York International

York International is an alternative K-12 school in Thornton, Colorado, serving 776 students in the Mapleton School District No. 1. Despite serving a high-poverty population—roughly 73.5% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—and sitting in a district ranked near the bottom of Colorado, York posts graduation, dropout, and attendance numbers that beat both its district and the state. The 2024-25 graduation rate was 86.6%, compared to 78.9% for the district and 85.6% statewide. The dropout rate was just 1.1% (district: 2.1%; state: 1.6%), and chronic absenteeism was 25.8% (district: 35.6%; state: 28.4%).

Academically, math is York's standout subject. All-grades CMAS math proficiency reached 32.2% in 2025-26, far above the district's 20.3%, and 5th-grade math hit 56%—17 points above the state average. PSAT10 math scores were more than double the district average (32% vs. 14%). English/language arts is more mixed but still ahead of the district: all-grades proficiency is 31.5% vs. 27.7%, with PSAT9 reading/writing at 54% vs. 45% for the district.

Compared to nearby schools, York stands out among high-poverty alternatives. It dramatically outperforms Mapleton Online (graduation 86.6% vs. 42.3%) and beats The Pinnacle Charter School in both ELA (31.5% vs. 16.4%) and math (32.2% vs. 6.7%). Elite charters like Stargate Charter School and Prospect Ridge Academy score higher, but they serve far more affluent populations (10.4% and 5.9% free/reduced lunch vs. York's 73.5%). York's clear weaknesses are science—5th-grade science proficiency is just 9.1% vs. 36.1% statewide—and a noticeable 6th-grade dip in both ELA and math. Still, for a high-poverty alternative school, York delivers impressive results.