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Our Associate Membership program is designed for those individuals and organizations - not eligible for traditional membership - which serve, study, or otherwise are deeply involved in the TABS community of schools.

CURRENT ASSOCIATE MEMBERS BY CATEGORY

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BOARDING SCHOOL NETWORKS

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Thornton Academy

Saco, Maine, USA
Co-Ed, No Religious Affiliation

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Thornton Academy prepares students for a changing world, challenging all to learn, grow, innovate and succeed. Students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, to try courses that challenge and intrigue them, and to take deep dives into subjects that spark curiosity. Engagement continues after-school, through many clubs, activities, community service, and athletics. We offer over 200 courses, including 26 AP courses, over 40 Honors level courses, 7 foreign languages, 4 years of dance programming, and a comprehensive STEM program designed in cooperation with the University of Maine School of Engineering.

  • Quad
  • Campus
  • Engineering Class
  • Dance Performance
  • English Class
  • TV Studio
  • Dorm Common Room
  • Trojans Football
 

Videos



  • Video Thumbnail for Thornton Academy Trailer
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438 Main Street
Saco, Maine, USA 04072

(207) 282-3361

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Director of Admissions: Clint Williams
Admissions Phone:(207) 282-5383
Email: [email protected] Website:
www.thorntonacademy.org


  • Application Deadline: Rolling
  • Application Fee: $100
  • International Application Fee: $100
  • Accepts SSAT Standard Application Online (SAO): Yes
  • Accepts Gateway to Prep Schools Application: No
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School News

Thornton Academy Selected Down East Editors’ Pick for Best Elementary and Secondary Private School in Maine

Posted on September 2, 2020
Thornton Academy was named Best Private School (both elementary and secondary) in Down East magazine’s annual Best of Maine issue.
more...

  • at a glance
  • academics
  • campus life
  • arts & athletics
  • college info
  • summer programs
  • Founded: 1811
  • Campus Size: 80 acres
  • Grades Offered: 6th-12th
  • Accredited by: NEASC
Student Body
Boarding
Grades 8th-12th
Day
Grades 6th-12th
Total
Girls     80 750 830
Boys     120 750 870
Total     200 1500 1700

Tuition and Financial Aid
  • 7-Day Boarding: $48,000
  • 5-Day Boarding: N/A
  • Day Tuition Fee: $13,900
  • Payment Plans: Offered
  • Need-Based Aid: Offered
  • Students Receiving Aid: 10.00%
  • Average Awarded: $10,000
School Finances
  • Merit Scholarships: Offered
  • Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 5.00%
  • Average Merit Scholarship: $5,000
  • Current Endowment: $10,000,000
  • Per Student Endowment: $5,882
 

Summary: Thornton Academy ignites a passion for discovery with a flexible and comprehensive academic program. Students can shape their future with more than 200 courses in 8 different academic departments, including 26 AP classes and more than 42 honors classes. Explore our curriculum with our Program of Studies to experience the incredible world of learning at Thornton Academy. The strength in Thornton Academy's size is the sheer diversity of offerings.

Technology is involved in every classroom at Thornton Academy. With a 1:1 iPad program, all students have the technology they need to succeed. Measure the amount of erosion on local beaches. Chat and send videos to your German exchange student. Create a presentation to have your character elected during novel study for Animal Farm. At Thornton Academy, you can become who you want to be.

Department Director: Amanda Doyle

Average Class Size: 20

Full Time Teachers: 99

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 72.00%

Student/Teacher Ratio: 11:1

Summer Programs Offered: Offered

Academic Schedule: Semester

Number of Advanced Placement Courses Offered: 26

Advanced/Enrichment Programs
  • AP Courses
  • Distance Learning
  • Honors courses
  • Early College courses
Support Programs
  • College Counseling
  • ESL: Beginning
  • ESL: Intermediate
  • ESL: Advanced
  • Evening Study Assistance
  • Learning Center
  • Learning Differences Support
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Subject Tutoring
  • Technology Center
  • Writing Center
English:
  • Classics
  • Creative Writing
  • Honors
  • Literature
  • Playwriting
  • Poetry
  • AP Literature and Comp
  • Composition Writing
  • Short Fiction
  • Dystopian Fiction
  • Techn. Writing
  • Journalism
  • Memoir and Personal Narrative
  • Independent Seminar
  • Technical Writing in an iPad World
History:
  • Asian History
  • Classical History
  • European History
  • Honors
  • Medieval History
  • United States History
  • World History
  • You are the Historian
  • Government
  • Civics
Foreign Languages:
  • Chinese-Mandarin
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • Greek
  • Latin
  • Honors and AP Latin
  • Honors Homeric Greek
  • Honors and AP French
  • Honors German
  • Honors and AP Spanish
  • Honors and AP Chinese
  • Honors Arabic
Religion/Philosophy:
  • Mythology
  • Philosophy
  • Religious Studies
  • Social Justice
  • Theology
Humanities/Social Sciences:
  • Anthropology
  • Economics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Blind Eye of History
Sciences:
  • Anatomy
  • Astronomy
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Marine Biology
  • Physical Science
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Honors Physical Science
  • Honors Biology
  • Honors Chemistry
  • Honors Forensics
  • Honors Physics
  • Honors Intro to Engineering
  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Environment Science
  • AP Physics
Math:
  • Algebra
  • Calculus
  • Honors Math
  • Geometry
  • Probability
  • Statistics
  • Trigonometry
  • Pre-Calculus
  • Honors and AP Pre-Calculus (AB and BC)
  • Honors Algebra
  • Honors Geometry
  • AP Statistics
  • Early College course
Computer Studies:
  • Computer Applications
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Science
  • Multimedia
  • Web Design
  • Digital Imaging and Design
  • Digital Layout and Design
  • Digital Marketing
  • Exploring Computer Science
  • Flash Animation
  • Graphic Design
  • Honors
  • Motion Graphics
  • Movie Making
  • 3D Art & Animation
  • AP Computer Science
  • Technical Writing in an iPad World
Music:
  • Band
  • Choral Music
  • Electronic Music
  • History of Jazz
  • History of Music
  • Individual Instructions
  • Music Theory
  • Orchestra
  • Recording
  • Voice
  • Piano Lab
  • Strings
  • Jazz Improv
  • more...
Performing/Visual Arts:
  • 3-D Design
  • Acting
  • Animation
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Ballet
  • Ceramics
  • Choreography
  • Dance
  • Debate
  • Design
  • Directing
  • Drama
  • Drawing
  • Film and Video
  • Graphic Design
  • History of Theater
  • Journalism
  • Lighting Design
  • Modern Dance
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Portfolio
  • Pottery
  • Printmaking
  • Production
  • Publications
  • Sculpture
  • Studio Art
  • Television Production
  • Theater Arts
  • Theater Design
  • Illustration
Special Programs:
  • Community Service
  • Exchange Programs
  • Independent Study
  • Internships
  • JROTC
  • Leadership
  • Outdoor Education
  • Inroduction to Robotics
  • Journalism
  • Radio Broadcasting
  • Sports Journalism
  • Television Production
  • STEM
AP Courses Available:
  • Biology
  • Calculus AB
  • Calculus BC
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science A
  • Computer Science AB
  • English Language
  • Environmental Science
  • European History
  • French Language
  • Human Geography
  • Latin: Vergil
  • Music Theory
  • Physics B
  • Physics C
  • Spanish Language
  • Statistics
  • Studio Art
  • US History
  • Chinese
  • Art
  • Literature & Composition
  • Environmental Science
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Summary: Thornton Academy is a close-knit and diverse community of thinkers and doers. The vibrant campus bustles with activities and events. We are close to the ocean and not far from pristine forests and mountains. Our four pillars of respect, responsibility, compassion, and investment define who we are.

With a large and welcoming student body, Thornton empowers those in our community to stretch outside their comfort zone, join a new sport, start a new club, or try out for a school musical. Whether it is in the classroom, in the dormitories, or on the playing field, at Thornton Academy you can be who you are and become who you want to be.

Department Director: Catherine Paradis

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 5

Average Students Per Dorm: 40

No. of Girls Dorms: 2

No. of Boys Dorms: 3

Dorm Amenities:

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Lounge
  • Wireless Internet
  • Three large dormitories
  • and two smaller dormitories for upper classmen/by request.

Dress Code: Casual

Student Life

Summary: Our Alumni say that the variety of academic and extracurricular programming is what attracted them to Thornton Academy, but the boarding program is what made it their home. Our dormitories are where students learn to live and grow together. For many of our students, it is the first time they are living away from home.

Trust and communication are key. The relationships forged in the dorms between students from all over the world last forever. The Thornton Academy pillars of respect, responsibility, investment, and compassion come to life every day when students and adults navigate the complexity of managing a healthy school-life balance.

Facilities

  • All-weather track
  • Baseball field(s)
  • Basketball court(s)
  • Technology Center
  • Volleyball court(s)
  • Football field
  • Indoor basketball court(s)
  • TV Studio
  • 500-seat Auditorium
  • Art Gallery
  • STEM Center

Clubs and Organizations

  • Amnesty International
  • Animal Rights Club
  • Chess Club
  • Community Service
  • Debate Club
  • Drama Club
  • Environmental Club
  • Foreign Language Clubs
  • Horseback Riding
  • International Clubs
  • Literary Magazine
  • Math Club
  • Model UN
  • National Honor Society
  • Newspaper
  • Outing Club
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Photography
  • Snowboarding
  • Student Activities
  • Student Government
  • Student Publications
  • Theater
  • TV Station
  • Yearbook
  • Civil Rights Team
  • TEDx
  • Ski Club
  • Cycling Club
  • Action Team
  • Ambassador Club
  • Interact Club
  • Science Olympiad
  • Neuroscience Club
  • Robotics Team
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Summary: The Studio & Performing Arts department at Thornton Academy teaches critical thinking in addition to providing the skills and craftsmanship to translate ideas into beautifully executed work.

Students stretch themselves with courses in Visual Art, Dance, Music and Theater. Each year students earn top scores in AP Visual Art and Music Theory, and teachers dedicate themselves to preparing students for the most selective art and music colleges in the country.

Thornton Academy has a rich and storied history of athletic excellence. Throughout our history, Thornton Academy athletic teams have won more than 50 state championships, including our most recent championship in 2019 in Boys Lacrosse.

Today, athletics are an integral part of the Thornton Academy experience. We offer more than 50 teams at many different levels. All Thornton Academy students are encouraged to join a team — whether they are new to a sport or a potential New England champion.

Arts Department Director: Jennifer Witherell-Stebbins

Athletics Department Director: Gary Stevens

Notable Achievements: 2020 Boys Basketball Regional Champions, 2019 Golf Conference Champions, 2019 Boys Lacrosse State Champions

Arts
  • Art Club
  • Audiovisual Club
  • Brass Ensemble
  • Chamber Choir
  • Chamber Ensemble
  • Chamber Orchestra
  • Choral Music
  • Dance
  • Drama Club
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Pep Band
  • String Ensemble
  • Tech Crew
  • Theater
  • Painting
  • Sculpture
  • Drawing
  • Photography
  • Studio Art
  • 4 Years/Levels of Dance
Interscholastic Sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross-Country Running
  • Field Hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • Over 50 teams playing 24 sports
Recreational Sports
  • Alpine Ski Racing
  • Alpine Skiing
  • Basketball
  • Dance
  • Free Style Skiing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Mountain Biking
  • Rafting
  • Snowboarding
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
 

Summary: School counselors help students and families understand the need to maintain appropriate and individualized academic programming. The School Counseling Department works with students to market those experiences to appropriate universities and colleges. The college application process is a daunting and exciting time for students and we are honored to walk with them on that journey. School counselors are committed to knowing their students well, and to collaborating with them to develop the best possible transition plans from high school to their next steps.
Thornton has a a full-time International College Counselor.

Department Director: Kelley Hodgman-Burns

College Information

Colleges attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

American University
Bates College
Berklee College of Music
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Colby College
Colombia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Duke University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Johns Hopkins University
Maine College of Art
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The New School
New York University's Tisch School of the Arts
Northeastern University
Parsons School of Design
Providence College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Rochester Institute of Technology
Simmons College
Smith College
Temple University
Tulane University
Union College
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
University of Michigan
University of Southern California (USC)
University of Texas, Austin (UT)
University of Vermont
Wellesley College
Wheaton College

 

Summary: Discover new classes and make friends for life at the Summer at Thornton Academy program. Held on Thornton Academy's beautiful campus, the program features two blocks of classes in the mornings and two activities per day in the afternoons and evenings.

Summer at Thornton Academy is designed for both local and international students and features classes in arts, STEM, humanities, and English Language, Learning, and more! All classes are taught by experienced Thornton Academy teachers.

Afternoon and evening activities encourage students to discover American culture, have fun, and explore topics from the morning classes. One day, we might visit an art museum. The next, we learn about lobstering as we go out in a lobster boat in Casco Bay.

Department Director: Katy Nicketakis

International Summer Program

July 24, 2021 to August 21, 2021

Discover new classes and make friends for life at the Summer at Thornton Academy program. Held on Thornton Academy's beautiful campus, the program features two blocks of classes in the mornings and two activities per day in the afternoons and evenings.

Registration Deadline: July 24, 2021
Tuition: $3,000-6000
Financial Aid Available:  No
More Details

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Association of Boarding Schools
One North Pack Square, Suite 301, Asheville NC 28801, USA
828 258 5354   [email protected]
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