Below Average
#1541 of 1,815 schools in CO
Prairie Hills Elementary School
Elementary School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools
13801 GARFIELD PLACE, Thornton, CO 80602
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Thornton
#30 of 39
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#852 of 1,006
In district
#46 of 53
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Equity
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Prairie Hills Elementary School
Prairie Hills Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Thornton, Colorado, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 416 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, Prairie Hills offers a supportive learning environment with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a large suburban area, the school provides a community-focused education experience.
Prairie Hills Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks at #950 among 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it around the 48th percentile. The academic score is 6.6 out of 10, with 49% proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 43% proficiency or above in math across all grade levels. While these scores indicate room for improvement, Prairie Hills continues to focus on student development and growth.
Prairie Hills Elementary School sits in a bustling suburban neighborhood where students benefit from nearby parks, community centers, and other local amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Prairie Hills Elementary School — Students at Prairie Hills Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 3.7/10.
How Prairie Hills Elementary School Compares
See how Prairie Hills Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 43.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 44.55% (2025).
Location
13801 GARFIELD PLACE, Thornton, CO 80602
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Hills Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stellar Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Silver Creek Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eagleview Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tarver Elementary School Thornton | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Thornton | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Rocky Top Middle School Thornton | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Eagleview Elementary School Thornton | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Horizon High School Brighton | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Bright Horizons Preschool Thornton | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Stellar Elementary School Thornton | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Silver Creek Elementary Thornton | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Century Middle School Thornton | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| EASTLAKE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Thornton | 1.7 mi | — |
| Hunters Glen Elementary School Thornton | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Skyview Elementary School Thornton | 2.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Shadow Ridge Middle School Thornton | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thornton | 2.3 mi | 4.3 |
| West Ridge Elementary Thornton | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Stargate Charter School Thornton | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Woodglen Elementary School Thornton | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Westgate Community School Thornton | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF THORNTON Thornton | 2.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Glacier Peak Elementary School Brighton | 2.6 mi | 3.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$146,679
Median Home Value
$639,300
Median Rent
$2,574/mo
Population
42,237
College Educated
43.9%
Homeownership
92.2%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prairie Hills Elementary School has a median household income of $146,679. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $639,300, with a median rent of $2,574/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashley Elementary School Denver, CO | 4.8 |
| Campbell Elementary School Sterling, CO | 4.8 |
| Columbine Elementary School Woodland Park, CO | 4.8 |
| Godsman Elementary School Denver, CO | 4.8 |
| Lena Archuleta Elementary School Denver, CO | 4.8 |
| Liberty Point Elementary School Pueblo West, CO | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Hills Elementary School
What grades does Prairie Hills Elementary School serve?
Prairie Hills Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Prairie Hills Elementary School?
Prairie Hills Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 416 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Hills Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Hills Elementary School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Hills Elementary School rank in CO?
Prairie Hills Elementary School is ranked #1541 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Prairie Hills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Hills Elementary School 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 Prairie Hills Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Hills Elementary School has 43.1% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Hills Elementary School a charter school?
No, Prairie Hills Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Hills Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Prairie Hills Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Hills Elementary School?
31.2% of students at Prairie Hills 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
- 416
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Adams County
- Phone
- (720) 972-8780
- 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
- #46 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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