Jefferson Academy (JA), a public school chartered by the Jefferson County R-1 School District (also referred to as “Jeffco” or “the district.”)

JA began in 1994 when a group of parents filed a charter application with the Jefferson County R-1 School District.  After a successful appeal to the State Board of Education and ultimate approval by the Jefferson County Board of Education, JA opened in August of 1994. The school began as an elementary school and then added a junior high in 1996 and a senior high in 1998. The first graduation from JA was on June 1, 2002.  

JA is authorized under the Charter Schools Act (C.R.S. 22-30.5 et seq.), a law passed in 1993 by the Colorado State Legislature. A public charter school operates via a contract, or charter, with the local Board of Education. The charter stipulates authority and responsibilities given to the charter school’s Governing Board. Charter schools operate with autonomy while being held accountable for results. Periodically, typically during a renewal period, charter schools undergo an external evaluation. Additionally, charter schools are ultimately responsible to their community—the parents and students who choose to attend.  

Public charter schools are mission-led schools with a specific emphasis. JA uses the Core Knowledge sequence in Kindergarten through Sixth grade. The secondary school uses a complementary educational program, which is a Coordinated Humanities model.  Both the elementary and secondary schools focus on a rigorous academic program in a disciplined environment.