Average
#1035 of 1,815 schools in CO
Explore Pk-8
Elementary School · Mapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St
10310 YORK ST, Thornton, CO 80229
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Thornton
#13 of 39
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#625 of 1,006
In district
#5 of 18
Mapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Explore Pk-8
Explore Pk-8 is a regular public school located in Thornton, Colorado, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 579 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1, the school offers individualized attention to its diverse population. Explore Pk-8 has 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds.
The academic performance at Explore Pk-8 shows room for growth, with an ELA proficiency rate of 34% and a math proficiency rate of 16%. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, placing it in the 36th percentile among Colorado schools based on its state ranking of #1170 out of 1831. Explore Pk-8 sits in a large suburban area, providing students with a comfortable and familiar setting to learn and grow.
The school community is committed to supporting each child’s development and ensuring they have the resources needed for success.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Explore Pk-8 is 20.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Explore Pk-8 — Students at Explore Pk-8 score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 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: 7.6/10.
How Explore Pk-8 Compares
See how Explore Pk-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 19% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
10310 YORK ST, Thornton, CO 80229
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Explore Pk-8 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hulstrom K-8 (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stukey Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Leroy Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Leroy Elementary Northglenn | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| York International Thornton | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Preschool on Poze Thornton | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Northglenn Middle School Northglenn | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Achieve Academy Thornton | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| A CHILD'S TOUCH Thornton | 1.4 mi | — |
| North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Hulstrom K-8 Northglenn | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Thornton Middle School Thornton | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Thornton Elementary School Thornton | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton | 1.7 mi | 3.2 |
| The Studio School Northglenn | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Malley Drive Elementary School Northglenn | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Academy High School Thornton | 1.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Clayton Partnership School Thornton | 1.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Mapleton Early Career Preparation Thornton | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Meadow Community School Thornton | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Woodglen Elementary School Thornton | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| STEM Lab Northglenn | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Stukey Elementary School Northglenn | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
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 Explore Pk-8 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 |
|---|---|
| Colorado Virtual Academy Lakewood, CO | 6.1 |
| Crystal River Elementary School Carbondale, CO | 6.1 |
| Eagle County Charter Academy Edwards, CO | 6.1 |
| Grand Peak Academy Colorado Springs, CO | 6.1 |
| Highline Academy Northeast Denver, CO | 6.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Delta, CO | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Explore Pk-8
What grades does Explore Pk-8 serve?
Explore Pk-8 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Explore Pk-8?
Explore Pk-8 has an enrollment of approximately 579 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Explore Pk-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Explore Pk-8 is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Explore Pk-8 rank in CO?
Explore Pk-8 is ranked #1035 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Explore Pk-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Explore Pk-8 has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Explore Pk-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Explore Pk-8 has 16.2% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Explore Pk-8 a charter school?
No, Explore Pk-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Explore Pk-8 a Title I school?
No, Explore Pk-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Explore Pk-8?
64.2% of students at Explore Pk-8 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 579
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Adams County
- Phone
- (303) 853-1300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St- District Enrollment
- 7,016
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,482
- District Rank
- #5 of 18
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.