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Below Average

#1451 of 1,815 schools in CO

Riverdale Elementary School

Elementary School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools

10724 ELM DRIVE, Thornton, CO 80233

Enrollment

394

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,451 of 1,815

In Thornton

#26 of 39

public schools

In district

#36 of 53

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

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Riverdale Elementary School

4.7/10

Elementary School in Thornton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cherry Drive Elementary School

5.1/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Lord of Life Lutheran School

4.3/10

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Riverdale Elementary School

Riverdale Elementary School is a public elementary school in Thornton, CO, part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Riverdale Elementary School serves approximately 394 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Riverdale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,451 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Riverdale Elementary School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Riverdale 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 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.4% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.9% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-18.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,748
Chronic Absenteeism32.2%

Riverdale Elementary School — Students at Riverdale Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 43.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
27%
2025
Math
18.3%
ELA
30.1%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Riverdale Elementary School Compares

See how Riverdale Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
20th percentile in CO
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

10724 ELM DRIVE, Thornton, CO 80233

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Riverdale Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hulstrom K-8 (rated 9.1/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably higher. Another option is STEM Lab (rated 7.7/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Cherry Drive Elementary School Thornton 0.7 mi 5.1
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thornton 1.6 mi 4.3
Woodglen Elementary School Thornton 1.5 mi 4.6
Glacier Peak Elementary School Brighton 1.7 mi 3.3
Skyview Elementary School Thornton 1.9 mi 5.2
Shadow Ridge Middle School Thornton 2.1 mi 3.3
Explore Pk-8 Thornton 1.7 mi 3.6
Stellar Elementary School Thornton 2.3 mi 5.8
Meadow Community School Thornton 2.3 mi 3.4
Hulstrom K-8 Northglenn 2.2 mi 9.1
York International Thornton 2.4 mi 5.2
Leroy Elementary Northglenn 2.2 mi 3.9
Preschool on Poze Thornton 2.6 mi 3.9
STEM Lab Northglenn 2.4 mi 7.7
Achieve Academy Thornton 2.7 mi 3.4
North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton 2.8 mi 3.9
Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton 2.8 mi 3.8
Northglenn Middle School Northglenn 2.4 mi 3.2
Mapleton Early Career Preparation Thornton 2.8 mi 6.0
FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Thornton 3.1 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80233 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,132

Median Home Value

$441,300

Median Rent

$1,863/mo

Population

47,692

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

61.3%

Avg Commute

28.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

34.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora, CO 4.7
Cowell Elementary School Denver, CO 4.7
Dupont Elementary School Commerce City, CO 4.7
Eva R Baca Elementary School Pueblo, CO 4.7
Iowa Elementary School Aurora, CO 4.7
Loma Elementary School Loma, CO 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Riverdale Elementary School

What grades does Riverdale Elementary School serve?

Riverdale Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Riverdale Elementary School?

Riverdale Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 394 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverdale Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Riverdale Elementary School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Riverdale Elementary School rank in CO?

Riverdale Elementary School ranks #1,451 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Riverdale Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Riverdale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Riverdale Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Riverdale Elementary School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Riverdale Elementary School a charter school?

No, Riverdale Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Riverdale Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Riverdale Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Riverdale Elementary School?

67.8% of students at Riverdale 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Adams County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.2%

District

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

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