🚸 A strong start, growing momentum at JACCC
JA Coal Creek Canyon (JACCC) is off to a strong start with encouraging academic data, expanded student opportunities, and a well-connected community. Fall MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) data is strong. Super Monday introduced new offerings, including robotics, yearbook, printmaking, crime scene investigation, and photography; their partnership with Summit Westminster continues to make this enrichment day possible.
The school library is undergoing a renovation that will make it more engaging and inclusive for younger students, while older students are stepping into leadership roles with an 8th grade TA program and cross-grade mentoring with younger Eagles. Sixth graders are looking forward to Outdoor Lab alongside JA Elementary and 8th graders will be participating in the League of Charter Schools’ annual Advocacy Day at the capital. Coal Creek families have come together for a back-to-school BBQ, feather ceremony, and Eagles Night Out.
On the financial side, JACCC continues to make steady progress toward self-sustaining enrollment, and $400-per-classroom contributions from the PTO are helping teachers stock supplies and fund field trips. We're grateful to the Coal Creek team for a strong start to the year and to this tight-knit community for showing up for its students.
📊 Reflecting on our 2025-26 SPF results
Each year, the Colorado Department of Education issues School Performance Frameworks (SPF), which rate schools based on academic achievement and growth. The Board is proud to share that JA Elementary, JA Secondary, and JA Coal Creek Canyon all earned the highest rating available. Summit Westminster and Summit South had insufficient data to receive a full rating. Special congratulations to JA Elementary, where students, teachers, and families earned an amazing 96.7% of available points.
This year also marks an important shift for JA Secondary: for the first time, Secondary's SPF rating is calculated on its own, separate from Summit Academy Westminster and Summit Academy South, which were previously scored together as one combined entity. This gives us the clearest, most accurate picture yet of how JA Secondary is performing independently, and it sharpens our direction for where to focus next.
Next, each JA and Summit campus will develop its annual Unified Improvement Plan (UIP), turning this critical data into concrete, actionable strategies. It is shared each year with our community through the School Accountability Committee. We're grateful for the dedication of our staff to continuous improvement and look forward to building on this momentum together.
📱 An update on the Personal Device Policy
Since launching Policy 7.10 this fall, our school leaders have been actively listening and quickly responding as issues arise. JA Secondary has added staffing so the library can open at 7:30am each day, giving students time to check out Chromebooks first thing in the morning. On October 6, they will survey students directly to gather their feedback on the personal device policy, including laptop use, so their voices help shape how we continue to refine it.
Early results surrounding this policy are incredibly encouraging. We've seen a two-fold increase in books checked out from the library, and students are spending more of their off-blocks playing board and card games and connecting with each other face-to-face instead of engaging with screens.
We understand this policy represents a big adjustment for many in our community. Knowing how much this matters to our families, the Board will continue monitoring its implementation at upcoming board meetings.
💰 Funding updates from the State
Two funding conversations are underway at the state level that will shape our schools' futures.
First, Colorado's new per-pupil revenue (PPR) funding formula takes effect for 2026-27, replacing the prior calculation with a component-based model. Our schools built their 2026-27 budgets conservatively, so any adjustments from this transition will mean additional revenue, not a shortfall. We’re continuing to follow any updates to this new formula until it’s finalized (expected Jan/Feb 2027).
Second, homeschool funding is once again a topic of discussion within the State Board of Education. Our school leaders are staying closely engaged in these conversations, advocating as needed and planning to keep our community informed as things develop.
🗳️ What to know about the Nov. Ballot Mill Levy Questions
This November, Jeffco voters will see two ballot questions related to school funding: (1) a mill levy override for general operating expenses, and (2) a special purpose mill for capital construction and technology needs.
Because Jefferson Academy is a Jeffco authorized charter school, a share of any approved funding would flow to our campuses. We want every family to have the facts and to make an informed decision at the ballot box. Full details on both measures are available here:
Sincerely,
Your Jefferson Academy Charter Schools Board of Directors