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Below Average

#6945 of 8,552 schools in TX

Thornton EL

Elementary School · TEMPLE ISD

2825 COTTONWOOD LN, Temple, TX 76502

Enrollment

740

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#6,945 of 8,552

In Temple

#19 of 22

public schools

In district

#13 of 15

TEMPLE ISD

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Thornton EL

4.6/10

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

Tamra Learning Academy

Nearby

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

Cater EL

4.6/10

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

About Thornton EL

Thornton EL is a public elementary school in Temple, TX, part of TEMPLE ISD. Thornton EL serves approximately 740 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Thornton EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #6,945 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Thornton EL show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.36 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,629
Chronic Absenteeism20.5%

Thornton EL — Students at Thornton EL score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 55.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
68%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
23%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
34.7%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
40%
ELA
45%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Thornton EL Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
19th percentile in TX
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

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

2825 COTTONWOOD LN, Temple, TX 76502

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thornton EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHARTER OAK EL (rated 8.3/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KENNEDY-POWELL EL (rated 6.5/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Temple, see our Temple schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
TAMRA LEARNING ACADEMY Temple 0.8 mi
CATER EL Temple 1.1 mi 4.6
SCOTT EL Temple 1.2 mi 6.1
ST FRANCIS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Temple 1.2 mi
BONHAM MIDDLE Temple 1.3 mi 7.4
MONTESSORI SCHOOLS OF CENTRAL TEXAS(TEMPLE CAMPUS) Temple 1.6 mi
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOLS OF CENTRAL TEXAS Temple 1.6 mi 5.8
TRAVIS SCIENCE ACADEMY Temple 1.7 mi 6.9
WESTERN HILLS EL Temple 1.9 mi 5.4
RAYE-ALLEN EL Temple 2.2 mi 6.1
FRED W EDWARDS ACADEMY AEC Temple 2.2 mi 6.6
ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Temple 2.2 mi 8.4
TEMPLE H S Temple 2.9 mi 6.1
CENTRAL TEXAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Temple 2.9 mi 5.9
KENNEDY-POWELL EL Temple 3.2 mi 6.5
WHEATLEY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION CENTER Temple 2.9 mi 3.2
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Temple 3.6 mi 7.4
MERIDITH-DUNBAR EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMY Temple 3.3 mi 3.5
CHARTER OAK EL Temple 3.8 mi 8.3
LAMAR MIDDLE Temple 4.1 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 76502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,504

Median Home Value

$252,100

Median Rent

$1,411/mo

Population

51,175

College Educated

37.2%

Homeownership

64.5%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

34.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ABBETT EL Garland, TX 4.6
BEAR CREEK EL Houston, TX 4.6
BELL EL Houston, TX 4.6
BEST EL Houston, TX 4.6
BONHAM EL Abilene, TX 4.6
BORMAN EL Denton, TX 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thornton EL

What grades does Thornton EL serve?

Thornton EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Thornton EL?

Thornton EL has an enrollment of approximately 740 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornton EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Thornton EL is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thornton EL rank in TX?

Thornton EL ranks #6,945 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Thornton EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Thornton EL 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 EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thornton EL has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Thornton EL a charter school?

No, Thornton EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thornton EL a Title I school?

No, Thornton EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornton EL?

74.1% of students at Thornton EL 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
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Bell County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

District

TEMPLE ISD
District Enrollment
8,784
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,629
District Rank
#13 of 15

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