McElwain Elementary School (5706)
1020 DAWSON DRIVE
THORNTON, CO 80229
340
Total Students Served
Half Day Kindergarten - Grade 5
School District:
Adams 12 Five Star Schools (0020)
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School Profile
About McElwain Elementary School (5706)
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McElwain Elementary School
2025-2026
The original McElwain Elementary School was established in 1958, named after Percy McElwain, a dedicated 10-year member of the Adams 12 School District?s board of education. In 1982, fourth-grade students at McElwain, led by their teacher Ruth Swado, successfully campaigned for the stegosaurus to be recognized as Colorado's state fossil. This initiative culminated in a proclamation signed by Governor Richard Lamm, making the stegosaurus not only the state fossil but also the school mascot. In 20…
06, the original building was reconstructed, resulting in a modern facility equipped with a large playing field and playground to accommodate our growing student population. McElwain Elementary School is located in the southeast quadrant of Thornton, Colorado, within a low socio-economic community characterized by small single-family homes, government-subsidized public housing, small businesses, and fast-food restaurants. According to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) data from 2022-2023, 90% of our students are identified as economically disadvantaged, qualifying for free and reduced lunch. Additionally, 90% are Limited English Proficient, and we have an unverified growing refugee population. We are committed to providing equitable education. After school hours, McElwain serves as a community hub for extracurricular activities and academic support, as the area lacks community libraries or recreation centers. McElwain continues to make strides in implementing school-wide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives. During the academic day, we have integrated best practices such as Morning Meetings and connection circles. Our SEL team conducts check-ins with students and assists teachers in delivering the Second Step Curriculum. We have also added a flex-time, where students can set goals and develop their talents. We continue to focus on empowering students, teaching them at a high level, and encouraging them to carry the cognitive load. Our GT population has increased over the past five years, it began at zero percent and now we are at about 5%. McElwain Elementary has always experienced systematic barriers but continues to break through and strive as a system.
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