Skip to main content

Average

#1353 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

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,353 of 1,815

In Thornton

#22 of 39

public schools

In district

#31 of 53

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Thornton Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Thornton Elementary School

5.0/10

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

Thornton Middle School

4.0/10

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

Thornton High School

4.6/10

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

About Thornton Elementary School

Thornton Elementary School is a public elementary school in Thornton, CO, part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Thornton Elementary School serves approximately 372 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Thornton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,353 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Thornton Elementary School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

54% of students at Thornton 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 Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.6% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.1% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-26.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.8 pts
Overall Proficiency13% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,748
Chronic Absenteeism53.5%

Thornton Elementary School — Students at Thornton Elementary School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 25.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.3% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 28.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 33 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
80%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
29%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
14%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
19%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
12%
2025
Math
11.1%
ELA
16.2%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Thornton Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
26th percentile in CO
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
5.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.5%

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

900 EPPINGER BOULEVARD, Thornton, CO 80229

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thornton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Mor Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), with a very similar rating. Another option is North Star Elementary School (rated 5.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Denver), with a very similar rating. Additionally, McElwain Elementary School (rated 4.8/10, 0.9 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 4.0
Thornton High School Thornton 0.3 mi 4.6
New America School - Thornton Thornton 0.4 mi 4.4
A CHILD'S TOUCH Thornton 0.7 mi
McElwain Elementary School Thornton 0.9 mi 4.8
Achieve Academy Thornton 0.7 mi 3.4
York International Thornton 0.9 mi 5.2
Preschool on Poze Thornton 0.9 mi 3.9
North Mor Elementary School Northglenn 0.9 mi 5.3
Coronado Hills Elementary School Thornton 1.2 mi 4.8
North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton 1.0 mi 3.9
Academy High School Thornton 1.0 mi 5.1
Clayton Partnership School Thornton 1.0 mi 4.8
Monterey Community School Denver 1.1 mi 3.1
Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton 1.1 mi 3.8
Mapleton Early Career Preparation Thornton 1.1 mi 6.0
North Star Elementary School Denver 1.2 mi 5.2
Northglenn High School Northglenn 1.5 mi 5.8
Explore Pk-8 Thornton 1.5 mi 3.6
The Studio School Northglenn 1.7 mi 4.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Academia Ana Marie Sandoval Denver, CO 5.0
Crystal River Elementary School Carbondale, CO 5.0
Eagle Valley Elementary School Eagle, CO 5.0
Eiber Elementary School Lakewood, CO 5.0
Ellis Elementary School Denver, CO 5.0
Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction, CO 5.0

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 ranks #1,353 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Thornton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thornton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Thornton Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thornton Elementary School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.5%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.