Thornton Academy
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:
Summer Programs
Summary:
Department Director:
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
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
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 5%
Average Merit Scholarship: $5,000
Current Endowment Amount: $10,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Clint Williams
Admissions Phone: 207 282 5383
Fax: 207 282 2536
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.thorntonacademy.org
Nearby Schools
- Wolfeboro Camp School (The Summer Boarding School) - 37mi / 59 km
- Hyde School (ME) - 41mi / 67 km
- Phillips Exeter Academy - 45mi / 72 km
- Hebron Academy - 48mi / 77 km
- The Governor’s Academy - 57mi / 92 km







