Below Average
#1425 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
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,425 of 1,815
In Thornton
#25 of 39
public schools
In district
#34 of 53
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
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Mcelwain Elementary School
Elementary School in Thornton · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Coronado Hills Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New America School - Thornton
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mcelwain Elementary School
Mcelwain Elementary School is a public elementary school in Thornton, CO, part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Mcelwain Elementary School serves approximately 358 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Mcelwain Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,425 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Mcelwain Elementary School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 5.8
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
61% of students at Mcelwain 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
Mcelwain Elementary School — Students at Mcelwain Elementary School score 11% 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 30 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: 5.8/10.
How Mcelwain Elementary School Compares
See how Mcelwain Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Star Elementary School (rated 5.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Thornton Elementary School (rated 5.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 4.8 |
| New America School - Thornton Thornton | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Monterey Community School Denver | 0.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Welby Community School of the Arts Denver | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Thornton Elementary School Thornton | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| A CHILD'S TOUCH Thornton | 1.0 mi | — |
| Academy High School Thornton | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Clayton Partnership School Thornton | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Achieve Academy Thornton | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Thornton Middle School Thornton | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Thornton High School Thornton | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton | 1.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Mapleton Early Career Preparation Thornton | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Preschool on Poze Thornton | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| North Star Elementary School Denver | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| York International Thornton | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Adventure Elementary Denver | 1.3 mi | 3.2 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Avery/Parsons Elementary School Buena Vista, CO | 4.8 |
| Blue Heron Elementary School Littleton, CO | 4.8 |
| Centennial Elementary School Evans, CO | 4.8 |
| Centennial Elementary School Broomfield, CO | 4.8 |
| Clayton Partnership School Thornton, CO | 4.8 |
| Cole Arts and Science Academy Denver, CO | 4.8 |
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 ranks #1,425 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Mcelwain Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcelwain Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Mcelwain Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcelwain Elementary School has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 61.2%
- Phone
- (720) 972-5500
Resources & Links
District
Adams 12 Five Star Schools- District Enrollment
- 34,998
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,748
- District Rank
- #34 of 53
Other Schools in This District
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