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Average

#1310 of 1,815 schools in CO

Cherry Drive Elementary School

Elementary School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools

11500 CHERRY DRIVE, Thornton, CO 80233

Enrollment

354

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,310 of 1,815

In Thornton

#20 of 39

public schools

In district

#29 of 53

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

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Cherry Drive Elementary School

5.1/10

Elementary School in Thornton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Riverdale Elementary School

4.7/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Lord of Life Lutheran School

4.3/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cherry Drive Elementary School

Cherry Drive Elementary School is a public elementary school in Thornton, CO, part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Cherry Drive Elementary School serves approximately 354 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Cherry Drive Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,310 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Cherry Drive Elementary School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Cherry Drive 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 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.5% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.5% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.4 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,748
Chronic Absenteeism31.1%

Cherry Drive Elementary School — Students at Cherry Drive Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
91%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
63%
ELA
53%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
24%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
17%
2025
Math
32.6%
ELA
28.7%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Cherry Drive Elementary School Compares

See how Cherry Drive Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
28th percentile in CO
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

11500 CHERRY DRIVE, Thornton, CO 80233

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cherry Drive Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hulstrom K-8 (rated 9.1/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably higher. Another option is STEM Lab (rated 7.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Riverdale Elementary School Thornton 0.7 mi 4.7
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thornton 0.9 mi 4.3
Skyview Elementary School Thornton 1.2 mi 5.2
Glacier Peak Elementary School Brighton 1.1 mi 3.3
Woodglen Elementary School Thornton 1.0 mi 4.6
Shadow Ridge Middle School Thornton 1.4 mi 3.3
Stellar Elementary School Thornton 1.6 mi 5.8
Explore Pk-8 Thornton 2.0 mi 3.6
Eagleview Elementary School Thornton 2.4 mi 6.3
FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Thornton 2.4 mi 6.9
Hulstrom K-8 Northglenn 2.0 mi 9.1
West Ridge Elementary Thornton 2.4 mi 6.6
EASTLAKE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Thornton 2.3 mi
STEM Lab Northglenn 2.1 mi 7.7
Tarver Elementary School Thornton 2.6 mi 5.9
Leroy Elementary Northglenn 2.3 mi 3.9
Horizon High School Brighton 2.9 mi 7.2
Bright Horizons Preschool Thornton 2.9 mi 3.5
Malley Drive Elementary School Northglenn 2.3 mi 3.9
Meadow Community School Thornton 2.9 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80233 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,132

Median Home Value

$441,300

Median Rent

$1,863/mo

Population

47,692

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

61.3%

Avg Commute

28.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

34.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bricker Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 5.1
Clyde Miller K-8 Aurora, CO 5.1
Glenwood Springs Elementary School Glenwood Springs, CO 5.1
Ignacio Elementary School Ignacio, CO 5.1
Kathryn Senor Elementary School New Castle, CO 5.1
Las Animas Elementary School Las Animas, CO 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cherry Drive Elementary School

What grades does Cherry Drive Elementary School serve?

Cherry Drive Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cherry Drive Elementary School?

Cherry Drive Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 354 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherry Drive Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cherry Drive Elementary School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cherry Drive Elementary School rank in CO?

Cherry Drive Elementary School ranks #1,310 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Cherry Drive Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherry Drive Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Cherry Drive Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cherry Drive Elementary School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cherry Drive Elementary School a charter school?

No, Cherry Drive Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cherry Drive Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Cherry Drive Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cherry Drive Elementary School?

57.3% of students at Cherry Drive 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
18 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
354
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Adams County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.1%

District

Adams 12 Five Star Schools
District Enrollment
34,998
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,748
District Rank
#29 of 53

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