Thornton Academy

Saco

Maine

United States

Overview

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.

Academics

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

Student/Teacher Ratio: 11:1

Average Class Size: 20

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 99

Number of AP Courses Offered: 26

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 72%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

Evening Study Assistance
Learning Center
Learning Differences Support
Peer Tutoring
Subject Tutoring
Technology Center
Writing Center

English

Classics
Creative Writing
Honors
Literature
Playwriting
Poetry

History

Asian History
Classical History
European History
Honors
Medieval History
United States History
World History

Foreign Languages

Chinese-Mandarin
French
German
Greek
Italian
Latin
Spanish

Religion / Philosophy

Mythology
Philosophy
Religious Studies
Social Justice
Theology

Humanities / Social Sciences

Anthropology
Economics
Psychology
Sociology

Sciences

Anatomy
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Marine Biology
Physical Science
Physics
Physiology

Math

Algebra
Calculus
Geometry
Probability
Statistics
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus

Computer Studies

Computer Applications
Multimedia
Computer Programming
Computer Science
Web Design

Music

Band
Choral Music
Electronic Music
History of Jazz
Individual Instructions
Music History
Music Theory
Orchestra
Recording
Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

Acting
Animation
Art History
Ballet
Ceramics
Choreography
Dance
Debate
Design
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Graphic Design
Journalism
Lighting Design
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Printmaking
Production
Publications
Sculpture
Studio Art
Television Production
Theater Arts
Theater Design
3-D Art
Modern Dance
Theater History
Illustration

Special Programs

Community Service
Exchange Programs
Independent Study
Internships
JROTC
Leadership
Outdoor Education

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 5

Average Students Per Dorm: 40

Number of Girls Dorms: 2

Number of Boys Dorms: 3

Dorm Amenities

Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Three large dormitories and two smaller dormitories for upper classmen/by request.

Student Life

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
Basketball Court
Football Field
Indoor Basketball Court
Technology Center
Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

TV Studio; 500-seat Auditorium; Art Gallery; STEM Center

Clubs & Organizations

Amnesty International
Animal Rights Club
Chess Club
Community Service
Debate Club
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Foreign Language Clubs
Horseback Riding
International Club
Literary Magazine
Math Club
Model UN
National Honor Society
Newspaper
Outing Club
Peer Tutoring
Photography Club
Snowboarding Club
Student Activities
Student Government
Student Publications
Theater Club
Yearbook
TV Station

Arts & Athletics

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: Jen Witherell-Stebbins

Athletics Department Director: Gary Stevens

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

Arts

Acting
Animation
Art History
Ballet
Ceramics
Choreography
Dance
Debate
Design
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Graphic Design
Journalism
Lighting Design
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Printmaking
Production
Publications
Sculpture
Studio Art
Television Production
Theater Arts
Theater Design
3-D Art
Modern Dance
Theater History
Illustration

Interscholastic Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country Running
Field Hockey
Football
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

Recreational Sports

Alpine Skiing
Alpine Ski Racing
Baseball
Dance
Freestyle Skiing
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Mountain Biking
Rafting
Snowboarding
Soccer
Volleyball

Graduates

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.

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Carleton University: 1

University of Maryland: 1

Univ. of Calif/Irvine: 1

Univ. of Calif./Davis: 1

Pennsylvania State University: 5

Michigan State University: 1

LeHigh University: 1

Boston College: 1

College of William and Mary: 1

Wheaton College: 1

Washington and Lee University: 1

University of Virginia: 1

University of Rochester: 1

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: 1

Rice University: 1

Purdue University: 1

Johns Hopkins University: 1

Georgia Institute of Technology: 1

Georgetown University: 1

Emory University: 1

Davidson College: 1

Dartmouth College: 1

University of San Francisco: 1

Summer Programs

Summary:

Department Director: Katy Nicketakis

International Summer Program

Description: 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.

Director: Katy Nicketakis

Application Deadline: July 24, 2021

Start Date: July 24, 2021

End Date: August 21, 2021

Tuition From: 3000

Tuition To: 6000

Website: https://www.thorntonacademy.org/summeratta/international-camps

Boarding: Boarding

Financial Aid Available: No

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 5%

Average Merit Scholarship: 5,000

Current Endowment Amount: $10,000,000

Interested in Thornton Academy?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: Coed

Total Boarding: 200

Total Day: 1500

Total Enrollment: 1700

Boys: 870

Girls: 830

Boarding Grades Offered: 8-12

Day Grades Offered: 6-12

School Type: Middle, High School

Dress Code: Casual

Applications Accepted: SAO

Application Deadline: Rolling

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $48,000

5-Day Boarding: N/A

Day Tuition Fee: $13,900

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 10%

Average Awarded: $10,000

School Finances