Needs Improvement
#1707 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
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,707 of 1,815
In Thornton
#35 of 39
public schools
In district
#14 of 18
Mapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St
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Explore Pk-8
Elementary School in Thornton · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Leroy Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
York International
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Explore Pk-8
Explore Pk-8 is a public elementary school in Thornton, CO, part of Mapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St. Explore Pk-8 serves approximately 579 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Explore Pk-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,707 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Explore Pk-8 show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.7
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Explore Pk-8 runs 20.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
34% of students at Explore Pk-8 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
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 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: 2.6/10.
How Explore Pk-8 Compares
See how Explore Pk-8 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
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 9.1/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably higher. Another option is STEM Lab (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stukey Elementary School (rated 5.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably 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 | 3.9 |
| York International Thornton | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Preschool on Poze Thornton | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Northglenn Middle School Northglenn | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Achieve Academy Thornton | 1.4 mi | 3.4 |
| A CHILD'S TOUCH Thornton | 1.4 mi | — |
| North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Hulstrom K-8 Northglenn | 1.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Thornton Middle School Thornton | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Thornton Elementary School Thornton | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| The Studio School Northglenn | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Malley Drive Elementary School Northglenn | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Academy High School Thornton | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Clayton Partnership School Thornton | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Mapleton Early Career Preparation Thornton | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Meadow Community School Thornton | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Woodglen Elementary School Thornton | 1.8 mi | 4.6 |
| STEM Lab Northglenn | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Stukey Elementary School Northglenn | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fairview PK-8 Denver, CO | 3.6 |
| Sunrise Elementary School Aurora, CO | 3.6 |
| Yale Elementary School Aurora, CO | 3.6 |
| AXL Academy Aurora, CO | 3.5 |
| Aragon Elementary School Fountain, CO | 3.7 |
| Belmont Elementary School Pueblo, CO | 3.7 |
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 ranks #1,707 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Explore Pk-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Explore Pk-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Explore Pk-8?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Explore Pk-8 has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.2%
- Phone
- (303) 853-1300
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
- #14 of 18
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