Skip to main content

Below Average

#1523 of 1,815 schools in CO

Poudre Community Academy

High School · Poudre School District R-1

2540 LAPORTE AVENUE, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Enrollment

251

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Collins

#44 of 45

public schools

Colorado high schools

#336 of 403

In district

#51 of 51

Poudre School District R-1

About Poudre Community Academy

Poudre Community Academy is an alternative high school located in Fort Collins, Colorado. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, the school has a student body of 251 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. Poudre Community Academy focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse group of learners.

Academically, the school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.2 out of 10, ranking it at #1780 out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it in the 3rd percentile statewide. In ELA and reading proficiency, 12% of students are proficient or above, while only 5% meet these standards in math. Despite these challenges, Poudre Community Academy is dedicated to fostering student development and growth.

The school's location within a mid-size city offers access to community resources and cultural opportunities that complement its educational offerings.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-16.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,223

Poudre Community Academy — Students at Poudre Community Academy score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 12.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 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
5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
5%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Poudre Community Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in CO
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

2540 LAPORTE AVENUE, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poudre Community Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Compass Community Collaborative School (rated 8.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Poudre High School (rated 7.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rocky Mountain High School (rated 6.7/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Collins, see our Fort Collins schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Poudre High School Fort Collins 0.3 mi 7.0
Irish Elementary School Fort Collins 0.4 mi 8.0
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School Fort Collins 1.1 mi 5.3
Lincoln Middle School Fort Collins 1.2 mi 7.2
Putnam Elementary School Fort Collins 1.2 mi 8.9
Bauder Elementary School Fort Collins 1.6 mi 6.7
Blevins Middle School Fort Collins 2.1 mi 5.0
Dunn Elementary School Fort Collins 1.8 mi 7.2
Bennett Elementary School Fort Collins 2.0 mi 7.8
Cache La Poudre Elementary School Laporte 2.7 mi 5.9
Cache La Poudre Middle School Laporte 2.8 mi 7.8
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Collins 2.3 mi 5.9
Rocky Mountain High School Fort Collins 3.2 mi 6.7
Olander Elementary School Fort Collins 3.5 mi 6.8
Axis International Academy Fort Collins 3.5 mi 5.2
Centennial High School Fort Collins 2.8 mi 6.1
Compass Community Collaborative School Fort Collins 3.2 mi 8.3
Harris Bilingual Elementary School Fort Collins 3.1 mi 6.4
Beattie Elementary School Fort Collins 3.6 mi 5.1
Lesher Middle School Fort Collins 3.4 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,679

Median Home Value

$541,300

Median Rent

$1,412/mo

Population

38,217

College Educated

62.7%

Homeownership

36.9%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

32%

Median Age

23

Community Profile

The community surrounding Poudre Community Academy has a median household income of $52,679. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $541,300, with a median rent of $1,412/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Calhan Secondary School Calhan, CO 4.8
Excel Academy Denver, CO 4.8
Highland High School Ault, CO 4.8
R-5 High School Grand Junction, CO 4.8
27J Online Academy Brighton, CO 4.7
Centauri High School La Jara, CO 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poudre Community Academy

What grades does Poudre Community Academy serve?

Poudre Community Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Poudre Community Academy?

Poudre Community Academy has an enrollment of approximately 251 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poudre Community Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Poudre Community Academy is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poudre Community Academy rank in CO?

Poudre Community Academy is ranked #1523 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Poudre Community Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Poudre Community Academy has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Poudre Community Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poudre Community Academy has 5.0% math proficiency and 12.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Poudre Community Academy a charter school?

No, Poudre Community Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Poudre Community Academy a Title I school?

No, Poudre Community Academy is not currently a Title I school.

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

74.9% of students at Poudre Community 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 (2,442/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
251
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.9%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
Larimer County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Poudre School District R-1
District Enrollment
29,772
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,995
District Rank
#51 of 51

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

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.