The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Foundation Academy Charter School
Foundation Academy Charter School is a single-campus charter district serving kindergarten through twelfth grade, and it operates as one school under the charter’s authorization. Because it is a single school, a small district, and a single campus, a family considering it is really evaluating one community that spans elementary through high school. The school draws a diverse student body, with the largest groups being Hispanic students and Black students, each making up about half of the enrollment. White students and students of other racial backgrounds each represent a very small share of the population. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, students with disabilities, and English learners was not available in the materials reviewed, so a family should ask the school directly about the support and services it provides for those groups.
On state assessments, the school’s results show a clear split between English language arts and math. In ELA, across grades three through eight, the share of students scoring proficient or above ranged from just under two-fifths to just over three-fifths, with the strongest performance in sixth grade. In math, however, proficiency rates were lower across the board, and the decline becomes sharper in the upper grades. By eighth grade, a very thin slice of students met the proficiency bar. Science results for grades five and eight were also low, with only a small share of students reaching proficiency. When placed among Mercer County’s districts, the school’s overall proficiency index sits slightly above the midpoint, indicating that its combined performance across subjects and grades is in the middle of the pack for the county.
Chronic absenteeism is an area where the school’s rate falls in the bottom quartile among Mercer County’s districts, meaning a relatively large share of students are missing a substantial number of school days. A parent may want to ask what attendance supports and interventions the school has in place. Per-pupil current spending falls in the middle range but in the lower half of the county, which may reflect a leaner budget compared to some neighboring districts.
The school did not report recent state assessment data for high school grades in the materials provided, and no graduation rate was available, so a family looking at the upper grades should seek those figures directly from the school. The school’s grade span is kindergarten through twelve, so it offers a continuous pathway for families who want to stay in one charter from elementary through high school graduation. Because it is a single school, the peer environment is consistent across all grade levels, which can be appealing for families who value long-term relationships with teachers and classmates.
No recent district-level changes with a clear, lasting impact on parents were identified in a search of publicly reported information. The district brief noted that available records were primarily demographic, financial, and program descriptions without a specific recent shift that would change a family’s decision. The school’s setting was not specified in the data, so a family should confirm whether the campus is urban, suburban, or another type and what transportation or commute options look like for their household.
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