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Excel Academy Charter School

Q: Is Excel Academy Charter School a good school?

Excel Academy Charter School ranks 386 th of 946 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

386^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 946 Colorado Elementary Schools

Better than 59% of Colorado elementary schools

Summary

Excel Academy Charter School is a K-8 charter school in Arvada, Colorado, serving 445 students in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1. The school has historically been a solid mid-tier performer, but recent trends show decline: for 2025–2026, Excel ranks 386th out of 943 Colorado elementary/middle schools (59th percentile, 3 stars), down from 219th (77th percentile, 4 stars) in 2022–2023. The student body is economically mixed (24.5% free/reduced lunch), and the school maintains a favorable 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio.

Academically, Excel's proficiency rates sit below district averages in both ELA and Math. ELA proficiency is 43.7% versus the district's 53.7%, while Math is 43.2% versus 44.6% (though Math remains above the state average of 37.3%). Nearby schools generally outperform Excel: Sierra Elementary School posts 70.5% ELA and 69.4% Math, and Meiklejohn Elementary posts 75.9% ELA and 66.5% Math. Even Fremont Elementary School, with higher poverty rates, exceeds Excel in both subjects. Among nearby K-8 charter schools, Excel is the lowest-performing of three: Woodrow Wilson Charter Academy ranks 149th (84th percentile), Lincoln Charter Academy ranks 223rd (76th percentile), and Excel sits at 386th. One clear strength is 8th-grade science, where 46.9% of students are proficient—well above the district's 42.7% and the state's 35.4%.

Excel's chronic absenteeism rate is remarkably low at 12.6%—less than half the district rate of 26.6%—signaling strong student engagement and family-school connection. However, subgroup outcomes reveal concerns, particularly for gifted and talented students, who rank in the 28th percentile statewide. The decline is recent and real: ELA proficiency has dropped from 59.2% in 2022–2023 to 43.7% today, while the district average rose over the same period. Grade-level patterns show particular weakness in 3rd and 8th grades, with 4th grade a relative bright spot. On the positive side, the low student-teacher ratio and excellent attendance provide a solid foundation, and 8th-grade science is a genuine standout. With strategic review of its instructional model, Excel has the potential to reverse its recent slide and better serve its students.

445

Students ?

14.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,212

Per pupil spending ?

24.5%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Colorado receive free school meals.

93.3%

Kindergartners fully immunized against measles (MMR) (2025-26)

Exemptions: 4.4% (MMR)

11500 W. 84th Ave
Arvada, CO 80005-5272

(303) 467-2295

District: Jefferson County School District No. R-1

Racial breakdown:

White:

73.7%

Hispanic:

15.3%

Two or more races:

8.5%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Excel Academy Charter School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 65th percentile in 2016 → 59th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Colorado median (59th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 6 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school44%

District avg49%

Colorado avg40%

Elementary school

386^th of 946

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 41%▼ down 6 pts since 2016

From top 35% (2016) to top 41% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

166^th of 476

Colorado public middle schools ?

Top 35%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

From top 38% (2016) to top 35% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

50^th of 84Elementary Schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1

24^th of 114Jefferson County School District No. R-1 among Colorado districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	57.1	386 of 946	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.5	366 of 950	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.0	366 of 943	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	73.4	219 of 933	76.5%	★★★★☆
2022	67.9	272 of 921	70.5%	★★★★☆
2021	60.8	306 of 710	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	76.2	198 of 965	79.5%	★★★★☆
2018	72.7	218 of 917	76.2%	★★★★☆
2017	45.3	451 of 929	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2016	60.3	319 of 914	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2015	60.3	327 of 938	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2014	69.6	273 of 962	71.6%	★★★★☆
2013	80.4	160 of 954	83.2%	★★★★☆
2012	73.7	231 of 935	75.3%	★★★★☆
2011	66.1	330 of 935	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	53.3	479 of 925	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	44.7	532 of 872	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2008	57.3	402 of 849	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	55.1	429 of 852	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2006	62.2	352 of 829	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2005	57.6	382 of 823	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2004	68.2	264 of 808	67.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	44.3	367 of 695	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	45.8	345 of 694	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.9	297 of 684	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.6	226 of 642	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.8	209 of 595	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.8	205 of 351	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	66.9	217 of 758	71.4%	★★★★☆
2018	64.0	212 of 690	69.3%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	44.7	87 of 120	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	34.3	94 of 110	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	43.9	58 of 84	31.0%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	54.2	304 of 697	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	60.7	246 of 700	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.8	332 of 683	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	74.2	147 of 649	77.3%	★★★★☆
2022	71.9	156 of 594	73.7%	★★★★☆
2021	71.3	117 of 352	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	80.0	125 of 764	83.6%	★★★★☆
2018	67.3	186 of 693	73.2%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	34.3	384 of 547	29.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	43.5	321 of 551	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.5	349 of 539	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	63.1	184 of 525	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.8	230 of 454	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	54.4	257 of 596	56.9%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	59.1	166 of 476	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.0	185 of 469	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.5	115 of 485	76.3%	★★★★☆
2023	73.3	106 of 480	77.9%	★★★★☆
2022	75.0	92 of 448	79.5%	★★★★☆
2021	76.8	72 of 369	80.5%	★★★★☆
2019	69.5	115 of 458	74.9%	★★★★☆
2018	69.6	102 of 418	75.6%	★★★★☆
2017	39.0	237 of 424	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	55.7	153 of 400	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2015	65.7	112 of 436	74.3%	★★★★☆
2014	74.8	101 of 461	78.1%	★★★★☆
2013	73.1	109 of 454	76.0%	★★★★☆
2012	63.9	154 of 425	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	68.4	129 of 422	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2010	57.9	175 of 409	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	46.0	228 of 377	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	43.0	224 of 362	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	47.6	203 of 360	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2006	55.2	155 of 346	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2005	61.7	134 of 340	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2004	73.8	79 of 336	76.5%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	65.5	109 of 368	70.4%	★★★★☆
2025	51.1	150 of 347	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	69.4	96 of 350	72.6%	★★★★☆
2023	65.1	112 of 363	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.5	122 of 326	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	71.1	58 of 254	77.2%	★★★★☆
2019	69.6	92 of 352	73.9%	★★★★☆
2018	67.5	81 of 315	74.3%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	42.0	181 of 372	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.0	165 of 352	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.1	101 of 357	71.7%	★★★★☆
2022	71.2	76 of 328	76.8%	★★★★☆
2021	70.7	57 of 249	77.1%	★★★★☆
2019	83.9	45 of 343	86.9%	★★★★☆
2018	66.7	76 of 317	76.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	39.4	168 of 278	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	33.2	184 of 275	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.0	125 of 273	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.1	107 of 286	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.2	100 of 265	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	72.7	43 of 203	78.8%	★★★★☆
2019	49.7	132 of 283	53.4%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Male (2026)56th percentile-3 vs school

Female (2026)47th percentile-12 vs school

White (2026)30th percentile-29 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)28th percentile-32 vs school

Middle school

Female (2026)70th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2026)51st percentile-14 vs school

White (2026)40th percentile-26 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2025-2026) ?

Science46%+10 vs state

English Language Arts44%~ state avg

Math43%+6 vs state

3.0

4 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, November 17, 2022

I have an elementary school child who attends Excel Academy, and we have had a phenomenal experience in the two years we have been here. The new focus on explorations has made learning very engaging. Teachers are phenomenal! The PTO sponsors great community events. While some parents have complained about recent changes, my perspective is that all of these have been much needed and have made the school even better! I would definitely recommend this school. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, May 22, 2018

We loved this school years ago. Administration changes and its really gone down hill. The way many of the kids get treated in this school is ridiculous. There is so much bullying that goes on in this school and the principal has turned it in to a really unhealthy environment with so much animosity that I would highly recommend NOT going to this school. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, May 30, 2011

Excel is a great school with wonderful teachers. Students leave more than ready for High School. Close Quote

by a student
Monday, October 12, 2009

I Attended Excel Academy from 2005-2009 which then I graduated. I loved this school in 5th grade because I was in a "higher math class" then the grade I was actually in. The teachers were great and they were well trained. In 2006 when the administration changed everything went down the drain. Many of their best teachers either moved or their contracts "EXPIRED". Many of whoam were my favorite teachers that made me actually like school. This school became less of a challenge as the years passed by because you could not "fail". I mean this literaly, you could not fail, their grading system prevented this. The only sure way you could fail is if your the parent made the child repeat a grade, which I am sure no parent would want unless absolutely nessesary. This year my favorite middle school teacher is leaving making any connection I have with this...bad memory lost. I laugh at the thought of ever returning in this building. Close Quote

Schools Near Excel Academy Charter School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CMAS English Language Arts (2026)							CMAS Math (2026)							CMAS Science (2026)		Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CMAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Math 3rd Grade	CMAS Math 4th Grade	CMAS Math 5th Grade	CMAS Math 6th Grade	CMAS Math 7th Grade	CMAS Math 8th Grade	CMAS Math All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	CMAS Science 8th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners fully immunized against measles (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Total
Excel Academy Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	11500 W. 84th Ave	Arvada	80005	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	Yes	No	No	No	(303) 467-2295	445	31	14.4	24.5%	328 (73.7%)	3 (0.7%)	68 (15.3%)	8 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (8.5%)	57.1	386^th of 946 public elementary schools	59.2%		59.5	366^th of 950 public elementary schools	61.5%	20	35.2	58.0	39.0	45.6	46.5	37.5	43.7	37.0	54.0	43.9	45.6	37.2	40.8	43.2	43.9	46.9	93.3%	4.4%	$14,212
Sierra Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7751 Oak Street	Arvada	80005	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-0821	493	28	17.6	12.6%	387 (78.5%)	1 (0.2%)	79 (16.0%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.1%)	89.8	75^th of 946 public elementary schools	92.1%		88.7	86^th of 950 public elementary schools	90.9%	11	68.3	63.4	81.4				70.5	69.8	66.2	72.9				69.4	57.6		97.6%	0%	$16,933
Meiklejohn Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	13405 W 83rd Pl	Arvada	80005	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-5695	521	30	17.2	7.1%	416 (79.8%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (10.0%)	13 (2.5%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (7.3%)	90.5	66^th of 946 public elementary schools	93.0%		91.4	58^th of 950 public elementary schools	93.9%	8	66.7	74.7	90.6				75.9	66.7	62.2	71.9				66.5	54.7		95.6%	1.1%	$18,147
Van Arsdale Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7535 Alkire Street	Arvada	80005	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-1080	492	28	17.7	16.7%	364 (74.0%)	2 (0.4%)	90 (18.3%)	10 (2.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.9%)	81.3	165^th of 946 public elementary schools	82.6%		65.4	314^th of 950 public elementary schools	66.9%	149	55.9	71.6	58.3				62.4	69.7	68.9	51.7				64.0	47.5		93.8%	0%	$16,525
Lincoln Charter Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	7180 Oak Street	Arvada	80004	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	Yes	No	No	No	(303) 467-5363	824	47	17.4	28.4%	613 (74.4%)	7 (0.8%)	137 (16.6%)	15 (1.8%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (5.9%)	74.6	223^rd of 946 public elementary schools	76.4%		63.8	328^th of 950 public elementary schools	65.5%	105	47.0	69.1	63.7	58.7	67.2	51.6	59.5	48.2	61.7	45.0	42.7	48.3	40.6	48.1	61.3	40.9	88%	12%	$11,050
Weber Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8725 West 81st Place	Arvada	80005	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-1012	312	22	14.2	41.3%	195 (62.5%)	2 (0.6%)	90 (28.8%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	19 (6.1%)	36.8	557^th of 946 public elementary schools	41.1%		39.7	528^th of 950 public elementary schools	44.4%	29	30.0	33.3	41.5				35.0	31.7	37.8	38.1				35.8	33.3		92.7%	1.8%	$18,218
Lukas Elementary School	Public	K-5	9650 West 97th Avenue	Westminster	80021	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-0368	402	27	15.0	31.3%	247 (61.4%)	4 (1.0%)	109 (27.1%)	8 (2.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (8.2%)	59.1	364^th of 946 public elementary schools	61.5%		47.6	465^th of 950 public elementary schools	51.1%	101	38.9	47.1	66.7				51.1	45.5	38.6	44.1				42.4	49.2		95.3%	1.6%	$17,975
Warder Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7840 Carr Drive	Arvada	80005	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-0950	432	26	16.6	22.5%	310 (71.8%)	1 (0.2%)	95 (22.0%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.3%)	70.5	262^nd of 946 public elementary schools	72.3%		67	301^st of 950 public elementary schools	68.3%	39	53.4	58.2	66.7				59.1	38.3	53.7	53.8				48.6	50.0		94.9%	3.4%	$16,529
Woodrow Wilson Charter Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	8300 W 94th Avenue	Westminster	80021	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	Yes	No	No	No	(303) 431-3694	518	32	16.0	17.2%	370 (71.4%)	3 (0.6%)	108 (20.8%)	12 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.8%)	83.2	149^th of 946 public elementary schools	84.2%		79.4	183^rd of 950 public elementary schools	80.7%	34	47.4	56.6	83.0	64.3	54.5	59.2	60.5	54.4	62.3	83.0	55.4	36.4	67.3	59.8	69.6	60.4	72.2%	27.8%	$9,074
Stott Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6600 Yank Way	Arvada	80004	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-2638	288	21	13.7	32.3%	223 (77.4%)	1 (0.3%)	43 (14.9%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (6.3%)	87.7	98^th of 946 public elementary schools	89.6%		73.4	242^nd of 950 public elementary schools	74.5%	144	63.9	77.1	77.1				72.6	74.3	60.0	57.1				63.8	52.9		100%	0%	$19,353

Frequently Asked Questions about Excel Academy Charter School

How many students attend Excel Academy Charter School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 445 students attended Excel Academy Charter School.

Is Excel Academy Charter School a good school?

Excel Academy Charter School ranks 386^th of 946 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Excel Academy Charter School in?

Jefferson County School District No. R-1

What is the racial makeup of Excel Academy Charter School?

Students at Excel Academy Charter School are 74% White, 15% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

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Latest Colorado data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 attendance dataOct 6, 2026

2025–26 CMAS, PSAT10, PSAT9 & SAT test scoresAug 19, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.