Average
#1112 of 1,815 schools in CO
Thornton Elementary School
Elementary School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools
900 EPPINGER BOULEVARD, Thornton, CO 80229
Enrollment
372
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
372
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Thornton
#16 of 39
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#658 of 1,006
In district
#28 of 53
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Thornton Elementary School
Thornton Elementary School is a public elementary school located in the suburban area of Thornton, Colorado. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school houses 372 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, ensuring each child receives personalized attention. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education, Thornton Elementary aims to support its diverse student body.
According to MySchoolScout’s data, Thornton Elementary School has a rating of 3.3 out of 10 and is ranked 1555th out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it in the 15th percentile for state rankings. The academic score of 1.6/10 indicates that there is room for growth in terms of proficiency levels, with only 18% of students meeting or exceeding reading standards and just 10% demonstrating proficiency in math. While test scores suggest areas where improvement is needed, Thornton Elementary remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages student development.
Located in the heart of a large suburban community, the school benefits from its close-knit neighborhood atmosphere, offering a strong sense of community for students and families alike.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Thornton Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Thornton Elementary School — Students at Thornton Elementary School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 11 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: 6.4/10.
How Thornton Elementary School Compares
See how Thornton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 9.55% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 16.13% (2025).
Location
900 EPPINGER BOULEVARD, Thornton, CO 80229
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coronado Hills Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Star Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Denver), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Explore Pk-8 (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thornton Middle School Thornton | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Thornton High School Thornton | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| New America School - Thornton Thornton | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| A CHILD'S TOUCH Thornton | 0.7 mi | — |
| McElwain Elementary School Thornton | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Achieve Academy Thornton | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| York International Thornton | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Preschool on Poze Thornton | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| North Mor Elementary School Northglenn | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Coronado Hills Elementary School Thornton | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Academy High School Thornton | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Clayton Partnership School Thornton | 1.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Monterey Community School Denver | 1.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton | 1.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Mapleton Early Career Preparation Thornton | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| North Star Elementary School Denver | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Northglenn High School Northglenn | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Explore Pk-8 Thornton | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| The Studio School Northglenn | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80229 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,450
Median Home Value
$382,900
Median Rent
$1,719/mo
Population
57,274
College Educated
19.8%
Homeownership
67.7%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
32.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thornton Elementary School has a median household income of $83,450. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $382,900, with a median rent of $1,719/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Cache La Poudre Elementary School Laporte, CO | 5.9 |
| Cory Elementary School Denver, CO | 5.9 |
| Dolores Elementary School Dolores, CO | 5.9 |
| Edwards Elementary School Edwards, CO | 5.9 |
| Global Primary Academy Denver, CO | 5.9 |
| Heritage Heights Academy Centennial, CO | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thornton Elementary School
What grades does Thornton Elementary School serve?
Thornton Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Thornton Elementary School?
Thornton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 372 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornton Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thornton Elementary School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thornton Elementary School rank in CO?
Thornton Elementary School is ranked #1112 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Thornton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Thornton Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornton Elementary School has 10.3% math proficiency and 17.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thornton Elementary School a charter school?
No, Thornton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thornton Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Thornton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornton Elementary School?
87.6% of students at Thornton 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 372
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Adams County
- Phone
- (720) 972-5660
- 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
- #28 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
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.