Darien High School

dhs.darienps.org/

1,382 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Darien High School, located in the affluent coastal town of Darien, Connecticut, is widely recognized as one of the top-performing public secondary schools in the United States. Serving students in grades 9 through 12, the school is known for its rigorous academic environment, consistently ranking at the top of state and national assessments. The curriculum offers a broad array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, diverse elective options, and specialized programs designed to prepare students for competitive higher education institutions.

Beyond its academic prestige, Darien High School boasts a vibrant extracurricular culture that plays a significant role in the student experience. The school is particularly noted for its excellence in athletics, frequently securing state championships, as well as a robust arts program that includes award-winning theater, music, and visual arts departments. With a strong emphasis on community involvement, a dedicated faculty, and an active parent body, the school maintains a supportive, high-achieving atmosphere that prioritizes both intellectual growth and well-rounded personal development.

1,382

Total Students

129.0

Full-Time Teachers

10.7

Student/Teacher Ratio

3.9%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Darien High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	1,113
Hispanic	121
Black	15
Asian	81
Two or More	48
American Indian	1
Pacific Islander	2

White
1,113 (80.6%)
Hispanic
121 (8.8%)
Asian
81 (5.9%)
Two or More
48 (3.5%)
Black
15 (1.1%)
Pacific Islander
2 (0.1%)
American Indian
1 (0.1%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Darien School District
Phone:	(203)655-3981
Website:	http://dhs.darienps.org/
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	1,382
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	129.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	10.7
NSLP Participation:¹	No
Qualified Free Lunch:	43
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	11

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 325

Grade 10 337

Grade 11 366

Grade 12 354