Fairview High School is a public, coeducational, comprehensive BVSD secondary school located in Boulder, Colorado, northwest of Denver. Nearly two thousand students attend the school. It is in the 5A category of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA). The school's enrollment was 1,977 in the 2024–25 school year.

History Fairview High School originally opened in 1960, in a building on Baseline Road that is now home to Nevin Platt Middle School. The current school building opened in 1971, designed by Hobart D. Wagener, a Boulder architect who designed other local public buildings such as the University of Colorado Kittredge Dormitories and Williams Village. The modernist building was initially lauded for its 'avant-garde' design, which featured hexagonal classroom clusters, ramps, and open classroom concept that was popular in the 1970s.

Demographics 2012–2013 academic year   Percent Female52 Male 48 Native American/Alaskan 0.2 Asian 10 Black/African-American 0.5 Hispanic/Latino 7 White/Caucasian 77 Two or more ethnicities 5 Free/reduced lunch 7 Reading proficient/advanced 88 Mathematics proficient/advanced 74

Academics

In 2020, Fairview was ranked 249th by U.S. News & World Report in their National High School Rankings; 7th best high school in Colorado, also by US News; 2nd best public high school in Colorado by Niche; and best college prep public high school in Colorado, also by Niche. The school offers kids help with college preparation through its college and Career Center. Fairview has a reputation for being academically demanding.

Athletics

Sports offered

Fall Cross country Golf, boys' Football Soccer, boys' Tennis, boys' Softball Volleyball Cheer/Poms Mountain biking

Winter Basketball Cheer/Poms Swimming and diving, girls' Hockey, boys' Wrestling

Spring Baseball Swimming and diving, boys' Lacrosse Golf, girls' Soccer, girls' Tennis, girls' Track and field

State championships

State Championships Sport No. of Championships Year Baseball1 1993 Basketball, boys' 1 1981 Basketball, girls' 1 1985 Chess 6 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2017 Cross country, boys' 2 2000, 2001 Cross country, girls' 6 1980, 1982, 1984, 1999, 2001, 2005 Football 3 1978, 1979, 1987 Soccer, girls' 1 2010 Soccer, boys' 1 2021 Swimming, girls' 4 2004, 2016, 2018, 2019 Tennis, girls' 1 2016Tennis, boys' 1 2017 Track & field, boys' 2 1985, 1990 Track & field, girls' 1 1990 Gymnastics, boys' (former) 2 1965, 1966 Mountain Biking 1 2017Marching Band11986 Total 33  

Sexual assault controversy On November 22, 2019, the Fairview High School football team's star quarterback and three star Northwestern recruit, Aidan Atkinson, was arrested on three counts of sexual assault, five counts of unlawful sexual misconduct, and one count of attempted sexual assault after he turned himself in to police. The case was reported on by the USA Today, the Denver Post, and the Boulder Daily Camera, among other publications. In 2021, he was found not guilty on most charges and later plead guilty to two lesser charges of misdemeanor harassment. As a result of the school's handling of the incident, the principal was placed on leave and later retired as a Title IX investigation was initiated.

Notable alumni

Academics Lada Adamic, network scientist Natalia Toro (born c. 1985, class of 1999) - physicist at the Perimeter Institute

Actors and musicians Jessica Biel (born 1982, class of 2000) - actress in films and television, played Mary Camden in TV series 7th Heaven, married to singer-actor Justin Timberlake; Biel never fully attended Fairview, she was only tutored there, though she did attend feeder school Southern Hills Middle. Ace Young (born 1980, class of 1999) - American Idol finalist Jill Goodacre (born 1964, class of 1982) - former model and actress, married to musician Harry Connick Jr. Sheryl Lee (born 1967, class of 1985) - actress, played Laura Palmer on TV show Twin PeaksGarcia, Keith. "From Felicity to Foxy Brown, Five Colorado Actresses Who Made Their Name in Hollywood", Westword, January 30, 2015. Accessed May 4, 2017. "Sheryl Lee Perhaps the Fairview High grad with the most obsessive fans around the world is Lee, whose big break came when auteur David Lynch cast the aspiring actress as the doomed Laura Palmer in the most talked-about TV show in years, Twin Peaks." Rudresh Mahanthappa (born 1971, class of 1988) - jazz alto saxophonist and composer, Guggenheim fellow Dizzy Reed - keyboardist, Guns N' Roses Jacob Sproul (born 1983, Class of 2001) - rhythm guitarist and vocalist of rock band Rose Hill DriveGassman, Ian. "From The Who tour to Larimer Lounge: Boulder’s Rose Hill Drive is back after 6 years", Denver Post, December 14, 2016. Accessed May 4, 2017. "The Sproul brothers met Barnes while attending Boulder’s Fairview High School and began practicing in that (since demolished) house way back in 2000." Joan Van Ark (born 1943, class of 1961) - actress, played Valene Ewing in primetime soap opera Knots LandingHeckel, Aimee. "Heckel: Don't you wish your girlfriend was classy like me?", Daily Camera, November 15, 2007. Accessed May 4, 2017. "Van Ark, a Fairview High School graduate, is known for her signature outfit: long-legged pants suits with a jacket, just above the knees." Sheree J. Wilson (born 1958, class of 1977) - played April on TV series Dallas, and Alex on Walker, Texas Ranger Sean Foreman (Born 1985, class of 2003) - Vocalist for the electronic pop duo 3OH!3. Josh Andres Rivera (Born 1995, class of 2012) - Actor, known for West Side Story, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and American Sports Story.

Athletes Joe Barry (born 1970), run game coordinator and linebackers coach for Miami DolphinsJoe Barry , USC Trojans football. Accessed May 4, 2017. "He was a 2-time (1987–88) All-Colorado pick at Fairview High in Boulder after earning All-Iowa second team honors as a 1986 sophomore at Ames (Ia.) High." Kenny Bell (born 1992, class of 2010) - NFL wide receiverNguyen, Joe. "Former Fairview star WR Kenny Bell drafted by Tampa Bay", Denver Post, May 2, 2015. Accessed May 4, 2017. "Former Fairview High School star wide receiver Kenny Bell was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round with the 162nd pick in the 2015 NFL draft." Tony Boselli (born 1972, class of 1991) - Hall of Fame NFL offensive tackle selected 2nd overall in 1995 NFL draft and first overall in 2002 NFL expansion draft; five-time Pro Bowler (1996–2000); three-time All-Pro (1997–99)Crowe, Jerry. "The Line on Boselli Turned Out to Be True : USC: Hard-working redshirt freshman has more than lived up to great expectations.", Los Angeles Times, October 11, 1991. Accessed May 4, 2017. "Boselli came to USC from Fairview High in Boulder, where he carried a 3.5 grade-point average. Fairview is also the alma mater of Chris Foote, a starter at center for USC in the late 1970s, and Scott Lockwood, who was the Trojans' starting fullback before he was sidelined by knee surgery two weeks ago." Tom Chambers (born 1959, class of 1977) - basketball player, selected 8th overall in 1981 NBA draft, four-time All-Star, played for 1992-93 Phoenix Suns team that lost to Chicago Bulls in NBA FinalsClarke, Norm. "Colorado's All Time Top Prep Star? Tom Chambers - By A Spurt", The Seattle Times, February 25, 1990. Accessed May 4, 2017. "Midway through high school, Tom Chambers gave little indication he was destined to become the greatest basketball player ever to come out of Colorado. 'After his sophomore season, he was a 6-2 guard,' remembers Tom McCracken, Chambers' coach at Fairview High School in Boulder." Jesse Crain (born 1981, class of 1999) - MLB pitcherRenck, Troy E. "Jesse Crain being shopped by White Sox, could return to Colorado", Denver Post, July 15, 2013, updated April 29, 2016. Accessed May 4, 2017. "Crain, a former star at Boulder’s Fairview High School, has thought about it." Daryl Dickey (born 1961), football administrator, coach and playerDaryl Dickey, Florida State Seminoles football. Accessed May 4, 2017. "He played high school football at Buchholz High in Gainesville, Fla., but graduated from Fairview High in Boulder, Colo." Chris Foote (born 1956), NFL centerWalter Gutowski (ed.),The Baltimore Colts 1981. Owings Mills, MD: Baltimore Colts, 1981; p. 31. Heather Gilchrist (born 2004), soccer player Margo Hayes (born 1998, class of 2016) - professional climber and first woman to climb a route graded 9a+ Jay Howell (born 1955), three-time All-Star MLB pitcher Carlo Kemp (born 1998), American football player Scott Lockwood (born 1968) - NFL running backCrowe, Jerry. "Fullback Lockwood Has Come Full Cycle : USC: He came here to be a tailback, but he's playing a major role in his new position and learning to like it.", Los Angeles Times, October 19, 1990. Accessed May 4, 2017. "One reason Scott Lockwood turned down a scholarship offer from Colorado after an all-star career at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colo., was that the Buffaloes wanted him to play fullback." Dustin Lyman - NFL football playerRusch, Emilie. "Former NFL player named CEO of Broomfield-based Famous Brands; Dustin Lyman, who attended Fairview High School in Boulder, joined Famous Brands in 2013", Denver Post, September 21, 2016. Accessed May 4, 2017. John Mozeliak (born 1969, class of 1987) - general manager of MLB's St. Louis Cardinals (2007-2025), 2011 World Series championRenck, Troy E. "John Mozeliak of Boulder rose quickly to GM of St. Louis Cardinals", Denver Post, October 28, 2013, updated April 28, 2016. " John Mozeliak entered Major League Baseball through a side door as the assistant of anything available. Two decades later, the Fairview High School graduate is at the center of everything with the St. Louis Cardinals." Shane O'Neill (born 1993, class of 2012) - MLS soccer player Chuck Pagano (born 1960, class of 1979) - NFL head coach, Indianapolis Colts, 2012–2017 "Chuck Pagano, graduate of Boulder's Fairview High, hired as Indianapolis Colts coach", Daily Camera, January 25, 2012. John Pagano (born 1967, class of 1985) - assistant coach of NFL's Oakland Raiders; defensive coordinator for San Diego Chargers 2012-16John Pagano bio at San Diego Chargers (accessed 2012-12-22). Emma Weber (born 2004) - Olympic gold medalist swimmer, did not graduate from Fairview Cat Zingano (born 1982) - professional mixed martial arts fighter, UFC's bantamweight division Brooke Raboutou (Born 2001) is an American professional rock climber and 2024 Olympian

Other Hillary Hall (born 1965) - Boulder Colorado county clerk Ishani Shrestha (born 1991, class of 2009) - 2013 Miss World Top 10 contestant and winner of 2013 Beauty With a Purpose, Miss Nepal 2013 Jessica Watkins (born 1988, class of 2006) - NASA astronaut, geologist, rugby player, and aquanaut.

Notable staff Current staff

Shayne Culpepper, two-time Olympian in track and field and guidance counselor

Former staff

Carol Callan, current USA Basketball Women's National Team Director and former assistant principal (1993-1995) and director of athletics (1986-1995) of Fairview Alan Culpepper, two-time Olympian in track and field and former (2019-2021) Fairview cross-country coach

References

External links

Boulder Valley School District homepage Digitized Royal Banner Issues at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection