Destinations Career Academy of Colorado

Destinations Career Academy of Colorado is an alternative online school in Westminster, CO, serving 453 students in grades 4–12 and administered by Julesburg School District Re1. The school presents a striking paradox: its graduation rate is exceptionally high at 97.5% (versus 85.6% statewide) and its dropout rate is just 0.6%, yet standardized test proficiency is generally low — only 10.1% of students are proficient in CMAS math versus 37.3% statewide — and chronic absenteeism is elevated at 43.8%, well above the state rate of 28.4%.

Compared with other online and alternative schools in the area, Destinations Career Academy of Colorado stands out for getting students across the finish line. Five Star Online Academy graduates 76.2% of its students, Mapleton Online just 42.3%, and Sobesky Academy 38.5% — while DCA graduates 97.5%. Reading and writing is a relative strength, with SAT Reading/Writing proficiency at 60%, matching the state average and topping Five Star Online (35%) and Mapleton Online (19% on PSAT10). Math, however, is a major vulnerability, with SAT math proficiency at just 20% versus 32% statewide. The student-teacher ratio of 34.2-to-1 is the highest among nearby schools — more than double Stargate Charter School (19.4) and Westgate Community School (20.0) — and has climbed sharply from 14.7 in 2022-23.

These numbers paint a picture of a school that excels at keeping students on track to graduate, likely through flexible, career-focused programming and strong completion support. However, the combination of low math achievement, high chronic absenteeism, and an outsized student-teacher ratio raises questions about academic depth and individualized attention. Families considering DCA should weigh its remarkable graduation outcomes against its academic challenges — particularly in math — and decide whether its online, career-oriented model fits their child's needs.