Average
#1420 of 1,815 schools in CO
Mcelwain Elementary School
Elementary School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools
1020 DAWSON DRIVE, Thornton, CO 80229
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Thornton
#25 of 39
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#806 of 1,006
In district
#41 of 53
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Mcelwain Elementary School
McElwain Elementary School is a regular public school located in Thornton, Colorado, in Adams County. Situated at 1020 Dawson Drive, the school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 358 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. The dedicated staff includes 26 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to provide quality education within a large suburban setting.
McElwain Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment, though the academic performance currently shows room for improvement according to MySchoolScout’s rating system and state rankings. With an overall rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1665 out of 1831 schools in Colorado (9th percentile), there is clear potential for growth. In terms of proficiency, 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 10% in Math.
While the school faces challenges in test scores, it continues to prioritize student development and community engagement. McElwain Elementary School is part of a large suburban area, offering a variety of resources and activities for families nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Mcelwain Elementary School — Students at Mcelwain Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 8 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: 5.1/10.
How Mcelwain Elementary School Compares
See how Mcelwain Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 12% (2021).
Location
1020 DAWSON DRIVE, Thornton, CO 80229
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mcelwain Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coronado Hills Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Star Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Coronado Hills Elementary School Thornton | 0.3 mi | 6.4 |
| New America School - Thornton Thornton | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Monterey Community School Denver | 0.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Welby Community School of the Arts Denver | 0.9 mi | 2.5 |
| Thornton Elementary School Thornton | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| A CHILD'S TOUCH Thornton | 1.0 mi | — |
| Academy High School Thornton | 0.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Clayton Partnership School Thornton | 0.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Achieve Academy Thornton | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Thornton Middle School Thornton | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Thornton High School Thornton | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton | 1.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Mapleton Early Career Preparation Thornton | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Preschool on Poze Thornton | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| North Star Elementary School Denver | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| York International Thornton | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Adventure Elementary Denver | 1.3 mi | 3.1 |
| Performing Arts School on Broadway Denver | 1.5 mi | — |
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 Mcelwain Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Bear Canyon Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 5.1 |
| Beattie Elementary School Fort Collins, CO | 5.1 |
| Canyon Creek Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.1 |
| Graham Mesa Elementary School Rifle, CO | 5.1 |
| Lowry Elementary School Denver, CO | 5.1 |
| Peyton Elementary School Peyton, CO | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mcelwain Elementary School
What grades does Mcelwain Elementary School serve?
Mcelwain Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Mcelwain Elementary School?
Mcelwain Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 358 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcelwain Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mcelwain Elementary School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mcelwain Elementary School rank in CO?
Mcelwain Elementary School is ranked #1420 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Mcelwain Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcelwain Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Mcelwain Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcelwain Elementary School has 9.9% math proficiency and 16.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mcelwain Elementary School a charter school?
No, Mcelwain Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mcelwain Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Mcelwain Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcelwain Elementary School?
91.6% of students at Mcelwain 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.
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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 358
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Adams County
- Phone
- (720) 972-5500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Adams 12 Five Star Schools- District Enrollment
- 34,998
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,748
- District Rank
- #41 of 53
Other Schools in This District
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
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