Original Research by School Decision on Swallows Charter Academy High School
Swallows Charter Academy High School is a regular public charter school in Pueblo West serving grades nine through twelve. It is part of Pueblo County School District 70, which operates on a four-day school week, a change that affects family schedules, childcare arrangements, and the rhythm of the school year for every student in the district. The school’s enrollment is small for a high school, with the largest entering class and a gradual decline through the upper grades, a common pattern at a smaller school. More than three in ten students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is modest relative to many Colorado schools but still represents a substantial portion of the student body.
The student population is predominantly white, with a Hispanic enrollment of about a quarter and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. Asian and American Indian or Alaska Native students are each present in very small numbers, and there were no Black students enrolled at the time of reporting. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about support services for these populations.
State testing data was not available for this school, so there is no way from this record to gauge its academic performance on the typical metrics of proficiency in math, English language arts, or science. Similarly, the school’s graduation rate, chronic absenteeism rate, and any discipline or course access data are absent from the record. Because there is no testing or outcome data reported, the school cannot be compared to other high schools in Pueblo County on these measures. This lack of information is notable; a parent considering this school would need to seek out results from the school directly or from state-level sources that may publish them separately.
The school is a charter, which means it operates with some autonomy from the district while remaining a public school. It is located at the Civic Center Drive address in Pueblo West, a planned community that is car-dependent and low-density, with no traditional downtown. Commercial activity is concentrated along the Highway 50 strip, and the community is spread across about fifty square miles of rolling prairie. Housing values in the area sit well below the state median, and the housing market has been relatively flat. Rents are moderate compared to national benchmarks, and the area is more affordable than much of the rest of Colorado.
Pueblo West has been growing steadily for decades, and the school population has followed that growth. The broader district has built new schools repeatedly to keep up. The community’s civic anchors are outdoor and recreational: Lake Pueblo State Park, a golf course, equestrian facilities, and a trail system. The library is a partnership between the city and county. Public transit is minimal, limited to an intercity bus line.
For a family considering Swallows Charter Academy High School, the main open question is academic. Without proficiency data, graduation rates, or any other outcome metrics in the record, it is not possible to assess the school’s academic strength from this information. What is clear is that it is a small charter high school in a fast-growing, affordable, car-dependent suburban community, operating on a four-day week within a district that serves the broader Pueblo West area. A parent would want to investigate student performance, college-going rates, and program offerings directly with the school before forming a judgment about whether it fits their student’s needs.
See more original research from School Decision →