The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Swallows Charter Academy
Swallows Charter Academy serves kindergarten through eighth grade as a public charter school in Pueblo West, Colorado, operating under Pueblo County School District 70. The school draws students from a growing planned community that sits about seven miles west of Pueblo. Because it is a charter school, it has some independence from district policies while remaining free and publicly funded. The district recently shifted to a four-day school week, a lasting change that shapes family schedules, childcare logistics, and the daily pace for every student at Swallows.
On state assessments, the school’s proficiency picture is mixed. English language arts performance stands as a clear strength: a solid majority of students in tested grades score at or above the proficient level. Science results, measured at fifth and eighth grade, fall more in the middle, where about three out of ten students reach proficiency. Math is the softer area, with roughly one in four students meeting the bar. That math figure is low enough that a parent may want to ask the school what interventions or curriculum supports are in place. Despite the uneven subject results, the school’s overall proficiency index, which combines all tested subjects and grades, sits comfortably above the typical range among districts in Pueblo County. Participation rates on the state tests were extremely high, which suggests strong compliance and a school that takes accountability seriously.
The student body is diverse in background. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting a mix of income levels common to the area. Racially, the majority of students are white, with a sizable Hispanic population and smaller numbers of students who identify as two or more races, Asian, Black, or Native Hawaiian. The enrollment is balanced across grades, each about the same size, which indicates steady retention through the elementary and middle school years. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report; families looking for that outcome will need to consider where students go after eighth grade.
Pueblo West itself is a car-dependent, low-density community with no traditional downtown. Homes sit on large lots in many areas, and the nearest shopping and services line the Highway 50 corridor. Housing values are more attainable than the state median, which draws families seeking space and affordability. The area has been growing quickly for decades, with new schools built repeatedly to keep pace. That growth context means Swallows Charter Academy draws from a population that is still expanding, though the school’s own enrollment looks steady rather than surging. The community offers recreational anchors like Lake Pueblo State Park and a golf course, but public transit is minimal.
A few gaps in the data are worth noting. No information was available on the school’s staffing ratios, special education or English learner populations, or discipline patterns. Those details may be relevant for families with specific support needs. The academic picture is clear: Swallows delivers stronger literacy results than math, and its overall performance places it among the stronger options in Pueblo County’s district family. The four-day week remains the most distinctive structural feature of the school’s day-to-day life, and families should weigh that schedule against their own work and care arrangements before enrolling.
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