12 Poorly Performing Schools Put On Notice By State Board Of Ed

A dozen Colorado schools will face sanctions for chronic low student performance after a vote of the Colorado State Board of Education Thursday.

In addition, about 30 schools saw a drop in their final ratings because of the high number of students who opted out of state tests without a parent permission.

Still, about 87 percent of Colorado’s 1,716 public schools received the two highest ratings on the state’s report card. The ratings reflect test scores, academic growth over one year, and graduation and dropout rates.

Alyssa Pearson, who leads data analysis at the Colorado Department of Education, says the ratings allow comparisons between schools and districts.

“We really want to learn from those that are doing well and succeeding with different groups of students and help and support those that are struggling,” she said. The results “are not about describing what adults are doing in buildings or in districts or how hard people are working. It’s really describing the performance of students in those systems so that we know which students are struggling the most in which places.”

The 12 schools that have run out of time for improvement are about to enter their sixth year of low performance. That could trigger state intervention, which could mean closing, converting to charters or other changes in who runs them. Here are those schools, and their districts:

  • Risley International Academy Of Innovation, Pueblo City 60
  • Aurora Central High School, Adams-Arapahoe 28J
  • Aguilar Junior-Senior High School, Aguilar Reorganized 6
  • Hope Online Learning Academy Middle School, Douglas County RE 1
  • Hope Online Learning Academy Elementary School, Douglas County RE 1
  • Franklin Middle School, Greeley 6
  • Prairie Heights Middle School, Greeley 6
  • Peakview School, Huerfano RE-1
  • Destinations Career Academy Of Colorado, Julesburg RE-1
  • Bessemer Elementary School, Pueblo City 60
  • Heroes Middle School, Pueblo City 60
  • Adams City High School, Adams County 14