Thornton High School is a high school located in Thornton, Colorado that serves nearly 2,000 students and has approximately 130 staff members.
Serving 1,416 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 33%). 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 17:1 is higher than the Colorado state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Colorado state average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,416 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 78% (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 1,416 students has declined by 16% over five school years.
The teacher population of 83 teachers has declined by 7% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,416 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
83 teachers
Year Founded
1975
Colors
White, Royal blue
School Calendar
School Rankings
Thornton High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,748 schools in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Thornton High School is 0.46, 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
#1464 out of 1748 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
11%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)5%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
8%
3%
Hispanic
72%
36%
Black
2%
5%
White
15%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
78%
82%
Eligible for Free Lunch
69%
39%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
12%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thornton High School's ranking?
Thornton High School is ranked #1464 out of 1,748 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 33% 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 78%, which is lower than the Colorado state average of 82%.
How many students attend Thornton High School?
1,416 students attend Thornton High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
72% of Thornton High School students are Hispanic, 15% of students are White, 8% of students are Asian, 2% of students are Black, 2% of students are Two or more races, 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 17:1, which is higher than the Colorado state average of 15:1.
What grades does Thornton High School offer ?
Thornton High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
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.
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