The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Community Leadership Academy
Community Leadership Academy is a charter elementary school in Commerce City that serves students from preschool through fifth grade. It operates under the State Charter School Institute, Colorado’s statewide authorizer for charter schools, rather than under a local school district. The school is classified as a regular public school, meaning it follows the standard academic calendar and curriculum requirements but has the operational flexibility that comes with charter status.
The school’s enrollment is small for an elementary building. The student body is almost entirely Hispanic, with a small number of white students and a handful of Black and multiracial students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting a community with significant economic need. Data on the share of students with individualized education plans or English learner status was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the level of special education and language support services.
On state assessments, Community Leadership Academy’s results fall below the midpoint among districts in Adams County for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In math, a small share of students scored proficient or above, and in English language arts, about a quarter did. In fifth-grade science, the share reaching proficiency was very small. Participation rates on these tests were high, so the results reflect nearly all enrolled students. Because this is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report.
The school’s academic profile suggests that many students are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks, which is a pattern that families should weigh alongside any specific academic interventions or enrichment programs the school offers. Without published data on course access, staffing ratios, or discipline rates, it is harder to get a full picture of the learning environment. A parent considering this school would likely want to visit and ask about reading and math support, the curriculum, and how the school addresses the range of student needs implied by the demographics.
Commerce City itself is one of Colorado’s fastest-growing communities, a mix of residential subdivisions, heavy industry, and commercial corridors. The city’s largest employer is a major oil refinery, and development has been pushing north toward Brighton and Denver International Airport. The population is young, with a large share under age eighteen. The built environment is suburban and auto-oriented, with some parks and trails, including the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, which is a notable open-space anchor. Housing values in the area are near the middle of the metro range, and rents have been rising modestly.
The State Charter School Institute did not have any recent parent-relevant changes to report, so there are no recent boundary shifts, curriculum overhauls, or tax measures to note. That stability may be a neutral factor for families.
Community Leadership Academy fits a family looking for a small, neighborhood-oriented charter elementary in a growing, industrial suburb. The school’s results suggest that academic performance is an area of focus, and families should expect to be actively involved in supporting their child’s learning at home. Without more information on enrichment, class size, or support services, the decision would benefit from a direct conversation with the school leadership.
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