The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in English language arts. The lowest is 37% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Parker Performing Arts
Parker Performing Arts is a public charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade, located in Englewood but part of the Douglas County School District. The school has a suburban feel and a sizable enrollment for a K-8 building, drawing families from across the district. As a charter school, it operates with its own governance and educational focus while remaining part of the district. The school’s zip code-area housing values are high, and the rent-to-income ratio is elevated, consistent with the broader cost of living in the area.
Academically, the school presents a split picture. In English language arts, the proficiency rate on the state assessment was well above half of tested students, a solid showing. Math proficiency, however, was noticeably lower, with fewer than half of students meeting the standard. Science proficiency, tested only at the fifth and eighth grade levels, sat between these two, with just under half of students reaching the bar. The participation rate on the state tests was below what is typical, and a parent may want to ask the school about that pattern. Because the school does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report.
The student body is moderately diverse. Just over half of the students are white. Hispanic students make up the next largest group, with smaller shares of students who are two or more races, Black, and Asian. Children who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, or as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, are each a very small presence. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on the share of students served under an Individualized Education Program or classified as English learners was not available.
The Englewood community where the school is located is varied in its character, but the school’s address and zip code are more closely tied to the southeastern quadrant of the city, an area that is almost purely residential and newer. The city as a whole has medical centers as its top employers and a walkable transit-oriented core around CityCenter Englewood, with light rail access and a free trolley. The school campus itself is in an office-park area near the intersection of major thoroughfares, so it is more auto-oriented than the downtown core.
The school’s parent district, Douglas County, has seen notable recent investment. Voters approved a mill levy override in 2022 directed at teacher pay, mental health support, and social-emotional learning programs. In 2024, voters approved both a major bond for new construction, safety upgrades, and facility renovations, and a second mill levy override for teacher and staff recruitment and retention. The bond was structured so that the tax rate would not increase as prior bonds are paid off. The district also implemented a new evidence-based literacy curriculum across all elementary schools beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, emphasizing phonics and comprehension. The school fell within the district’s boundaries for these initiatives.
Because the school is a charter within a larger district, and the district comparison set included only two entities at the district level, a broader comparative positioning was not possible for individual school metrics. The school’s size and grade configuration mean it serves as a standalone option for families seeking a K-8 charter in the Parker area of Douglas County, with an academic profile that is stronger in literacy than in math and science.
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