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Below Average

#1678 of 1,815 schools in CO

Foundations Academy

Elementary School · School District 27J

340 SOUTH 45TH AVENUE, Brighton, CO 80601

Charter

Enrollment

767

Student-Teacher

18.3:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brighton

#14 of 17

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#925 of 1,006

In district

#25 of 31

School District 27J

About Foundations Academy

Foundations Academy is a public charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Brighton, Colorado, with an enrollment of 767 students. Located at 340 South 45th Avenue in a large suburban area, the school has 42 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1. Academically, Foundations Academy is working toward stronger performance in core subjects.

Currently, 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 36% meet proficiency benchmarks in math. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5/10, ranking #1186 out of 1831 Colorado schools at the 35th percentile statewide. These metrics suggest the school has room for academic growth as it continues to develop its instructional programs.

As a charter school, Foundations Academy operates with some autonomy within Colorado's public education system, allowing flexibility in curriculum and instructional approaches. Families interested in the school should consider both its accessible location and these current performance levels when evaluating their options.

What Parents Should Know

Foundations Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.3%
Math vs. State Avg-1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.6 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,462

Foundations Academy — Students at Foundations Academy score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 36.4%
School
State
37.4%
ELA Proficiency 40.7%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 19 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
43%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
38%
2025
Math
35.2%
ELA
38.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.

How Foundations Academy Compares

See how Foundations Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in CO
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

340 SOUTH 45TH AVENUE, Brighton, CO 80601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Foundations Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadow Ridge Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Lochbuie), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mary E Pennock Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lochbuie Elementary School (rated 5.4/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Lochbuie), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brighton, see our Brighton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Bromley East Charter School Brighton 0.8 mi 3.5
Mary E Pennock Elementary School Brighton 0.9 mi 6.4
Elaine S. Padilla Elementary School Brighton 1.2 mi 3.1
Eagle Ridge Academy Brighton 1.1 mi 6.0
Prairie Vista Youth Service Center Brighton 1.3 mi 6.1
Meadow Ridge Elementary School Lochbuie 1.8 mi 7.3
Southeast Elementary School Brighton 2.2 mi 4.4
Overland Trail Middle School Brighton 2.3 mi 4.6
Northeast Elementary School Brighton 2.3 mi 5.2
Lochbuie Elementary School Lochbuie 2.5 mi 5.4
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Brighton 2.4 mi 4.6
Brighton High School Brighton 2.7 mi 5.6
Vikan Middle School Brighton 2.8 mi 6.1
Innovations & Options Brighton 2.7 mi 5.5
BRIGHTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Brighton 3.0 mi 5.2
Bright Beginnings Brighton 3.0 mi 6.2
27J Online Academy Brighton 3.0 mi 4.7
South Elementary School Brighton 3.0 mi 5.4
ELMWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Brighton 4.3 mi 7.7
Reunion Elementary School Commerce City 6.1 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,031

Median Home Value

$471,900

Median Rent

$1,729/mo

Population

41,301

College Educated

23.6%

Homeownership

70.9%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

34.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Foundations Academy has a median household income of $99,031. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $471,900, with a median rent of $1,729/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ben Franklin Academy Highlands Ranch, CO 4.2
Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt, CO 4.2
Eastridge Community Elementary School Aurora, CO 4.2
Soaring Eagles Community School Colorado Springs, CO 4.2
Academy of Advanced Learning Aurora, CO 4.3
Bear Creek K-8 School Lakewood, CO 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Foundations Academy

What grades does Foundations Academy serve?

Foundations Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Foundations Academy?

Foundations Academy has an enrollment of approximately 767 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Foundations Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Foundations Academy is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Foundations Academy rank in CO?

Foundations Academy is ranked #1678 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Foundations Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Foundations Academy has a composite rating of 4.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Foundations Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foundations Academy has 36.4% math proficiency and 40.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Foundations Academy a charter school?

Yes, Foundations Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Foundations Academy a Title I school?

No, Foundations Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foundations Academy?

37.3% of students at Foundations Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,005/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Brighton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
767
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Adams County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

School District 27J
District Enrollment
23,139
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,854
District Rank
#25 of 31

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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