The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Social studies. The lowest is 30% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Columbus Preparatory and Fitness Academy
Columbus Preparatory and Fitness Academy is a charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Columbus, with plans to add ninth grade starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The school enrolls a full student body for its grade band, with a student population that is predominantly Hispanic, about two-thirds of whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The majority of the enrollment is concentrated in the elementary and middle grades, with roughly equal cohorts across all nine current grade levels.
The school's academic performance shows proficiency rates that run well below state averages. In math, about two-fifths of students in grades three through eight met proficiency standards; in English language arts, fewer than one-third did; in science, just over two-fifths. English language arts proficiency is the soft spot here. While state testing data was not available for reading and math trends across multiple years, allowing a full picture of growth or decline, the most recent snapshot shows performance that would place the school below the median among charter and district schools in Franklin County. A parent may want to ask the school about their instructional approach in reading, their strategies to support students who come in below grade level, and what progress they have made in recent years on ELA outcomes.
The school's defining feature is its fitness and wellness integration. The name and operational focus emphasize daily physical activity and fitness as a core element of the curriculum and school experience, not an add-on. For families who value structure, physical activity, and an emphasis on whole-child development alongside academics, this is a meaningful differentiator. The school operates as a regular public charter, meaning it is tuition-free and open to any student in the district, with no selective admissions.
The neighborhood surrounding the school, on the south side of Columbus along Demorest Road, is a working-class, mixed-income area. Housing in the zip code is below the state median and has declined modestly in value year-over-year. Many families in the area rely on public transit, and the school's location on a COTA bus line provides transit access. Rents in the area have risen moderately.
The school's expansion to include ninth grade is a substantive change for families already enrolled and those considering long-term enrollment. Rather than transitioning to a high school outside the Performance Academies network at the end of eighth grade, families will have the option to continue within the same organization, with coursework aligned to Ohio high school graduation requirements and stated focus on college and career readiness.
Enrollment data for special education and English learner populations was not reported, so a parent interested in understanding the school's capacity to serve students with those needs should ask directly. The school participated fully in state testing, and attendance and discipline data were not available in the source material provided.
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