Average
#790 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 44% in state
Thornton High School
High School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools
9351 WASHINGTON STREET, Thornton, CO 80229
Enrollment
1,416
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,416
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Thornton
#8 of 39
public schools
Colorado high schools
#154 of 403
In district
#14 of 53
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
About Thornton High School
Thornton High School serves 1,416 students in grades 9-12 in the suburban community of Thornton, Colorado. Located at 9351 Washington Street in Adams County, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1 with 83 full-time equivalent teachers. The school faces academic challenges, with 11% of students scoring proficient or above in math across grade levels.
Currently ranked #1701 out of 1831 Colorado high schools, Thornton High School has significant room for academic growth as it works to support its large student body. The school draws from ZIP code 80229, a diverse suburban area where the median household income is $74,420 and median home value reaches $349,600. The surrounding community of nearly 56,000 residents reflects a working-class neighborhood, with 18% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 9.6%.
As a regular public high school, Thornton High School serves families seeking education options within Adams County's suburban landscape. The school's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger high schools in the area, providing students with the resources and peer connections that come with a sizable institution in Colorado's growing northern suburbs.
Score Breakdown
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Thornton High School — Students at Thornton High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Thornton High School Compares
See how Thornton High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 11% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 28% (2021).
Location
9351 WASHINGTON STREET, Thornton, CO 80229
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. New America School - Thornton (rated 6.0/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Northglenn High School (rated 5.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), a more accessible option. Additionally, North Valley School for Young Adults (rated 4.9/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thornton Middle School Thornton | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Thornton Elementary School Thornton | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| New America School - Thornton Thornton | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| North Mor Elementary School Northglenn | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| McElwain Elementary School Thornton | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| North Star Elementary School Denver | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| A CHILD'S TOUCH Thornton | 1.0 mi | — |
| Northglenn High School Northglenn | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Achieve Academy Thornton | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Coronado Hills Elementary School Thornton | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| York International Thornton | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| The Studio School Northglenn | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Preschool on Poze Thornton | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Academy High School Thornton | 1.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Clayton Partnership School Thornton | 1.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Monterey Community School Denver | 1.4 mi | 3.0 |
| STEM Launch Thornton | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| The Pinnacle Charter School Federal Heights | 1.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton | 1.4 mi | 3.2 |
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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Chatfield High School Littleton, CO | 6.7 |
| Discovery Canyon Campus High School Colorado Springs, CO | 6.7 |
| Douglas County High School Castle Rock, CO | 6.7 |
| Thompson Valley High School Loveland, CO | 6.7 |
| Pine Creek High School Colorado Springs, CO | 6.8 |
| Skyline High School Longmont, CO | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thornton High School
What grades does Thornton High School serve?
Thornton High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Thornton High School?
Thornton High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,416 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornton High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thornton High School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thornton High School rank in CO?
Thornton High School is ranked #790 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Thornton High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Thornton High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornton High School has 9.7% math proficiency and 27.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thornton High School a charter school?
No, Thornton High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thornton High School a Title I school?
No, Thornton High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornton High School?
80.7% of students at Thornton 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 44 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 30 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 32 Somewhat 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,416
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 83
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Adams County
- Phone
- (720) 972-4800
- 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
- #14 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
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