Average
#5867 of 8,547 schools in TX
Thornton EL
Elementary School · TEMPLE ISD
2825 COTTONWOOD LN, Temple, TX 76502
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Temple
#17 of 22
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#2,903 of 4,678
In district
#12 of 15
TEMPLE ISD
About Thornton EL
Thornton Elementary serves students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Temple, a small city in Bell County. The school enrolls 740 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, supported by 43 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Thornton is currently working to improve student achievement.
With a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.4 out of 10 and a state ranking in the 31st percentile, the school has room for academic growth. In reading and language arts, about 29 percent of students perform at proficient or above levels, while math proficiency sits at around 28 percent across grade levels. These results suggest the school is focused on strengthening foundational skills for its diverse learner population.
As a regular public school in Temple, Thornton serves the broader community and continues working to support student development and academic progress. Families considering Thornton may want to connect directly with the school to learn more about specific academic programs and support systems in place to help students succeed.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Thornton EL 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 EL — Students at Thornton EL score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX 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: 6.9/10.
How Thornton EL Compares
See how Thornton EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 23% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 26% (2021).
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 RAYE-ALLEN EL (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHARTER OAK EL (rated 7.1/10, 3.8 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 | 5.5 |
| SCOTT EL Temple | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| ST FRANCIS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Temple | 1.2 mi | — |
| BONHAM MIDDLE Temple | 1.3 mi | 8.6 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| WESTERN HILLS EL Temple | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| RAYE-ALLEN EL Temple | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| FRED W EDWARDS ACADEMY AEC Temple | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Temple | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| TEMPLE H S Temple | 2.9 mi | 7.3 |
| CENTRAL TEXAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Temple | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| KENNEDY-POWELL EL Temple | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| WHEATLEY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION CENTER Temple | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Temple | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
| MERIDITH-DUNBAR EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMY Temple | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| CHARTER OAK EL Temple | 3.8 mi | 7.1 |
| LAMAR MIDDLE Temple | 4.1 mi | 7.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thornton EL has a median household income of $80,504. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $252,100, with a median rent of $1,411/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| ANNETTA EL Aledo, TX | 5.5 |
| ARCADIA PARK EL Dallas, TX | 5.5 |
| ARNOLDO CANTU SR EL San Juan, TX | 5.5 |
| BANE EL Houston, TX | 5.5 |
| BANG EL Houston, TX | 5.5 |
| CASEY EL Austin, TX | 5.5 |
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 is ranked #5867 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Thornton EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton EL has a composite rating of 5.5 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 EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornton EL has 28.5% math proficiency and 29.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,695/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Temple). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (254) 215-5700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
TEMPLE ISD- District Enrollment
- 8,784
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,629
- District Rank
- #12 of 15
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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.