Thornton El, Arlington TX - Test Scores & Data

Original Research by School Decision on Thornton El

Thornton Elementary is a small public school in Arlington serving about four hundred to eight hundred students across pre-K through sixth grade. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with nearly all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a low-income community where economic hardship is widespread.

The school's state assessment results show persistently low proficiency across math and English language arts. In math, proficiency rates range from very low in grades three and four to modest gains by sixth grade. English language arts shows slightly higher percentages, particularly in fifth grade, but remains below typical district benchmarks. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile when compared to other schools across Tarrant County. Science proficiency data is sparse but similarly low. These numbers indicate students are struggling to meet grade-level standards and suggest the school faces significant instructional challenges.

A substantial share of tested students took the Spanish-language version of the STAAR assessment in grades three and four, pointing to an English learner population that likely represents a large portion of enrollment, though specific English learner counts are not available. The early grades are where literacy and numeracy foundations matter most, and the low outcomes at that level suggest younger students are not solidifying foundational skills.

The school sits within Arlington ISD, which has recently undergone notable shifts. The district launched a free universal pre-K program for all four-year-olds regardless of income, available even to families outside Arlington boundaries. In May 2026, voters approved bond funding for new schools and facility improvements, including a replacement for South Davis Elementary. However, the district faces declining enrollment and has voted to permanently close Blanton Elementary, with officials signaling additional school consolidations are likely ahead. These changes mean attendance zones and class configurations will shift in coming years.

For a family considering Thornton, the key question is whether the school's intensive support systems match the needs of a low-income, language-diverse population in transition. The proficiency numbers are a significant concern; a parent may want to look into further with the school what interventions are underway for reading and math, how the school supports dual-language learners at each grade level, and whether staffing and resources have been prioritized to address the performance gap. The district's structural changes, including bond-funded improvements and potential consolidations, will affect the school's stability and resources over the next several years.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 39%

School 9% · District 16% · ▼ 7 pts below district

▼ 31 pts below state median · ▼ 30 pts below county median

Grade 42%

School 2% · District 13% · ▼ 11 pts below district

▼ 39 pts below state median · ▼ 36 pts below county median

Grade 513%

School 13% · District 17% · ▼ 4 pts below district

▼ 28 pts below state median · ▼ 25 pts below county median

Grade 617%

School 17% · District 36% · ▼ 19 pts below district

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 20 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 319%

School 19% · District 20% · ▼ 1 pts below district

▼ 27 pts below state median · ▼ 26 pts below county median

Grade 423%

School 23% · District 42% · ▼ 19 pts below district

▼ 26 pts below state median · ▼ 22 pts below county median

Grade 525%

School 25% · District 47% · ▼ 22 pts below district

▼ 29 pts below state median · ▼ 23 pts below county median

Grade 621%

School 21% · District 47% · ▼ 26 pts below district

▼ 31 pts below state median · ▼ 32 pts below county median

Science

Grade 510%

School 10% · District 6% · ▲ 4 pts above district

▼ 13 pts below state median · ▼ 7 pts below county median

This schoolARLINGTON ISD, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 4Lower-income21%Higher-income40%19 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income21%Higher-income17%4 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income17%Higher-income17%0 pp gap