Darien High School was US News & World Report’s #1 ranked public high school in Connecticut in 2022 and was ranked #4 in 2025 & 2026. Located 36 miles from New York City along the CT coastline, DHS serves 1,400 students in grades 9-12 with a 99% graduation rate and 94% going on to higher education.

Academic excellence is at the heart of the DHS mission. The course work is rigorous and diverse with 24 AP courses, an AP participation rate of 78% and six academic honor societies.  Students must carry a minimum of six courses, plus Physical Education/Health. A combination of exploratory electives such as Art, Music, Drama, Language, Humanities and Technology Education, are combined with the student’s core curriculum to meet the six course requirement. The broad array of electives ensures that students are able to explore subjects that suit their interests.

In addition to excellent academics, Darien boasts a top-notch athletic department whose primary goal is to develop successful qualities and winning attitudes in student athletes. Darien fields 66 athletic teams in 25 different sports. The program features 34 Varsity, 21 Junior Varsity and 11 Freshmen teams. Blue Wave athletes come in all shapes, sizes and abilities. Among these teams are nationally ranked men’s and women’s teams, state champions and many future collegiate athletes.

There are also more than 60 clubs across a broad range of topics from Quiz Bowl and Model UN to Drama and Film Making to American Sign Language and Black Student Union.