Skip to main content

Average

#1144 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

5.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,144 of 1,815

In Brighton

#4 of 17

public schools

In district

#9 of 31

School District 27J

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Foundations Academy?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Foundations Academy

5.5/10

Elementary School in Brighton · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bromley East Charter School

3.3/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mary E Pennock Elementary School

4.9/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Foundations Academy

Foundations Academy is a public elementary school in Brighton, CO, part of School District 27J. Foundations Academy serves approximately 767 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Foundations Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,144 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Foundations Academy show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Foundations Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.63 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.1% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.3% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.6 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,854
Chronic Absenteeism16%

Foundations Academy — Students at Foundations Academy score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

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 47.7% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
37.4% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 51.6% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
45.5% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 39 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
49%
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: 5.7/10.

How Foundations Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
37th percentile in CO
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.0%

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. Reunion Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Commerce City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meadow Ridge Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Lochbuie), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mary E Pennock Elementary School (rated 4.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 3.3
Mary E Pennock Elementary School Brighton 0.9 mi 4.9
Elaine S. Padilla Elementary School Brighton 1.2 mi 3.2
Eagle Ridge Academy Brighton 1.1 mi 8.3
Prairie Vista Youth Service Center Brighton 1.3 mi 5.4
Meadow Ridge Elementary School Lochbuie 1.8 mi 7.0
Southeast Elementary School Brighton 2.2 mi 2.7
Overland Trail Middle School Brighton 2.3 mi 3.2
Northeast Elementary School Brighton 2.3 mi 3.3
Lochbuie Elementary School Lochbuie 2.5 mi 4.0
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Brighton 2.4 mi 4.6
Brighton High School Brighton 2.7 mi 5.7
Vikan Middle School Brighton 2.8 mi 4.0
Innovations & Options Brighton 2.7 mi 4.9
BRIGHTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Brighton 3.0 mi 5.2
Bright Beginnings Brighton 3.0 mi 4.6
27J Online Academy Brighton 3.0 mi 3.0
South Elementary School Brighton 3.0 mi 3.4
ELMWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Brighton 4.3 mi 7.7
Reunion Elementary School Commerce City 6.1 mi 7.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Evans Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 5.5
Gunnison Elementary School Gunnison, CO 5.5
Woodmen Hills Elementary School Falcon, CO 5.5
Canyon Creek Elementary School Aurora, CO 5.4
Chappelow K-8 Magnet School Evans, CO 5.4
Coyote Hills Elementary School Aurora, CO 5.6

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 ranks #1,144 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Foundations Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Foundations Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Foundations Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Foundations Academy has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

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

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.