Very Good
#547 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 30% in state
Big Thompson Elementary School
Elementary School · Thompson School District R-2J
7702 WEST HIGHWAY 34, Loveland, CO 80538
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#547 of 1,815
In Loveland
#4 of 25
public schools
In district
#6 of 31
Thompson School District R-2J
Equity
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Big Thompson Elementary School
Elementary School in Loveland · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Namaqua Elementary School
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ponderosa Elementary
3.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Big Thompson Elementary School
Big Thompson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Loveland, CO, part of Thompson School District R-2J. Big Thompson Elementary School serves approximately 201 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Thompson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #547 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Big Thompson Elementary School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 6.2
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Big Thompson Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
32% of students at Big Thompson Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Big Thompson Elementary School — Students at Big Thompson Elementary School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.2/10.
How Big Thompson Elementary School Compares
See how Big Thompson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
7702 WEST HIGHWAY 34, Loveland, CO 80538
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Thompson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ponderosa Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Carrie Martin Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 6.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 4.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Loveland, see our Loveland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Namaqua Elementary School Loveland | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Ponderosa Elementary Loveland | 3.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Loveland Classical School Loveland | 4.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Lucile Erwin Middle School Loveland | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Walt Clark Middle School Loveland | 4.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Harold Ferguson High School Loveland | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Sarah Milner Elementary School Loveland | 4.9 mi | 3.8 |
| ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Loveland | 4.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Centennial Elementary School Loveland | 4.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Thompson Valley High School Loveland | 5.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Loveland High School Loveland | 5.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Loveland | 5.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Garfield Elementary School Loveland | 5.5 mi | 6.5 |
| B F Kitchen Elementary School Loveland | 6.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Bill Reed Middle School Loveland | 5.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Laurene Edmondson Elementary School Loveland | 6.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Truscott Elementary School Loveland | 6.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Carrie Martin Elementary School Loveland | 6.7 mi | 6.9 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Loveland | 6.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Thompson Integrated Early Childhood Loveland | 6.3 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80538 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,057
Median Home Value
$472,200
Median Rent
$1,730/mo
Population
49,183
College Educated
42.5%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
43.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Breckenridge Elementary School Breckenridge, CO | 7.4 |
| Global Primary Academy Denver, CO | 7.4 |
| Washington Primary School Rocky Ford, CO | 7.4 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Colorado Springs, CO | 7.5 |
| Indian Peaks Elementary School Longmont, CO | 7.5 |
| Monarch Montessori Denver, CO | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Thompson Elementary School
What grades does Big Thompson Elementary School serve?
Big Thompson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Big Thompson Elementary School?
Big Thompson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 201 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Thompson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Thompson Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Thompson Elementary School rank in CO?
Big Thompson Elementary School ranks #547 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Big Thompson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Thompson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Big Thompson Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Thompson Elementary School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
Is Big Thompson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Big Thompson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Thompson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Big Thompson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Thompson Elementary School?
32.8% of students at Big Thompson Elementary 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 201
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Larimer County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.8%
- Phone
- (970) 613-5600
Resources & Links
District
Thompson School District R-2J- District Enrollment
- 14,907
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,678
- District Rank
- #6 of 31
Other Schools in This District
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