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Excellent

#288 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 16% 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

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#288 of 1,815

In Thornton

#3 of 39

public schools

In district

#5 of 53

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Stem Launch

8.1/10

Elementary School in Thornton · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Federal Heights Elementary School

5.6/10

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

North Mor Elementary School

5.3/10

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

About Stem Launch

Stem Launch is a public elementary school in Thornton, CO, part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Stem Launch serves approximately 748 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Stem Launch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #288 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Stem Launch show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.8
  • CO avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.02 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.9% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.8% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,748
Chronic Absenteeism29.7%

Stem Launch — Students at Stem Launch score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 22.4% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
37.4% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 31.2% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
45.5% (2025 CMAS)

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2012
Math
37%
ELA
39%
2013
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
21%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
14%
2025
Math
22.8%
ELA
36%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Stem Launch Compares

See how Stem Launch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
84th percentile in CO
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.7%

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

9450 PECOS STREET, Thornton, CO 80260

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stem Launch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Crown Pointe Charter Academy (rated 7.9/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Westminster), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sherrelwood Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Denver), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Metropolitan Arts Academy (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Denver), a more accessible option. 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 5.6
North Mor Elementary School Northglenn 0.8 mi 5.3
Hillcrest Elementary School Northglenn 1.0 mi 3.8
Northglenn High School Northglenn 1.0 mi 5.8
North Star Elementary School Denver 1.1 mi 5.2
The Pinnacle Charter School Federal Heights 1.3 mi 4.7
Westview Elementary School Northglenn 1.5 mi 4.8
Sunset Ridge PK-8 Westminster 1.3 mi 5.3
Thornton High School Thornton 1.3 mi 4.6
Sherrelwood Elementary School Denver 1.7 mi 7.6
Crown Pointe Charter Academy Westminster 1.5 mi 7.9
Metropolitan Arts Academy Denver 1.7 mi 6.5
Vantage Point Northglenn 1.8 mi 4.0
Rocky Mountain Elementary School Westminster 1.5 mi 4.6
Thornton Middle School Thornton 1.5 mi 4.0
Mesa Elementary School Westminster 1.6 mi 5.3
New America School - Thornton Thornton 1.7 mi 4.4
Thornton Elementary School Thornton 1.6 mi 5.0
The Studio School Northglenn 1.8 mi 4.7
John E. Flynn A Marzano Academy Westminster 1.9 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eaton Elementary School Eaton, CO 8.1
High Plains School Loveland, CO 8.1
Pioneer Bilingual Elementary School Lafayette, CO 8.1
Prospect Valley Elementary School Wheat Ridge, CO 8.1
Riffenburgh Elementary School Fort Collins, CO 8.1
Sabin World School Denver, CO 8.1

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 ranks #288 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Stem Launch's MySchoolScout rating?

Stem Launch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Stem Launch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Stem Launch has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.7%

District

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

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