The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in English language arts. The lowest is 32% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Firestone Charter Academy
Firestone Charter Academy is a public charter school serving preschool through eighth grade in Firestone, a fast-growing town in the St. Vrain Valley School District. The school enrolls a substantial number of students for a PK-8 charter, with enrollment tapering significantly in the upper grades — eighth grade has a notably smaller class than kindergarten, a pattern that may reflect families leaving for district high schools or other options. The student body is predominantly white, with a moderate Hispanic share and small Asian, Black, and multiracial groups. About one in five students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate well below the national average and a sign that the school draws from a relatively affluent area.
On state assessments, the school’s results are mixed but place it in a strong position compared with other districts in Weld County. An overall proficiency index that combines math, English language arts, and science across tested grades lands the school in the top quarter among the county’s school systems. That index is driven largely by English language arts, where roughly half of students scored proficient or above — a solid outcome. Math proficiency is lower, with fewer than two in five students meeting the mark, and science results are weaker still, particularly at fifth grade. Parents considering the school may want to ask about how the school supports math and science learning, especially given that both subjects trail the ELA performance.
Because the school serves only up to eighth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to report, and no chronic absenteeism data was available in the public record. The school’s charter status means it operates with greater autonomy than a traditional district school, though it remains part of the St. Vrain Valley system. The district itself approved a large capital bond in 2024 to fund school construction and renovations across its 60 schools and programs, which could eventually affect facilities or capacity at Firestone Charter Academy.
Firestone itself is a rapidly growing residential community on Colorado’s Front Range, built out with newer single-family homes and an extensive network of parks and trails. The town lacks a traditional downtown; civic life centers on parks and a planned central gathering space. Housing values in the area are above both state and national medians, and the typical rent consumes a significant share of household income, reflecting the area’s desirability and the cost of living in a growing suburb. The school sits in a car-dependent setting with limited walkability to commercial destinations, characteristic of newer subdivisions. Many residents commute to the Denver-Boulder metro area for work.
For a family evaluating Firestone Charter Academy, the picture is that of a charter school with a strong ELA showing and a top-quartile overall academic index among Weld County districts, but with math and science results that are weaker and worth investigating further. The school’s relatively low poverty rate and the town’s rapid growth and higher home prices point to a peer environment shaped by families with means and high expectations. The small upper-grade enrollment is a characteristic a family may want to understand — whether students tend to leave for other middle schools or the size reflects a deliberate choice to keep classes small. The absence of high school grades means a transition is inevitable after eighth grade, with district high schools located outside Firestone itself.
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