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Discovery Magnet School

Q: Is Discovery Magnet School a good school?

Discovery Magnet School ranks 302 nd of 946 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-8

302^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 946 Colorado Elementary Schools

Better than 68% of Colorado elementary schools

Summary

Discovery Magnet School is a K-8 public school in Thornton, Colorado, serving 692 students in School District 27J. The school has climbed steadily in statewide rankings, from #370 to #302 out of 943 Colorado elementary and middle schools, placing it in the 68th percentile with a 3-star rating. This is especially notable because School District 27J ranks in the 30th percentile statewide — Discovery significantly outperforms its home district. It also ranks higher than 8 of the 9 nearby comparison schools, with only Silver Creek Elementary ranking higher.

Academically, Discovery beats both its district and the state on most CMAS assessments. In 2025-2026, 51.3% of students were proficient in English Language Arts and 45.8% in math, compared to 34.2% and 26.8% for the district, and 44.7% and 37.3% for the state. Science is a standout: 5th-grade (45.9%) and 8th-grade (44.8%) proficiency both far exceed district and state averages. The school also achieves exceptional results for Hispanic students (top 10% statewide) and economically disadvantaged students (top 5% statewide). Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 13.8% — about half the district rate of 29.7% — and the poverty rate (23.4% free/reduced lunch) is lower than most nearby schools. All of this is accomplished despite a higher student-to-teacher ratio (19:1) than many peers.

There are a few areas worth noting. Gifted and talented students rank in the bottom 12% statewide, suggesting advanced learners may need more support. The school also shows a 4th-grade peak, with dips in 6th-grade math (32.4% vs. 32.7% state) and 7th-grade ELA (42.9% vs. 46.6% state), though scores rebound by 8th grade. Math proficiency has improved steadily over three years (40.7% to 45.8%), while ELA has declined slightly. Overall, Discovery Magnet School is a strong, improving K-8 option that delivers impressive outcomes for many students, especially Hispanic and low-income learners, and is an appealing choice for families who value strong science programs and consistent attendance.

692

Students ?

19.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,132

Per pupil spending ?

23.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4949 E. 147th Ave.
Thornton, CO 80602

(303) 655-6260

District: School District 27J

Racial breakdown:

White:

56.6%

Hispanic:

31.5%

Asian:

5.6%

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Compare Discovery Magnet School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 61st percentile in 2024 → 68th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Colorado average (48% vs 40% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 7 percentile points since 2024

✓Among the top-ranked schools in School District 27J

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school48%

District avg29%

Colorado avg40%

Elementary school

302^nd of 946

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 32%▲ up 7 pts since 2024

From top 39% (2024) to top 32% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

157^th of 476

Colorado public middle schools ?

Top 33%▼ down 2 pts since 2024

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 19Elementary Schools in the School District 27J

79^th of 114School District 27J among Colorado districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	65.5	302 of 946	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	63.5	331 of 950	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.8	370 of 943	60.8%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	58.7	268 of 695	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.2	273 of 694	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.3	374 of 684	45.3%	★★☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	27.9	105 of 120	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	8.0	113 of 119	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	10.9	87 of 91	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	82.9	24 of 251	90.4%	★★★★★
2025	75.3	35 of 247	85.8%	★★★★☆
2024	73.4	43 of 242	82.2%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	88.2	17 of 322	94.7%	★★★★★
2024	56.0	140 of 365	61.6%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	56.6	291 of 697	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.1	292 of 700	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.8	234 of 683	65.7%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	36.7	361 of 547	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.5	365 of 551	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.2	297 of 539	44.9%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	60.5	157 of 476	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	64.8	141 of 469	69.9%	★★★★☆
2024	61.3	148 of 485	69.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	46.5	171 of 368	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	51.6	149 of 347	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.7	106 of 350	69.7%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	19.2	140 of 154	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	44.7	87 of 132	34.1%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	54.4	74 of 208	64.4%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	74.9	39 of 231	83.1%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	62.6	122 of 372	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.2	105 of 352	70.2%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	39.2	169 of 278	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	56.4	107 of 275	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.9	55 of 273	79.9%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)95th percentile+27 vs school

Hispanic (2026)90th percentile+22 vs school

Female (2026)61st percentile-7 vs school

Male (2026)58th percentile-10 vs school

White (2026)34th percentile-34 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)12th percentile-56 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)83rd percentile+16 vs school

Male (2026)67th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)64th percentile-3 vs school

Female (2026)54th percentile-13 vs school

White (2026)39th percentile-28 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)9th percentile-58 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts51%+7 vs state

Math46%+8 vs state

Science45%+10 vs state

★

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Schools Near Discovery Magnet School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CMAS English Language Arts (2026)							CMAS Math (2026)							CMAS Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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 6th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Math 3rd Grade	CMAS Math 4th Grade	CMAS Math 5th Grade	CMAS Math 6th Grade	CMAS Math 7th Grade	CMAS Math 8th Grade	CMAS Math All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	CMAS Science 8th Grade	Total
Discovery Magnet School	Public	K-8	4949 E. 147th Ave.	Thornton	80602	Adams County	School District 27J	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(303) 655-6260	692	36	19.0	23.4%	392 (56.6%)	11 (1.6%)	218 (31.5%)	39 (5.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (4.5%)	65.5	302^nd of 946 public elementary schools	68.1%		63.5	331^st of 950 public elementary schools	65.2%	29	48.1	65.4	52.7	50.0	42.9	47.0	51.3	46.8	60.3	43.2	32.4	45.7	45.5	45.8	45.9	44.8	$13,132
Prairie Hills Elementary School	Public	K-5	13801 Garfield Place	Thornton	80602	Adams County	Adams 12 Five Star Schools	No	No	No	No	(720) 972-8780	378	22	17.5	30.2%	215 (56.9%)	3 (0.8%)	96 (25.4%)	38 (10.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	25 (6.6%)	59	366^th of 946 public elementary schools	61.3%		57.1	391^st of 950 public elementary schools	58.8%	25	47.5	49.3	56.7				51.1	50.8	40.6	44.3				45.0	37.7		$18,473
Silver Creek Elementary	Public	K-5	15101 Fillmore Stre	Thornton	80602	Adams County	Adams 12 Five Star Schools	No	No	No	No	(720) 972-3941	538	30	17.9	19.7%	336 (62.5%)	6 (1.1%)	118 (21.9%)	40 (7.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (7.1%)	75.8	213^th of 946 public elementary schools	77.5%		77.7	202^nd of 950 public elementary schools	78.7%	11	51.0	63.4	67.4				60.4	41.7	58.1	64.4				54.3	54.1		$16,407
Eagleview Elementary School	Public	K-5	4601 Summit Grove Parkway	Thornton	80241	Adams County	Adams 12 Five Star Schools	No	No	No	No	(720) 972-5760	451	27	16.7	39.2%	219 (48.6%)	6 (1.3%)	170 (37.7%)	32 (7.1%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	20 (4.4%)	47.5	451^st of 946 public elementary schools	52.3%		58.4	376^th of 950 public elementary schools	60.4%	75	43.2	54.8	44.0				47.3	45.2	42.9	29.7				39.3	24.7		$17,223
Tarver Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3500 Summit Grove Parkway	Thornton	80241	Adams County	Adams 12 Five Star Schools	No	No	No	No	(720) 972-5640	475	22	21.2	37.5%	239 (50.3%)	9 (1.9%)	147 (30.9%)	37 (7.8%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	38 (8.0%)	48.6	443^rd of 946 public elementary schools	53.2%		48.7	450^th of 950 public elementary schools	52.6%	7	41.9	38.4	47.4				42.2	56.5	46.6	36.8				46.9	19.3		$16,982
West Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	13102 Monaco Street	Thornton	80602	Adams County	School District 27J	No	No	No	No	(720) 685-5300	690	40	17.1	39.0%	298 (43.2%)	12 (1.7%)	243 (35.2%)	98 (14.2%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	36 (5.2%)	44.4	475^th of 946 public elementary schools	49.8%		57.6	387^th of 950 public elementary schools	59.3%	88	45.1	31.6	44.3				40.2	49.1	35.9	43.0				42.5	23.4		$14,636
Brantner Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7800 E. 133rd Avenue	Thornton	80602	Adams County	School District 27J	No	No	No	No	(720) 685-5050	574	35	16.5	40.9%	271 (47.2%)	10 (1.7%)	216 (37.6%)	53 (9.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (3.8%)	57	388^th of 946 public elementary schools	59.0%		58.4	378^th of 950 public elementary schools	60.2%	10	43.8	61.6	60.4				55.3	37.1	54.8	44.0				44.6	25.2		$14,331
Stellar Elementary School	Public	K-5	3901 East 124th Avenue	Thornton	80241	Adams County	Adams 12 Five Star Schools	No	No	No	No	(720) 972-2340	418	25	16.7	67.9%	133 (31.8%)	8 (1.9%)	234 (56.0%)	22 (5.3%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.3%)	35.7	566^th of 946 public elementary schools	40.2%		46.8	472^nd of 950 public elementary schools	50.3%	94	31.4	43.3	48.5				41.0	32.9	29.9	27.7				30.2	28.8		$17,682
Hunters Glen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	13222 Corona Street	Thornton	80241	Adams County	Adams 12 Five Star Schools	No	No	No	No	(720) 972-5440	491	27	17.9	53.0%	206 (42.0%)	7 (1.4%)	217 (44.2%)	25 (5.1%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	33 (6.7%)	38.4	532^nd of 946 public elementary schools	43.8%		42.2	514^th of 950 public elementary schools	45.9%	18	32.0	29.7	45.2				35.8	38.2	25.0	38.7				34.4	38.7		$16,732
Skyview Elementary School	Public	K-5	5021 East 123rd Avenue	Thornton	80241	Adams County	Adams 12 Five Star Schools	No	No	No	No	(720) 972-5620	326	25	13.2	57.7%	119 (36.5%)	14 (4.3%)	161 (49.4%)	17 (5.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.3%)	33.1	588^th of 946 public elementary schools	37.8%		22.1	707^th of 950 public elementary schools	25.6%	119	40.4	25.4	42.9				35.6	34.6	27.1	30.6				30.6	30.6		$20,673

Frequently Asked Questions about Discovery Magnet School

How many students attend Discovery Magnet School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 692 students attended Discovery Magnet School.

What district is Discovery Magnet School in?

School District 27J

What is the racial makeup of Discovery Magnet School?

Students at Discovery Magnet School are 57% White, 32% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 4% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Is Discovery Magnet School a good school?

Discovery Magnet School ranks 302^nd of 946 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Discovery Magnet School!

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Latest Colorado data All new data »

2025–26 CMAS, PSAT10, PSAT9 & SAT test scoresAug 19, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataAug 27, 2025

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.