Aurora West College Preparatory Academy

What Aurora West College Preparatory Academy does

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy (AWCPA) is a public Title 1 school operated by Aurora Public Schools (APS) district, located at 10100 E. 13th Avenue in Aurora, Colorado. It serves grades 6-12 under a community schools model, with an enrollment skewed toward middle school (approximately 60% of population) and an intentionally small open-enrollment high school of approximately 400 students. The student body is highly diverse — drawn from more than 20 countries — with over 80% classified as English Language Learners, and the school specifically targets first-generation college-bound students. Leadership comprises Principal Ryan Adams (24 years in education, 12 years at AWCPA) and Assistant Principals Kelley Ellis and Jeana Russell.

AWCPA's core product is a standards-aligned public school academic program augmented by two center-based classrooms — Life Skills and Affective Needs — for students with special requirements, Gifted & Talented education services, and athletic programs at both middle and high school levels. College and career readiness is operationalized through the Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) framework using the Naviance platform, paired with a Google-based Digital Portfolio system. The technology stack is entirely third-party: Infinite Campus for the Student Information System, Naviance for college/career readiness, Peachjar for flyer distribution, MenuLogic for nutrition management, and SchoolMessenger Presence as the website platform provider. No proprietary technology platforms, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities are documented.

The school's business model is non-commercial in the traditional sense. As a public school, AWCPA charges no tuition and is funded by state per-pupil allocations and federal Title 1 supplements channeled through the APS district, with revenue mechanics driven by student enrollment rather than market pricing. Distribution occurs through the APS district enrollment system, where boundary-area students are automatically eligible and out-of-area students enter via a multi-round competitive magnet school application process. Strategic partnerships with Community College of Aurora and Pickens Technical College enable concurrent enrollment for college credit, with pathways to an Associate's Degree upon graduation or continuation into the ASCENT program for free post-graduation college classes.

Name

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy

Legal name

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy

Website

https://awcpa.aurorak12.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy is a public Title 1 school operated by Aurora Public Schools, serving grades 6-12 in northwest Aurora, Colorado. It delivers college and career readiness through dual enrollment partnerships, ICAP/Naviance planning, and a Community Schools wraparound model for a diverse, primarily ELL population.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Aurora

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: As a public Title 1 school within Aurora Public Schools district, AWCPA receives state and federal funding based on student enrollment. No tuition is charged to students.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AWCPA is a public Title 1 school within the Aurora Public Schools district serving grades 6-12 in northwest Aurora, Colorado, providing tuition-free middle and high school education with an intentional focus on college and career readiness. The school offers dual/concurrent enrollment partnerships that allow students to earn college credit and an Associate's Degree upon graduation, supported by the ASCENT program for free post-graduation college classes and the ICAP/Naviance college readiness framework. It also operates specialized center-based classrooms (Life Skills and Affective Needs), Gifted & Talented programming, athletics, and a Community Schools model connecting students and families to 20+ partner organizations.

Product overview

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy (AWCPA) is a public charter school operated by Aurora Public Schools serving grades 6-12 in northwest Aurora, Colorado. The school operates as a Title 1 institution with a 6-12 model that includes a traditional middle school (approximately 60% of population) and an intentionally small open-enrollment high school (approximately 400 students). AWCPA offers center-based Life Skills and Affective Needs classrooms for students with special requirements. College and career preparation is delivered through the ICAP framework using the Naviance platform, complemented by a Digital Portfolio system. Students can earn college credit through concurrent enrollment partnerships with Community College of Aurora and Pickens Technical College, with pathways to earn an Associate's Degree or enroll in the ASCENT program. The school also provides athletic programs at both middle and high school levels, Gifted & Talented education services, and a Community Schools model that connects students and families with local partner organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Academic Program (Grades 6-12) Tuition-free public secondary education for grades 6-12, combining a traditional middle school model for grades 6-8 with an intentionally small (~400 students) open-enrollment high school for grades 9-12. Designed to build meaningful student-staff relationships and provide intentional paths to graduation for first-generation college students.
• Concurrent Enrollment Program Partnership with Community College of Aurora and Pickens Technical College that allows students to earn college credit and career certifications before graduation. Students can graduate with an Associate's Degree alongside their high school diploma through this program.
• ASCENT Program Allows qualifying students to receive free college classes after completing high school graduation requirements, extending the college credit pathway into a post-secondary year at no cost.
• Life Skills Classroom Center-based classroom supporting students with special needs. One of two center-based specialized classrooms offered at AWCPA.
• Affective Needs Classroom Center-based classroom supporting students with social-emotional and behavioral needs. One of two center-based specialized classrooms offered at AWCPA.
• Community Schools Program Community-centered approach supporting student and family needs through partnerships with 21+ local organizations. Includes mental health support, mentorship programs, youth organizations, family resources, and ELL/immigrant services.
• Student Leadership Council High school leadership organization with class officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) and grade-level sponsors, focused on honesty, loyalty, safety, and respect.
• Middle School Athletics Athletic programs for grades 6-8 including Fall (Track, Wrestling, Girls Soccer), Winter (Volleyball, Boys Basketball), and Spring (Girls Swimming, Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer) seasons.
• High School Athletics Athletic programs for grades 9-12 including Boys Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Cross Country (Fall); Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball (Winter); Boys Volleyball, Girls Soccer (Spring); and Spirit (Year-Long). Additional sports available through Aurora Central include Football, Girls Softball, Girls Swimming, Baseball, Girls Golf, Girls Tennis, and Track & Field.
• Gifted & Talented Education Specialized programming for gifted and high-potential students. Students may be identified for services including High Potential Talent Pool, Multi-Exceptional (2e/3e) support, and Talent Area programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can earn an Associate's Degree upon high school graduation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Community College of AuroracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership allowing students to earn college credit while in high school. Students can earn an Associate's Degree upon high school graduation through this partnership.
• Pickens Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer and technical education partnership providing students with important career skills before graduation. Part of school's intentional paths to graduation focused on college or career readiness.
• Apprentice of Peace Youth OrganizationsupportingOthersCommunity partner providing youth development and support services to AWCPA students.
• Aurora Mental HealthsupportingOthersMental health services partnership supporting student emotional wellness.
• Big Brothers Big SisterssupportingOthersYouth mentoring organization providing mentors to support student success.
• Fully Liberated YouthsupportingOthersCommunity organization supporting youth development and empowerment.
• Lutheran Family ServicessupportingOthersProvides social services and family support resources.
• Make a Chess MoveminorOthersChess education program offering after-school enrichment activities.
• Soccer Without BordersminorOthersInternational soccer program using soccer as a vehicle for positive youth development.
• TRIO CCAsupportingOthersFederal TRiO program providing college access and success services for low-income, first-generation college students.
• Village InstitutesupportingOthersEducational support organization providing resources to AWCPA community.
• Young Men of Purpose (YMOP)supportingOthersMale youth mentorship and development program.
• Youth on RecordminorOthersArts education organization providing music and creative programming.
• SECORminorOthersCommunity services organization supporting families in need.
• Precious ChildsupportingOthersOrganization providing resources and support to children and families.
• Minds Matter ColoradosupportingOthersCollege preparation program connecting students with mentors and resources.
• Aurora Community ConnectionssupportingOthersLocal organization connecting Aurora residents with community resources.
• Above and Beyond LearningminorOthersEducational support and enrichment services.
• Spring InstitutesupportingOthersOrganization providing language and cultural services to immigrant communities.
• Women's WildernessminorOthersOutdoor adventure and leadership program for girls and women.
• YAASPAminorOthersYouth and education support organization.
• Second Chance BikesminorOthersBike repair and workforce development program.
• Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA)supportingOthersVisual arts organization providing creative education opportunities.

Scale indicators5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Aurora Central High School: APS comprehensive high school hosting additional athletic programs that AWCPA students access. Comparable as a same-district peer sharing the same Title 1-style demographics and concurrent enrollment pathways.
• Rangeview High School: Comprehensive public high school in Aurora Public Schools serving grades 9-12 with a similarly diverse student body. Comparable as a district peer competing for the same open-enrollment applicants and operating under the same APS funding and policy framework.
• William Smith High School: Aurora Public Schools alternative education campus in the magnet/choice track. Comparable as another APS choice option serving non-traditional student populations with wraparound supports.
• Hinkley High School: Aurora Public Schools comprehensive high school serving grades 9-12 with diverse demographics. Directly comparable as an APS district peer for student recruitment, dual enrollment offerings, and community-school-style programming.
• Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy: APS magnet/choice school with a specialized college and career readiness theme. Comparable as a same-district choice school competing for families seeking non-traditional public school pathways.
• Vista PEAK Preparatory: Sister magnet/choice school within Aurora Public Schools serving grades 9-12 with a college-preparatory focus. Directly comparable as another open-enrollment, college-focused public high school under the same district governance and funding model.

Broad incumbents

• DSST Public Schools: Denver-area public charter network known for STEM-focused college prep and high ELL/immigrant enrollment. Comparable as an incumbent network operating multiple college-prep campuses with similar demographics and dual enrollment pathways.
• KIPP Colorado Public Schools: Regional KIPP charter network operating college-preparatory public schools in the Denver metro with a similar mission of serving first-generation and high-poverty students through extended supports. Comparable as a broader incumbent pursuing the same college-readiness-for-all mission across multiple sites.

Others

• Community College of Aurora: Core dual-enrollment partner that provides college credit and the Associate's Degree pathway for AWCPA students. Comparable as an enabling ecosystem partner rather than a competitor; its continued participation is central to AWCPA's value proposition.

Regional players

• University Prep Schools: Denver-based public charter network serving grades K-12 with a college-preparatory mission for diverse student populations. Comparable as a regional college-prep operator focused on similar student demographics and outcomes, though serving the adjacent Denver market rather than Aurora directly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AWCPA
• Instagraminstagram.com/awcpa_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/aurora-west-college-preparatory-academy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aurora West College Preparatory Academy