt helped by the counseling department, just not this year. A lot of the staff is also extremely horrible at teaching, which most of the administration fails to notice. I've had a lot of great teachers that had to be let go, and a lot of permanent teachers that are horrible. I think the administration should take into consideration what the students think about the teachers, vs what they think they know about them. To give fossil credit, I have had a lot of great teachers and a lot of the clubs and sports are really good, I just think that fossil has been going downhill since I arrived a couple years ago.
Submitted by student on October 10, 2014

Fossil Ridge is great. They offer a lot of after school and before school programs. They also have plenty of electives that can suit any person. I am happy with all most all of the teachers. We have a very good Marching Band, Science Olympiad, Knowledge Bowl, and good sports teams. I think that this is a great high school.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2014

I was concerned to read the negative reviews, but I have seen, so far, that the students are able to learn, and learn well, if they are motivated. This is no longer K-8, nor should it be, but rather a bridge between K-8 and college. My child has had excellent teachers and encouragement to learn. It is similar to most aspects of life--you get out what you invest, plus more. I have seen hardworking, caring teachers who teach the classes, offer assistance as needed and evaluate student performance in a timely manner. I have seen teachers that care about their students' success. Finally, we have witnessed great education for our child, which will, if it continues, will prepare her for an excellent future. Thank you, Fossil teachers and staff!
Submitted by student on August 12, 2014

Just left FRHS and I can honestly say the education declined year after year while I was there. To begin with, it was a much better school with better staff overall but as time went on things only got worse. Teachers definitely got lazier and most now follow a "student should learn on their own" approach whenever possible, and many in the school can't be communicated with and many are often very bad in terms of providing help. A few good staff members here and there but for the most part, bad teachers. Can't speak to the new principal because I only saw the result for one year and considering it had already declined in past years, it wasn't a surprise. The administration overall however wasn't very helpful nor nice throughout my years, and definitely encourages self learning. Student body is definitely wealth oriented and there is no doubt the school and ridiculous fees no other school would charge revolve around it. Test scores are high, but after my experience I have to wonder if that's just the result of smart and rich kids, or a mediocre staff. Overall, I can't say it's "worse" than other schools, but there is much to be improved.
Submitted by student on June 24, 2014

First off, I'd like to say you should read the student reviews of this school. I see that a lot of parents complain about this school but the kids love it. I went to Fossil all four years and absolutely loved it. I would do it all over again because I grew so much there and was so prepared for college. The school is completely student-focused. I could contact any of my teachers anytime and they would meet my needs. The teachers were also great at teaching the kids to have a great work ethic as well as good character. The school not only teaches the required courses that all high school students must take, but they also teach many classes that allow the students to learn many life skills. These include: cooking, sewing, writing cover letters in applications, and also finance, communication, and research skills. The school is absolutely the best high school in Fort Collins. Now that I'm in college, I can see how the other high schools in Fort Collins did not prepare their students for college nearly as well as Fossil Ridge High School. I am proud and humbled to say that I was part of Fossil Ridge High School.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2014

I have had two children attend FRHS, and my third will be going elsewhere. Both of my children have had mediocre experiences at best. Other than a couple of great teachers, the staff is unmotivated and uninspiring. Lots of movies are watched in class. Very little interest in encouraging individual students to find their passion and develop their strengths. There are a few amazing teachers (I can count them on one hand), but most are ho-hum. A few students receive the majority of the attention. Availability of staff to students and parents is poor. Several teachers find it necessary to prove they are smarter than the students by testing them over material that was not covered. They then think it is funny when the class average is a D. The philosophy of most of the math department is that the students should teach themselves. New administration leaves much to be desired. Lots of head nodding and smiling, but no real action. FRHS should be an awesome school, but it is not at this time.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2014

Fossil Ridge High School was a disappointing experience for our family. Our experience over the past four years has included a disproportionate share of inexperienced, bored teachers who assign a lot of busywork to make up for a lack of real teaching,, a band teacher with a giant ego interested who is only in winning competitions and not in teaching, and a principal who wants to be friends with his staff and has trouble holding them accountable. Our children received a substandard education. Wish we had enrolled them at Rocky Mountain High School.
Submitted by other on May 05, 2014

I am a student Fossil Ridge that will be graduating soon. And having been at Fossil for the last 4 years, I can easily say that this is a good school, compaired to some of the other schools in the Poudre School District. I have known MANY students who have transferred to Fossil from Fort Collins High School and they have all told me that it is such a better school & are glad they transferred. That being said, even though its a "good" school, it is not & never will be a "perfect" school. No school can be. I find it lacks the support & involvement of the administration team & Principle...but at the end of the day, thats not what I go home and think about. I think about all the amazing friends I've made here at Fossil (and trust me, not everyone here is a stuck up rich kid!), along with finding my passion & future career path. Im glad I stayed with Fossil for all these years, because its halls are filled with the kindest & most caring students AND staff, which not many schools can say for themselves. I love you Fossil & will miss you <3 -Grad of 2014
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2014

Coming from Kinard we expected the same guidelines and help from the staff. We didn't receive any at all my son is struggling so hard wih grades and communication with his teachers. I send emails to his teachers that get no replies or very few words if any. This school lax and discipline when it comes to skipping class. And they do not watch over the freshman students leaving the school. This school is highly populated and has too many kids for as few staff members to watch over.
Submitted by other on January 17, 2014

This school disgusts me. Most of the teachers are rude and the students are only prideful in their parents wealth. Disrespect is shown from every body of the school (admin, teachers, students)