Serving 1,412 students in grades 9-12, Thornton High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Colorado for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 11% (which is lower than the Colorado state average of 32%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 27% (which is lower than the Colorado state average of 45%).
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Colorado state level of 16:1.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Colorado state average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,412 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 76% (Btm 50% in CO)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 11% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 27% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 5% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
School Overview
Thornton High School's student population of 1,412 students has declined by 17% over five school years.
The teacher population of 75 teachers has declined by 16% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,412 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
75 teachers
Students by Grade
School Calendar
School Rankings
Thornton High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,779 schools in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Thornton High School is 0.47, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1486 out of 1779 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
11%
32%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)5%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
16:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
6%
3%
Hispanic
71%
35%
Black
2%
5%
White
17%
51%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
76%
82%
Eligible for Free Lunch
58%
33%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
16%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thornton High School's ranking?
Thornton High School is ranked #1486 out of 1,779 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Colorado.
What schools are Thornton High School often compared to?
Thornton High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Northglenn High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
11% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 32% CO state average), while 27% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% CO state average).
What is the graduation rate of Thornton High School?
The graduation rate of Thornton High School is 76%, which is lower than the Colorado state average of 82%.
How many students attend Thornton High School?
1,412 students attend Thornton High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
71% of Thornton High School students are Hispanic, 17% of students are White, 6% of students are Asian, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Thornton High School?
Thornton High School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Colorado state average of 16:1.
What grades does Thornton High School offer ?
Thornton High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Thornton High School part of?
Thornton High School is part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools School District.
School Reviews
5 7/8/2020
Good school! They take time with each student when they need it.
5 10/5/2018
Just want to say that I am doing perfectly fine at this school, I've gotten great grades and have not had so called problems with this "horrible" school. Drugs are all a factor of the community the school is surrounded by, there is a risk that students have more exposure to drugs by being in this type of area but you must realize this is at the student's decision. It is in no way the school's fault for the community's faults or flaws. Thornton is a great school and can be represented with the students that have graduated from it. We've had a student go to Brown and another go to MIT. Please realize that just because the community has its flaws does not mean the school does. Their courses are great and our school is not represented by those who are not as polite or by drugs.
2 3/19/2015
Where do I even begin, this school is so horrible. The students the go there are so rude and disrespectful, they have so many problems with drugs, attendance, fighting and much more. My son has been to 4 different high schools because we are constantly moving and when I told my co-workers that my son guys goes there they all tell me they have took there children out of that school, either because of drugs or the attendance. My son has been doing amazing his past three years of high school he is a junior now, he has never been suspended nor expelled but when he came to this school he started to smoke weed, I found out he was doing acid and cocaine, then he got suspended for missing class and I received a letter saying I would have to appear in court if his attendance continued. I immediately took him out and took him to drug classes and we moved out of Thornton and he no longer goes to Thornton High School and he has straight A's and B's and hasn't even 1 class. I just highly recommend if you want to keep your kid on the right path and out of trouble do not go to Thornton High.
Review Thornton High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
This article examines the ongoing debate about drug testing for teachers in public schools. It discusses the rationale behind such policies, privacy concerns, cost implications, and the relatively low prevalence of drug use among educators. The piece also explores future considerations for drug testing policies in educational settings.
Head in the Clouds: Why Public Schools are Embracing Cloud Computing
Explore how public schools are integrating cloud computing into their educational frameworks. Understand the advantages such as enhanced collaboration, cost savings, and accessibility, as well as the challenges schools face in adopting this technology.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
