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Below Average

#1477 of 1,815 schools in CO

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

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,477 of 1,815

In Thornton

#28 of 39

public schools

In district

#39 of 53

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

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Thornton High School

4.6/10

High School in Thornton · grades 9th – 12th. 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 Elementary School

5.0/10

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

About Thornton High School

Thornton High School is a public high school in Thornton, CO, part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Thornton High School serves approximately 1,416 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Thornton High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,477 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Thornton High School show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • CO avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

63% of students at Thornton High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness6.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate78%
AP Participation6.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,748
Chronic Absenteeism62.8%

Thornton High School — Students at Thornton High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 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
59%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
50%
2013
Math
21%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
16%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
11%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Thornton High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
19th percentile in CO
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.7
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
62.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered IB Programme
6.2% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·619 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·13 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

9351 WASHINGTON STREET, Thornton, CO 80229

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thornton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northglenn High School (rated 5.8/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Northglenn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Academy High School (rated 5.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, New America School - Thornton (rated 4.4/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 4.0
Thornton Elementary School Thornton 0.3 mi 5.0
New America School - Thornton Thornton 0.6 mi 4.4
North Mor Elementary School Northglenn 0.6 mi 5.3
McElwain Elementary School Thornton 1.1 mi 4.8
North Star Elementary School Denver 1.0 mi 5.2
A CHILD'S TOUCH Thornton 1.0 mi
Northglenn High School Northglenn 1.2 mi 5.8
Achieve Academy Thornton 1.1 mi 3.4
Coronado Hills Elementary School Thornton 1.4 mi 4.8
York International Thornton 1.1 mi 5.2
The Studio School Northglenn 1.5 mi 4.7
Preschool on Poze Thornton 1.2 mi 3.9
North Valley School for Young Adults Thornton 1.3 mi 3.9
Academy High School Thornton 1.3 mi 5.1
Clayton Partnership School Thornton 1.3 mi 4.8
Monterey Community School Denver 1.4 mi 3.1
STEM Launch Thornton 1.3 mi 8.1
The Pinnacle Charter School Federal Heights 1.5 mi 4.7
Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts Thornton 1.4 mi 3.8

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
Alameda International Junior/Senior High School Lakewood, CO 4.6
VALOR CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Highlands Ranch, CO 4.5
Aurora West College Preparatory Academy Aurora, CO 4.4
Abraham Lincoln High School Denver, CO 4.8
Central High School Pueblo, CO 4.9
Fort Morgan High School Fort Morgan, CO 4.9

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 ranks #1,477 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Thornton High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thornton High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thornton High School has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
62.8%
4-Year Graduation
78.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

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