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Below Average

#1551 of 1,815 schools in CO

Riverdale Ridge High School

High School · School District 27J

13380 YOSEMITE STREET, Thornton, CO 80602

Enrollment

1,636

Student-Teacher

21.2:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thornton

#32 of 39

public schools

Colorado high schools

#348 of 403

In district

#18 of 31

School District 27J

About Riverdale Ridge High School

Riverdale Ridge High School serves 1,636 students in grades 9-12 in Thornton, Colorado, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 21.2:1 across 77 full-time equivalent teachers. As a regular public school in Adams County, Riverdale Ridge currently faces academic challenges, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranking #1490 out of 1831 Colorado high schools. The school shows room for academic growth, particularly in mathematics where 17% of students score proficient or above across grade levels.

Located on Yosemite Street, the school sits within a well-established community where families demonstrate strong educational values, with 44% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects economic stability, with a median household income of $141,140 and median home values of $603,900, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 4.3%. This affluent ZIP code of 40,886 residents provides a supportive environment for the school community.

Despite current academic performance indicators, Riverdale Ridge operates in a large suburban setting that offers students access to a substantial peer network and the advantages of a sizable high school program. The school serves families in one of Thornton's more prosperous neighborhoods, where community investment in education remains strong.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Riverdale Ridge High School is 21.2:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness8.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation23.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,462

Riverdale Ridge High School — Students at Riverdale Ridge High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
22%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
17%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Riverdale Ridge High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in CO
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers

Location

13380 YOSEMITE STREET, Thornton, CO 80602

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Riverdale Ridge High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Horizon High School (rated 6.1/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Brighton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prairie View High School (rated 4.9/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Henderson), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Rodger Quist Middle School Thornton 0.2 mi 4.8
Brantner Elementary School Thornton 0.8 mi 7.0
West Ridge Elementary Thornton 1.6 mi 5.8
Henderson Elementary School Henderson 2.3 mi 5.8
Glacier Peak Elementary School Brighton 2.5 mi 3.0
Horizon High School Brighton 2.3 mi 6.1
Bright Horizons Preschool Thornton 2.3 mi 5.1
Shadow Ridge Middle School Thornton 2.5 mi 3.5
John W Thimmig Elementary School Henderson 3.0 mi 6.0
Prairie View High School Henderson 2.8 mi 4.9
Belle Creek Charter School Henderson 3.4 mi 3.5
Eagleview Elementary School Thornton 2.7 mi 7.0
ELMWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Brighton 2.8 mi 7.7
Skyview Elementary School Thornton 2.9 mi 4.5
Prairie View Middle School Henderson 3.1 mi 4.3
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thornton 3.3 mi 4.3
FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Thornton 3.2 mi 6.9
Cherry Drive Elementary School Thornton 3.6 mi 6.7
Prairie Hills Elementary School Thornton 3.3 mi 4.8
Stellar Elementary School Thornton 3.4 mi 7.3

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 Riverdale Ridge High 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
Gateway High School Aurora, CO 4.7
Grand Junction High School Grand Junction, CO 4.8
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College Denver, CO 4.6
Colorado Early Colleges Douglas County Parker, CO 4.9
Falcon High School Peyton, CO 4.9
Prairie View High School Henderson, CO 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Riverdale Ridge High School

What grades does Riverdale Ridge High School serve?

Riverdale Ridge High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Riverdale Ridge High School?

Riverdale Ridge High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,636 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverdale Ridge High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Riverdale Ridge High School is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Riverdale Ridge High School rank in CO?

Riverdale Ridge High School is ranked #1551 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Riverdale Ridge High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Riverdale Ridge High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Riverdale Ridge High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riverdale Ridge High School has 19.5% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Riverdale Ridge High School a charter school?

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

Is Riverdale Ridge High School a Title I school?

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

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

39.4% of students at Riverdale Ridge High 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
4 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,129/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,636
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
77
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Adams County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

School District 27J
District Enrollment
23,139
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,854
District Rank
#18 of 31

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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