The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in English language arts. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball
Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball is a regular public school in Loveland serving students from preschool through eighth grade. It is part of the Thompson School District R-2J. The school enrolls a large student body for its grade band. The student body is majority white, with a substantial Hispanic population of close to two-fifths of students. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places the school in a high-need economic context compared to many of its peers in the region.
On state assessments, the school’s results are low. In math, roughly one in seven students scored at the proficient or advanced level. In English language arts, about one in five students reached that mark. At the fifth-grade level, around one in six students tested proficient in science, and at the eighth-grade level, just over one in seven met that bar. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index placed it in the bottom quarter relative to other districts in Larimer County. These are soft spots. A parent considering this school would want to know how the school addresses foundational skills, especially in math and literacy, and what supports are available for students performing below grade level.
The school sits in Loveland, a city that blends older downtown character with fast-growing suburban and commercial development east toward Interstate 25. Loveland began as an agricultural town and later diversified with manufacturing and healthcare. Today it functions partly as a bedroom community for Fort Collins, Denver, and other Front Range job centers. The city’s growth has been steady, with the population rising between the 2020 census and a recent estimate. The eastern side of town, anchored by the Centerra development at the I-25 and US-34 interchange, has added major retail, a medical center, an arena, and housing. This growth means that families living in newer eastern neighborhoods and those in older western parts of town may be commuting to the same school but from very different residential contexts.
Housing in the area has seen a slight dip in home values over the past year, while rents have continued to climb. The local market remains expensive relative to the national benchmark, with home prices a good deal above the national average. Monthly mortgage costs on a typical home would be notably higher than the average rent, making homeownership a significant stretch for many households. The area’s unemployment rate has been stable, and median household income has edged up over the last several years, offering some context for the economic pressures families face.
The school itself is part of a district that has seen two major ballot measures approved by voters in recent years. One bond and mill levy override passed in 2022, and another bond and mill levy override was approved in 2024. These collectively fund facility improvements, safety upgrades, staffing, and technology across the district. A parent looking at Peakview Academy may want to ask the school directly how these investments have affected this particular building and what specific programs or staffing improvements have been made with the new revenue.
Peakview Academy is a high-need, low-performing school on state measures, located in a growing but expensive Front Range city. It serves a broad pre-K through eighth-grade population, so a family could stay with this school through the entire elementary and middle school journey. The academic results suggest a school where many students need additional support, and where a family who prioritizes strong test scores would likely want to investigate what interventions and enrichment are in place. The district-level investments in facilities and programs could be changing conditions on the ground, but the most recent assessment data, which is the strongest available snapshot, shows significant room for growth in student achievement.
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