Very Good
#424 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 23% in state
Stem Launch
Elementary School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools
9450 PECOS STREET, Thornton, CO 80260
Enrollment
748
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
748
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Thornton
#1 of 39
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#318 of 1,006
In district
#3 of 53
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Stem Launch
STEM Launch serves kindergarten through eighth grade students in Thornton, a large suburban area of Adams County. The school enrolls 748 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 with 48 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, STEM Launch is working to strengthen core fundamentals.
In English language arts, about 33% of students perform at proficient levels or above, while math proficiency sits at 21% across grade levels. The school's overall academic score reflects room for growth in student achievement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. State-wide, STEM Launch ranks at the 48th percentile among Colorado's schools, placing it around the middle of the state's educational landscape.
With a student population of nearly 750 and a moderate class structure, the school operates in a suburban setting that serves the Thornton community. Families considering STEM Launch should understand that the school is focused on developing foundational skills in reading and math, areas where increased support and attention may help students progress. The school's location in a large suburban area provides access to typical community resources and services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Stem Launch — Students at Stem Launch score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 19 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How Stem Launch Compares
See how Stem Launch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 21.88% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 36.83% (2025).
Location
9450 PECOS STREET, Thornton, CO 80260
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Stem Launch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sherrelwood Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Denver), with a very similar rating. Another option is Metropolitan Arts Academy (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Denver), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mesa Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Westminster), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Heights Elementary School Denver | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| North Mor Elementary School Northglenn | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School Northglenn | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Northglenn High School Northglenn | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| North Star Elementary School Denver | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| The Pinnacle Charter School Federal Heights | 1.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Westview Elementary School Northglenn | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Sunset Ridge PK-8 Westminster | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Thornton High School Thornton | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Sherrelwood Elementary School Denver | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Crown Pointe Charter Academy Westminster | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Metropolitan Arts Academy Denver | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Vantage Point Northglenn | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Rocky Mountain Elementary School Westminster | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Thornton Middle School Thornton | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Mesa Elementary School Westminster | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| New America School - Thornton Thornton | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Thornton Elementary School Thornton | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| The Studio School Northglenn | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| John E. Flynn A Marzano Academy Westminster | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80260 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,929
Median Home Value
$188,200
Median Rent
$1,532/mo
Population
34,861
College Educated
13.9%
Homeownership
61.9%
Avg Commute
30.7 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Stem Launch has a median household income of $62,929. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,200, with a median rent of $1,532/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Coyote Creek Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 7.6 |
| Flagstaff Charter Academy Longmont, CO | 7.6 |
| Global Village Academy Aurora Aurora, CO | 7.6 |
| High Plains School Loveland, CO | 7.6 |
| Inspiration View Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 7.6 |
| Buffalo Ridge Elementary School Castle Rock, CO | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Stem Launch
What grades does Stem Launch serve?
Stem Launch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Stem Launch?
Stem Launch has an enrollment of approximately 748 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Stem Launch?
The student-teacher ratio at Stem Launch is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Stem Launch rank in CO?
Stem Launch is ranked #424 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Stem Launch's MySchoolScout rating?
Stem Launch has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Stem Launch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stem Launch has 20.8% math proficiency and 32.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Stem Launch a charter school?
No, Stem Launch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Stem Launch a Title I school?
No, Stem Launch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stem Launch?
78.2% of students at Stem Launch 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
- Walk Score
- 45 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 33 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 57 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,129/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Thornton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 748
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Adams County
- Phone
- (720) 972-5120
- 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
- #3 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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.