McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School

Q: Is McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School a good school?

McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School ranks 269 th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 255 students in grades PK-5 in Denver, Colorado, part of the School District No. 1, which is ranked 78 out of 116 districts in the state.

McKinley-Thatcher Elementary consistently outperforms the district and state in academic proficiency, with 55.9% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 53.8% in Math, compared to 40.7% and 31.2% for the district, respectively. The school also has a more diverse student population than nearby schools like Godsman Elementary and Schmitt Elementary, with 60% White, 25.88% Hispanic, and smaller percentages of other races. Additionally, McKinley-Thatcher has a lower percentage of free and reduced-price lunch recipients (35.69%) compared to those nearby schools (over 89%).

Despite serving a more economically diverse population, McKinley-Thatcher Elementary has consistently ranked in the top half of Colorado elementary schools, with a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger, outperforming many of its neighbors like Goldrick Elementary (0 stars) and Schmitt Elementary (0 stars). This suggests the school is employing effective educational strategies to support student learning and achievement across diverse backgrounds.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1230 South Grant Street
Denver, CO 80210-1521

(720) 424-5600

District: School District No. 1

SchoolDigger Rank:
269^th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $18,006

Students who attend McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Grant Beacon Middle School
High:	South High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.9

Number of students: 255

Racial breakdown:

White:

60.0%

Hispanic:

25.9%

Two or more races:

6.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 35.7%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School ranks better than 71.5% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 28^th among 94 ranked elementary schools in the School District No. 1. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 69.5. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the School District No. 1. (See more...)

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School is $18,006. 55 elementary schools in the School District No. 1 spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

School District No. 1:

SchoolDigger ranks School District No. 1 78^th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School.

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Rank History for McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CO State Percentile
2004	48.73	450^th	808	44.3%
2005	79.00	149^th	823	81.9%
2006	54.15	416^th	829	49.8%
2007	55.52	427^th	852	49.9%
2008	43.70	531^st	849	37.5%
2009	49.15	484^th	872	44.5%
2010	28.43	699^th	925	24.4%
2011	30.11	701^st	935	25.0%
2012	29.35	693^rd	935	25.9%
2013	43.52	574^th	954	39.8%
2014	47.35	530^th	962	44.9%
2015	47.39	452^nd	938	51.8%
2016	36.71	541^st	914	40.8%
2017	40.42	513^th	929	44.8%
2019	82.69	138^th	965	85.7%
2021	66.03	252^nd	710	64.5%
2022	54.96	392^nd	921	57.4%
2023	65.86	288^th	933	69.1%
2024	69.50	269^th	943	71.5%

See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Excellent neighborhood school! Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, September 8, 2017

We're thrilled with MCT as our neighborhood school. This small, diverse school has a homey feel and the principal, teachers, parents and kids are energetic and genuine. If you're in the neighborhood, I'd really encourage you to stop in and see it in action, regardless of how you think it looks 'on paper'. Our choice to send our kiddo here has been positively reinforced day after day after day - we love it! Close Quote

Enrollment information for McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	127	45	8	60	1	n/a	n/a	241
1989	125	48	2	41	6	n/a	n/a	222
1990	119	42	6	57	4	n/a	n/a	228
1991	130	43	6	56	8	n/a	n/a	243
1992	126	43	5	54	6	n/a	n/a	234
1993	135	43	6	51	10	n/a	n/a	245
1994	156	41	5	68	11	n/a	n/a	281
1995	143	38	7	60	5	n/a	n/a	253
1996	143	38	7	60	5	n/a	n/a	253
1997	132	6	7	42	2	n/a	n/a	189
1998	143	7	6	38	2	n/a	n/a	196
1999	136	11	8	53	2	n/a	n/a	210
2000	129	11	5	47	4	n/a	n/a	196
2001	110	11	7	54	4	n/a	n/a	186
2002	115	5	4	47	6	n/a	n/a	177
2003	115	5	4	47	6	n/a	n/a	177
2004	119	4	1	51	6	n/a	n/a	181
2005	121	7	5	34	5	n/a	n/a	172
2006	127	5	9	44	1	n/a	n/a	186
2007	131	9	5	60	1	n/a	n/a	206
2008	123	10	5	89	0	n/a	n/a	227
2009	123	8	9	86	2	n/a	n/a	228
2010	123	11	8	100	1	n/a	n/a	243
2011	88	14	7	100	3	1	10	223
2012	74	16	6	101	2	1	16	216
2013	57	21	4	90	3	0	7	182
2014	62	14	3	95	2	1	10	187
2015	69	9	2	81	2	0	8	171
2016	87	6	3	72	2	0	12	182
2017	83	7	4	74	2	0	12	182
2018	81	6	4	66	2	0	13	172
2019	111	5	4	69	0	0	12	201
2020	139	7	2	68	1	0	11	228
2021	148	10	5	70	1	0	15	249
2022	134	13	6	58	1	0	16	228
2023	153	9	7	66	3	0	17	255

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	241	13.2	18.2	n/a
1989	222	12.1	18.3	41.9
1990	228	14.3	15.9	46.1
1991	243	13.9	17.4	46.9
1992	234	15.1	15.4	70.9
1993	245	13.1	18.7	46.5
1994	281	13.2	21.3	50.2
1995	253	13.2	19.2	47
1996	253	13.2	19.2	47
1997	189	10.0	18.9	24.9
1998	196	10.6	18.5	26.5
1999	210	10.1	20.8	29.5
2000	196	12.5	15.7	35.7
2001	186	12.0	15.5	31.7
2002	177	9.5	18.6	30.5
2003	177	9.5	18.6	30.5
2004	181	9.7	18.7	29.3
2005	172	9.2	18.7	30.2
2006	186	10.6	17.5	42.5
2007	206	12.5	16.5	45.1
2008	227	12.1	18.8	51.1
2009	228	14.0	16.3	51.8
2010	243	18.0	13.5	57.6
2011	223	16.7	13.3	57.8
2012	216	14.5	14.8	64.8
2013	182	12.5	14.5	55.5
2014	187	14.0	13.3	56.7
2015	171	14.0	12.2	56.7
2016	182	14.0	13.0	46.7
2017	182	15.1	11.9	45.6
2018	172	18.8	9.1	45.3
2019	201	17.3	11.5	37.8
2020	228	17.4	13.0	36.4
2021	249	17.5	14.1	32.1
2022	228	17.1	13.2	32.9
2023	255	17.0	14.9	35.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	241	13.2	18.2	n/a
1989	222	12.1	18.3	41.9
1990	228	14.3	15.9	46.1
1991	243	13.9	17.4	46.9
1992	234	15.1	15.4	70.9
1993	245	13.1	18.7	46.5
1994	281	13.2	21.3	50.2
1995	253	13.2	19.2	47
1996	253	13.2	19.2	47
1997	189	10.0	18.9	24.9
1998	196	10.6	18.5	26.5
1999	210	10.1	20.8	29.5
2000	196	12.5	15.7	35.7
2001	186	12.0	15.5	31.7
2002	177	9.5	18.6	30.5
2003	177	9.5	18.6	30.5
2004	181	9.7	18.7	29.3
2005	172	9.2	18.7	30.2
2006	186	10.6	17.5	42.5
2007	206	12.5	16.5	45.1
2008	227	12.1	18.8	51.1
2009	228	14.0	16.3	51.8
2010	243	18.0	13.5	57.6
2011	223	16.7	13.3	57.8
2012	216	14.5	14.8	64.8
2013	182	12.5	14.5	55.5
2014	187	14.0	13.3	56.7
2015	171	14.0	12.2	56.7
2016	182	14.0	13.0	46.7
2017	182	15.1	11.9	45.6
2018	172	18.8	9.1	45.3
2019	201	17.3	11.5	37.8
2020	228	17.4	13.0	36.4
2021	249	17.5	14.1	32.1
2022	228	17.1	13.2	32.9
2023	255	17.0	14.9	35.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2019	$15,551
2020	$14,556
2021	$14,311
2022	$17,117
2023	$18,006

Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 138^th of 965 Elementary schools	Ranks 288^th of 933 Elementary schools	16.6%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School)	69.6	76.9	7.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (School District No. 1)	39.4	40.1	0.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)	41.3	39.9	1.4%
3rd Grade Math (McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School)	62.5	76	13.5%
3rd Grade Math (School District No. 1)	37.5	36.4	1.1%
3rd Grade Math (Colorado)	41	40.4	0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School)	76.5	37.9	38.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (School District No. 1)	43.6	40.6	3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)	48	43.8	4.2%
4th Grade Math (McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School)	41.2	35.7	5.5%
4th Grade Math (School District No. 1)	31.2	29	2.2%
4th Grade Math (Colorado)	33.6	32.7	0.9%
5th Grade Science (McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School)	52.9	36.4	16.5%
5th Grade Science (School District No. 1)	25.9	26.2	0.3%
5th Grade Science (Colorado)	35.9	33.9	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School)	58.8	59.1	0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (School District No. 1)	42.3	41.2	1.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)	48.4	47.8	0.6%
5th Grade Math (McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School)	52.9	39.1	13.8%
5th Grade Math (School District No. 1)	34.9	33.2	1.7%
5th Grade Math (Colorado)	35.7	36.5	0.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School)	68.4	57.1	11.3%
All Grades English Language Arts (School District No. 1)	42.8	40.3	2.5%
All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)	45.8	43.7	2.1%
All Grades Math (McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School)	53.4	50	3.4%
All Grades Math (School District No. 1)	32.7	30.3	2.4%
All Grades Math (Colorado)	34.7	32.9	1.8%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	201	255	26.9%
African American	5	9	80%
American Indian	0	3
Asian	4	7	75%
Hispanic	69	66	4.3%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	111	153	37.8%
Two or More Races	12	17	41.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	37.8%	35.7%	2.1%

Schools Near McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				CMAS English Language Arts (2024)				CMAS Math (2024)				CMAS Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CMAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Math 3rd Grade	CMAS Math 4th Grade	CMAS Math 5th Grade	CMAS Math All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	Total
McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1230 South Grant Street	Denver	80210	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(720) 424-5600	255	17	14.9	35.7%	153 (60.0%)	9 (3.5%)	66 (25.9%)	7 (2.7%)	3 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (6.7%)	69.5	269^th of 943 public elementary schools	71.5%		65.9	288^th of 933 public elementary schools	69.1%	19	65.2	58.3	34.8	55.9	58.7	54.2	43.5	53.8	31.8	$18,006
Lincoln Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	710 South Pennsylvania Street	Denver	80209	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(720) 424-5990	309	18	17.0	17.5%	221 (71.5%)	10 (3.2%)	48 (15.5%)	4 (1.3%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	24 (7.8%)	93.1	42^nd of 943 public elementary schools	95.5%		78.5	175^th of 933 public elementary schools	81.2%	133	68.4		84.4	67.3	71.1		61.8	52.8	78.8	$16,799
Asbury Elementary School	Public	K-5	1320 East Asbury Avenue	Denver	80210	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(720) 424-9750	271	22	12.2	22.9%	187 (69.0%)	13 (4.8%)	53 (19.6%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.9%)	92.1	53^rd of 943 public elementary schools	94.4%		90.9	65^th of 933 public elementary schools	93.0%	12	73.5	74.4	77.8	75.2	65.7	62.8	61.1	63.2	69.4	$18,687
Steele Elementary School	Public	K-5	320 South Marion Parkway	Denver	80209	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(720) 424-3720	429	28	15.5	10.3%	321 (74.8%)	7 (1.6%)	65 (15.2%)	7 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	28 (6.5%)	95	27^th of 943 public elementary schools	97.1%		95.2	26^th of 933 public elementary schools	97.2%	1	74.4	78.3	84.4	78.6	71.1	65.2	75.0	70.4	70.5	$16,306
Godsman Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2120 West Arkansas Avenue	Denver	80223	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 424-7060	309	19	16.2	91.9%	16 (5.2%)	7 (2.3%)	267 (86.4%)	10 (3.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.6%)	8.7	904^th of 943 public elementary schools	4.1%		11.6	867^th of 933 public elementary schools	7.1%	37			20.7	15.7	11.9	7.9	15.6	11.6	9.4	$18,349
Schmitt Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1820 South Vallejo Street	Denver	80223	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 424-4230	176	19	9.0	94.3%	11 (6.3%)	37 (21.0%)	121 (68.8%)	5 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.1%)								(n/a)				9.1		15.4		10.0	12.5	$24,603
Goldrick Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1050 South Zuni Street	Denver	80223	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 424-6980	326	26	12.6	89.3%	16 (4.9%)	14 (4.3%)	276 (84.7%)	7 (2.1%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.1%)	28.1	636^th of 943 public elementary schools	32.6%		19.8	737^th of 933 public elementary schools	21.0%	101	20.0	20.6	40.0	28.4	29.3	32.1	26.7	29.6	24.4	$20,459
Cory Elementary School	Public	1-5	1550 South Steele Street	Denver	80210	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(720) 424-8380	400	24	16.6	14.8%	280 (70.0%)	13 (3.3%)	40 (10.0%)	21 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (11.5%)	96.1	22^nd of 943 public elementary schools	97.7%		95.5	25^th of 933 public elementary schools	97.3%	3	68.7	77.3	82.2	75.8	75.6	78.4	78.1	77.3	80.6	$16,114
Valverde Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2030 West Alameda Avenue	Denver	80223	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 424-3250	283	23	12.5	88.3%	17 (6.0%)	12 (4.2%)	243 (85.9%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.1%)	6 (2.1%)	6.1	931^st of 943 public elementary schools	1.3%					(n/a)	11.1	17.9	8.1	12.0	10.9			9.2		$20,596
Denver Center for International Studies at Fairmon	Public	PK, KG-5	520 West 3rd Avenue	Denver	80223	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 424-7620	374	29	12.8	56.1%	124 (33.2%)	24 (6.4%)	191 (51.1%)	8 (2.1%)	6 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.6%)	28	637^th of 943 public elementary schools	32.4%		31.8	592^nd of 933 public elementary schools	36.5%	45	31.0	37.8	33.3	34.0	26.7	24.4	23.8	25.2	23.8	$20,894

Frequently Asked Questions about McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School?

Students at McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School are 60% White, 26% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 4% African American, 3% Asian, 1% American Indian.

Is McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School a good school?

McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School ranks 269^th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 255 students attended McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School.

What district is McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School in?

School District No. 1

What schools do graduates of McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School attend?

Students who attend McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Grant Beacon Middle School
High : South High School

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.