The top reported proficiency rate is 19% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Five Star Online Academy
Five Star Online Academy is a regular public school within the Adams 12 Five Star School district, serving students from elementary through high school in a fully online format. It is not a charter school. The school is classified as a regular school, but its name and the fact that it serves such a wide grade span—beginning in the early elementary years and continuing through the senior year—point to a virtual program rather than a traditional brick-and-mortar campus. For a family considering an online education within the district, this is the designated option.
The student body is moderately sized for a school that covers so many grades, with an enrollment that is heavily tilted toward the upper grades. Most students are in middle and high school, while the early elementary grades have very few enrolled—none at all in first or second grade, and only small numbers in third through fifth. Racially and ethnically, the school reflects the diversity of the surrounding community: about half of students are Hispanic, with roughly a third white, and smaller shares of Asian, Black, multiracial, and Native American students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, as well as those receiving special education services or classified as English learners, were not reported. A parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports available for students who need additional academic or language assistance.
On the state assessments taken by students in grades three through eight, the proficiency rates are low. In math, less than one student in ten scored at the proficient or advanced level. In English language arts, roughly one in five did. Participation rates were also notably low—about two-thirds of enrolled students took the tests. Low participation is common in online schools, where test administration often requires students to come to a physical location, and some families choose not to participate. Still, a parent should be aware that the reported results reflect only those who tested, and the proficiency figures place the school in the bottom quartile among districts in Adams County on an overall proficiency index. Science results for grades five and eight were suppressed due to small counts, so no reliable comparison is possible there. No high school assessment data is included, since Colorado tests high school students with different exams; the school’s academic performance at the secondary level—where most of its students are enrolled—is not captured by these figures.
Because the school serves students through grade twelve, a graduation rate would normally be reported, but none was provided. That is a notable gap for a school with a sizable senior class. A family considering whether students at Five Star Online Academy complete high school at typical rates should ask the school for this information. Similarly, data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing, and course offerings were not available, so it is difficult to assess the day-to-day learning environment from this profile alone.
The school is located in Thornton, a large, fast-growing suburban city north of Denver. Thornton is largely car-dependent, with single-family neighborhoods, big-box retail, and a network of parks and trails rather than a traditional downtown. The city has seen rapid population growth over many years and is actively planning for more residential development. Housing values in the area are moderately above the national median, and rents are elevated relative to incomes—a typical monthly rent here would consume a substantial share of a median household’s budget. The commuter rail N Line serves Thornton with three stations, offering a link to Denver.
For whom might this school fit? It is an online option within a district that otherwise operates conventional schools, so it likely appeals to families who want flexibility—perhaps students who need to learn at their own pace, those involved in intensive extracurriculars or work, or those who prefer a remote environment. The low test scores and participation rates are common patterns in virtual schools, but they also mean a parent should investigate how the program ensures academic accountability, especially for high school students moving toward a diploma. Without graduation data or information on curriculum, pacing, and teacher interaction, a thorough conversation with the school is essential before enrolling.
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