Merit Academy

Merit Academy is an alternative public school in Woodland Park, Colorado, serving 452 students in grades PK-12 within the Woodland Park School District Re-2. Despite its "alternative" label, Merit operates much like a small mainstream school, with a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio and a lower-poverty student body than most nearby alternative schools.

Merit has several clear strengths. Chronic absenteeism is just 14.0%, far better than the district's 20.9% and the state's 28.4% — an especially notable achievement for an alternative school. Academically, Merit tops both its district and the state in overall CMAS English Language Arts and Math proficiency. Eighth grade is a standout year: math proficiency reaches 75.6% versus 37.8% statewide, and ELA and science also significantly outperform state averages. Early high school reading is another bright spot, with 97% of 9th graders proficient on the PSAT reading/writing test, a result even higher than nearby Thomas MacLaren State Charter School (91%). Compared with other alternative schools like Lake George Charter School, where ELA proficiency is just 32.9%, Merit's 45.1% aggregate ELA score looks strong.

However, Merit's performance is uneven. Fourth grade is a serious weak spot, with ELA and math proficiency both at 23.4%, well below district and state levels. Recent data also show a sharp decline in all-grades ELA proficiency, from 64.1% in 2023-2024 to 45.1% in 2025-2026. The most concerning pattern is the high school math and science gap: despite exceptional 8th grade math, only 27% of 11th graders are proficient on the SAT math test, compared to 66% at Thomas MacLaren. Eleventh grade science proficiency (22.2%) also falls below state averages. For parents, this means Merit offers strong middle school foundations and excellent reading instruction, but the transition to high school — especially in STEM subjects — is an area to watch closely.