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Needs Improvement

#1767 of 1,815 schools in CO

Academy High School

High School · Mapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St

8970 YORK ST, Thornton, CO 80229

Enrollment

415

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

3.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thornton

#36 of 39

public schools

Colorado high schools

#394 of 403

In district

#13 of 18

Mapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St

About Academy High School

Academy High School is a regular public high school located in Thornton, Colorado, within Adams County. Situated at 8970 York Street, the school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 415 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1, Academy High School provides personalized attention to its students through its dedicated staff of 22 full-time equivalent teachers.

Academically, the school is focused on continuous improvement with room for growth. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, it currently ranks at 2.5 out of 10, placing it in the 5th percentile among Colorado schools. In terms of proficiency scores, 37% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while only 10% are proficient or above in Math.

Despite these challenges, Academy High School remains committed to student development and strives to provide a supportive learning environment for its diverse community of learners. The school is set in a large suburban area, offering a blend of urban conveniences and residential comfort.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,143

Academy High School — Students at Academy High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
2.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.2/10.

How Academy High School Compares

See how Academy High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in CO
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

8970 YORK ST, Thornton, CO 80229

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Academy High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mapleton Early Career Preparation (rated 6.9/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thornton High School (rated 6.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New America School - Thornton (rated 6.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Clayton Partnership School Thornton 0.0 mi 3.2
Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton 0.1 mi 3.2
North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton 0.1 mi 4.9
Mapleton Early Career Preparation Thornton 0.1 mi 6.9
Preschool on Poze Thornton 0.4 mi 5.6
Achieve Academy Thornton 0.4 mi 4.9
Monterey Community School Denver 0.4 mi 3.0
A CHILD'S TOUCH Thornton 0.4 mi
York International Thornton 0.6 mi 5.5
Coronado Hills Elementary School Thornton 0.9 mi 6.4
Meadow Community School Thornton 0.8 mi 4.7
McElwain Elementary School Thornton 0.9 mi 5.1
Thornton Elementary School Thornton 1.0 mi 5.9
New America School - Thornton Thornton 1.0 mi 6.0
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver 1.3 mi 6.4
Thornton Middle School Thornton 1.2 mi 4.5
Thornton High School Thornton 1.3 mi 6.7
Explore Pk-8 Thornton 1.8 mi 6.1
Welby Community School of the Arts Denver 1.6 mi 2.5
Leroy Elementary Northglenn 2.3 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80229 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,450

Median Home Value

$382,900

Median Rent

$1,719/mo

Population

57,274

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

32.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Academy High School has a median household income of $83,450. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $382,900, with a median rent of $1,719/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Jefferson Academy High School Broomfield, CO 3.6
Paragon Learning Center Pueblo, CO 3.7
Gunnison High School Gunnison, CO 3.8
Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton, CO 3.2
Bennett High School Bennett, CO 3.1
Colorado Early Colleges Aurora Aurora, CO 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Academy High School

What grades does Academy High School serve?

Academy High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Academy High School?

Academy High School has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Academy High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Academy High School is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Academy High School rank in CO?

Academy High School is ranked #1767 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Academy High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Academy High School has a composite rating of 3.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Academy High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Academy High School has 10.5% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Academy High School a charter school?

No, Academy High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Academy High School a Title I school?

No, Academy High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Academy High School?

74.2% of students at Academy High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,129/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Thornton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Adams County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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