Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Thornton’s public schools outscore 65% of Colorado districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Thornton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Colorado, not nationally.
From Colorado state tests taken in spring 2022, when 87% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Thornton’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 146 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Thornton’s, its schools beat 42%, lower than their 65% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 45% and 32% statewide; 87% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Adams 12 Five Star Schools spends $15,831 per student and School District 27J $12,959, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Stargate Charter School, Westgate Community School, New America School - Thornton, Frassati Catholic Academy (private), Lord of Life Lutheran School (private) and Eastlake Montessori School (private) are in town. Pathways Future Center, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Thornton’s grade
B+: better than 65% of Colorado school districts, #90 of 159 Colorado towns. Graduation is above the Colorado average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Thornton, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Thornton · depends on your address
Horizon High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,966 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Brighton
Riverdale Ridge High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Thornton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,439 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Thornton · depends on your address
Horizon High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,966 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Brighton
Riverdale Ridge High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Thornton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,439 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Thornton · depends on your address
Horizon High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,966 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Brighton
Riverdale Ridge High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Thornton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,439 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Thornton · depends on your address
Horizon High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,966 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Brighton
Riverdale Ridge High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Thornton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,439 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Thornton runs its own schools through grade 12 (Adams 12 Five Star Schools). From grade PK, students attend the School District 27J, shared with Brighton and Commerce City. Parts of Thornton (8% and 6% of its land) are served by Mapleton School District 1 and Adams County School District 14 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Thornton
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Thornton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Thornton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Thornton | B+ | Adams 12 Five Star Schools PK–12 · School District 27J PK–12 |
| Northglenn | B+ | Adams 12 Five Star Schools |
| Commerce City | C+ | School District 27J PK–12 · Adams County School District 14 PK–12 |
| Broomfield | A− | Adams 12 Five Star Schools PK–12 · Boulder Valley School District RE-2 PK–12 |
| Federal Heights | B+ | Adams 12 Five Star Schools |
| Westminster | A− | Jefferson County School District R-1 PK–12 · Adams 12 Five Star Schools PK–12 |
4 of the 5 neighbors share Adams 12 Five Star Schools with Thornton for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Thornton
42 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Colorado’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Thornton’s schools
Are Thornton’s schools good?
By Colorado’s own tests, yes: the public schools Thornton children attend outscore 65% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #90 of 159 Colorado towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 42%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Thornton in?
Two districts: Adams 12 Five Star Schools runs grades PK–12, and School District 27J runs grades PK–12, shared with Brighton and Commerce City.
Where do Thornton kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Horizon High School, Riverdale Ridge High School and Thornton High School.
What is Thornton’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Adams 12 Five Star Schools graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.
How much does Thornton spend per student?
$15,831 in Adams 12 Five Star Schools and $12,959 in School District 27J (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Thornton?
Yes: Frassati Catholic Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 369 students), Lord of Life Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 135 students) and Eastlake Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 40 students). Thornton also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Thornton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Thornton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Colorado. Stars are from neighbors.