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Below Average

#1542 of 1,815 schools in CO

Pathways Future Center

High School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools

550 E. 124TH AVENUE, Thornton, CO 80241

Virtual

Enrollment

423

Student-Teacher

24.9:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thornton

#31 of 39

public schools

Colorado high schools

#344 of 403

In district

#47 of 53

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

About Pathways Future Center

Pathways Future Center is an alternative school located in Thornton, Colorado. Serving students from sixth grade through twelfth grade, the school aims to provide a supportive learning environment for its 423 students with a student-teacher ratio of 24.9:1. The school has 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping each student succeed.

Pathways Future Center’s academic performance shows room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout Rating of 2.7 out of 10 and state ranking of #1707 out of 1831 schools in Colorado. In ELA/Reading, 28% of students are proficient or above, while only 9% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite the challenges reflected in these scores, Pathways Future Center remains committed to student development and offering personalized educational opportunities.

Located in a large suburban area, the school benefits from being part of Adams County, where it can connect with local resources and community support to help students thrive. Pathways Future Center is situated in an area that encourages collaboration between educators, families, and community members to foster positive outcomes for its diverse student population.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Pathways Future Center are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Pathways Future Center is 24.9:1, 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.

Pathways Future Center is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.6Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,222

Pathways Future Center — Students at Pathways Future Center score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 9.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
5%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Pathways Future Center Compares

See how Pathways Future Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
15th percentile in CO
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

550 E. 124TH AVENUE, Thornton, CO 80241

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pathways Future Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Vantage Point (rated 6.0/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mountain Range High School (rated 5.0/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Westminster), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
HOPE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Thornton 0.3 mi
Westgate Community School Thornton 0.4 mi 5.7
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF THORNTON Thornton 0.6 mi 4.2
Silver Hills Middle School Northglenn 0.7 mi 5.5
Mountain Range High School Westminster 0.7 mi 5.0
Hunters Glen Elementary School Thornton 1.2 mi 6.2
Century Middle School Thornton 1.1 mi 5.2
STEM Lab Northglenn 1.2 mi 5.9
Malley Drive Elementary School Northglenn 1.3 mi 5.2
EASTLAKE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Thornton 1.2 mi
Hulstrom K-8 Northglenn 1.4 mi 7.8
Global Village Academy - North Thornton 1.5 mi 6.7
Stukey Elementary School Northglenn 1.6 mi 7.0
Northglenn Middle School Northglenn 1.8 mi 4.7
Five Star Online Academy Thornton 1.5 mi
Arapahoe Ridge Elementary School Westminster 1.7 mi 3.9
HOPE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Broomfield 1.9 mi
Vantage Point Northglenn 2.0 mi 6.0
The Studio School Northglenn 2.2 mi 6.1
FLATIRON'S ACADEMY Westminster 1.7 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80241 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,553

Median Home Value

$502,300

Median Rent

$2,036/mo

Population

33,393

College Educated

41.1%

Homeownership

78.3%

Avg Commute

31.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pathways Future Center has a median household income of $107,553. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $502,300, with a median rent of $2,036/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Crested Butte Secondary School Crested Butte, CO 4.8
Excel Academy Denver, CO 4.8
Florence Jr./Sr. High School Florence, CO 4.8
Highland High School Ault, CO 4.8
Rocky Mountain Prep SMART Denver, CO 4.8
27J Online Academy Brighton, CO 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pathways Future Center

What grades does Pathways Future Center serve?

Pathways Future Center serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Pathways Future Center?

Pathways Future Center has an enrollment of approximately 423 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pathways Future Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Pathways Future Center is 24.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pathways Future Center rank in CO?

Pathways Future Center is ranked #1542 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Pathways Future Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Pathways Future Center has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Pathways Future Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pathways Future Center has 9.0% math proficiency and 28.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pathways Future Center a charter school?

No, Pathways Future Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pathways Future Center a Title I school?

No, Pathways Future Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pathways Future Center?

72.6% of students at Pathways Future Center 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

City Safety
High (3,129/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Thornton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.6%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Adams County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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