The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Math. The lowest is 24% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cherry Drive Elementary School
Cherry Drive Elementary School is a regular public school in Thornton serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. It belongs to the Adams 12 Five Star Schools district.
The school’s student body reflects the broader diversity of its suburban community. There is a substantial share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and the largest racial or ethnic group is Hispanic, followed by a significant white population, with smaller numbers of Asian, Black, multiracial, and American Indian students.
State testing results are available for the most recent school year. In math, about one in three students scored at the proficient or advanced level. In English language arts, the share was slightly lower. At the fifth-grade level, where science is tested, roughly one in four students met the proficiency standard. Participation rates for these assessments met the threshold for reporting. It is worth noting that the school does not serve grade bands that would generate a high school graduation rate, so that metric is not applicable here.
The district’s broader strategic changes were searched for and little of lasting impact was found in publicly available reporting, so this account reflects the school as it stood.
Thornton itself is a large, fast-growing suburban city north of Denver, originally a planned community on farmland and now one of the state’s most populous cities. Its residential character is car-dependent, dominated by single-family neighborhoods and shopping centers such as Larkridge Mall and Thornton Town Center. The city maintains an extensive system of parks and trails, and the RTD N Line commuter rail provides three stations within Thornton, offering a connection to Denver. There is no traditional downtown; civic and school facilities are spread across the suburban landscape. The housing market has seen some softening in values and rents in the most recent period measured, but the area continues to plan for more residential development, as shown by a city housing needs assessment.
Within this context, Cherry Drive Elementary shows academic proficiency rates that are toward the higher end compared to other elementary schools across Adams County districts, though this comparison covers a range of settings and not every local school was included. For a parent, the central academic story is one of moderate to lower overall proficiency, with math performing somewhat better than English language arts. This is not a school where high proficiency is the headline. A parent may want to ask the school about specific programs for students who are not yet meeting benchmarks, or about how the school supports the academic growth of its English learners and students receiving special education services, though data on those populations was not available in this profile.
Cherry Drive is a mid-sized elementary school within a large district. Its setting is a fast-growing suburb with a diverse population. For a family weighing it, the decision is likely shaped less by standout test scores and more by whether the school’s environment, class size, and teaching approach fit a child’s needs. Because the publicly available academic picture is mixed, a visit and a conversation with the principal about academic support and enrichment would be worthwhile before making a choice.
See more original research from School Decision →