Jefferson Academy Elementary

9955 Yarrow Street

School District

Jeffco Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

charter

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on July 30, 2024

Jefferson Academy has its reputation based on the past. Jefferson Academy Elementary is a horrible school. The principal - Mr.Feddema is a very incompetent leader. The administration does nothing about bullying. They bully the parents if you raise your voice. The Executive Director doesn't want to be involved in anything. There are turnovers and changes in staff every year. They hire incompetent teachers just to have a warm body in the classroom. JA was not like this when I went to school. Great teachers don't stay in this school for a long time. EAs treat children like they are in concentration camp. My kids were not happy at JA. Violence among the students is high. The administration does nothing about it. It's a very toxic place. Take your kids to Woodrow Wilson if you are looking for a charter school.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2023

The administration is very poor, offering only a few electives for students. There is a significant amount of nepotism and a lack of interest in children's development. The high level of bullying persists without effective solutions, and academics are enforced by subpar teachers. The school acknowledges being understaffed with limited options for teachers, electives, and overall resources.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2022

Homework interferes with daily life, so much that you can't enjoy time with your kids on the weekdays. Many teachers are unqualified and "on the job" trained (in house, so they are learning the exact same behaviors and techniques already used in the school). Many of the teaching and disciplinary methods are antiquated and have been disproven by plenty of modern research. Specials are great but they come at a cost to the basic education at this school. They need more research driven education and more accountability for kids who are struggling (they put 100% of the blame on the child or the parents), thereby never adjusting instruction or classroom management appropriately. At our new school we have found that our child is not at grade level for core subjects, where JA had insisted there was no need for concern. The only thing rigorous about this school is the sheer amount of homework and worksheets completed in a day. There are some positives to this school: the teachers themselves are mostly kind and welcoming, they do a good job at creating community. Parents are involved and many are present on a daily basis.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2022

This school relies on their 'reputation' of good test scores and hardly anything else. If you look closer, the test scores are not any different than other schools. And the test scores they do get, come at a cost: homework/stress/homework/stress.Here's what you see happening inside the school:*Stressed out teachers that trying to achieve unreasonable standards for their kids. *Lots of daily homework- always to be turned in the next day, no allowances. Example: Our child was sick this last year due to different illnessness, and still had points taken off for being 'late'. To add insult, I was driving the homework to the school on the same day my child was sick- during school business hours, only for it to be turned in 'late' with points taken off. If you arent already concerned as I am about this, consider that I was having her do her homework while she was sick! Looking back, I'm disgusted with this.*Lack of community, unless you're an approved member of the 2031 class of PTA moms. Yes, everyone knows PTA moms can be exclusive in general, but these moms took it to a new level of snobbery and unfriendliness. They definitely have a bad reputation around the school.*Significant lack of school counselor presence - my child didn't even know the school had a counselor and we were in our 4th year at JA Elementary!**New school- the counselor comes and talks to the class periodically, and has personally checked in with my child a couple times already to see how she's doing in the new school- amazing!!*Inadequate teacher teaching SEL (social emotional learning)- children told to watch a movie with no discussion or sharing in the class. *Children with parents who donate a lot of money to the school, given preference.Bottom line for my family: my child was doing well with grades but the homework was not worth it as we do other activities outside of school. My advice -if your child is super smart and doesn't mind doing tons of homework, they probably wont have a problem with this school. Otherwise, let them have a happy elementary school experience somewhere else! There are better options out there! My child is at a different school now and we are much more happy! My kid actually likes school now and enjoys going! She said 'the teachers don't yell at us!'. --wow, didn't know that was happening at JA!Every family has to make their best decisions for their kids- but atleast heed my warning. I wish someone had warned me 4 school years ago.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2020

I made the biggest mistake ever sending my child to this school. Her teacher and teachers assistant had no education in teaching at all, neither held a degree in education nor anything related to it and were highly inexperienced. They didn’t know how to properly handle situations. On top of that if you have any issue arise you cannot speak with the principal, you have to speak with the assistant principal.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2017

Great sping board to college. The school's curriculum is demanding but if your child went to JA elementary first, they will be prepared.
Submitted by other on September 27, 2016

I am a parent of two students in the Elementary. We chose the school due to its reputation, location, and fact that it has an associated Secondary school with similar credentials. I can tell you I have never seen such an amazing community, academic focus, and value-driven curriculum anywhere else. The principal is caring and kind, a former teacher, and allows parents to voice any and all concerns directly to him and the Board. The Board volunteers an amazing amount of time to drive the school forward, and the PTO works to get the community involved and raise an amazing amount of funds for the school. Every parent I have met cares about the school and the children's safety and knowledge.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2015

Principal is approachable. Teachers are caring. As a parent who experienced the school before the expansion, I am amazed at how well they have handled the growth. Of course there are growing pains as is the case in many institutions. I can't wait to see all my kids learn in the years to come!!!
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2015

We transferred from Two Roads Charter School and and we are glad we did. The school has done an excellent job for preparing my children for college. The ACT prep class helped my son and he got a 32 on the ACT. He got into Colorado School of Mines. The college counselor has done an excellent job counseling my children. My son's AP Calculus teacher meets the kids on Sundays. Only a dedicated teacher would do that. JA does not hold back really bright kids; JA encourages them to take courses at Front Range Community College instead of holding them back and making them take dopey classes. It costs them a lot to have the kids take college classes,but, as a parent I am very pleased with the results. All in all, JA encourages academic excellence.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2014

Sadly, JA has declined steadily since the retirement of founding Principal Mike Munier. This is no longer a Core Knowledge school, but rather a Common Core school that teaches to the test and throws worksheet after worksheet to the kids. The expansion of the elementary has been a train-wreck at best, and most of the new teachers hired do not understand the concept of a charter school, nor do many of the new families that were enrolled. "Academically rigorous" has been confused with tons of homework, and quality no longer seems to be valued. The board and leadership of the school seem confused and ineffective. JA is simply riding on the coat-tails of its former good reputation. After 7 years invested here, we will be leaving as many families are choosing to do.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2014

I have 2 students at Jefferson Academy elementary school. This is a great school with dedicated teachers and a wonderful curriculum. The teachers go above and beyond and they make learning fun. My kids LOVE this school, have made great friends, and have learned so much. With the changes this year that the state has adopted with the common core standards, JA, under the principal's leadership, has ensured that their core knowledge curriculum is supplemented to meet the state standards. Kids are really learning how to learn and problem solve, not just memorize facts. I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

Jefferson Academy in my opinion is one of the best charter schools i have the privilege of sending my child to. I like that Jefferson Academy teaches Core of Knowledge.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

So far I have been very pleased with Jefferson academy this is my son's first year attending. We love his teacher the principle is fantastic. This school has exceeded its reputation in my opinion. The curriculum has achieved my expectation my son comes home happy, excited and ready to learn. He wakes up early ready to return. His reading level has advanced and he is advancing as each day passes. He loves the school lunches, he loves all of his friends, he also loves jag care the daycare program with Jefferson academy. He also absolutly loves the play ground and recess, I love seeing him so enthusiastic about school this makes my heart soar knowing I made the right choice. They have several after school programs to choose from. I love how involved parents are with the school. I love how Jefferson academy listens to my concerns as a parent. They are quick at responding to my concerns. I am proud to have my son in such a wonderful school and look forward to making many more memories here as the years pass. I am all for helping this school earn money for education purposes. Education is the greatest gift we can give to our children. After all they are our future. Live long and prosper
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2013

The scores are falling down since they changed principle. The school is getting way to big