Thornton Academy
Thornton Academy is a private, co-ed, boarding and day school for grades 6-12, providing them with the best opportunities for higher education and beyond.
We challenge all students to innovate, grow, and succeed in a changing world.
With over 200 courses offered, Thornton Academy has some of the most comprehensive academic and arts programs in New England.
Thornton Academy has been voted the Best Private School in Maine for 2020 and 2021.
Upcoming Events and News
- Reception - Sat., October 23, 2021 - get more information!
- Virtual Event - Wed., November 03, 2021 8:00am (EDT) - get more information!
- Open House - Sun., November 14, 2021 - get more information!
- Best Private School in Maine 2021 - 08/27/2021 - Thornton Academy is honored to have been voted the Best Private School in Maine for our second year in a row.
Top Rankings
All Schools Similar Size Schools
Thornton Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 303 schools) for:
- Category Attribute
- Community Size Large student body (number of students)
- Faculty Education High percent faculty with advanced degrees
- Offering Breadth Most sports offered
- Offering Breadth High # of AP/advanced courses offered
- School History Oldest founding date
| Definition of Terms | 2021 School Data | Thornton Academy | Boarding School Avg. |
| School Focus | College Prep | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered | 6-12 | 9-12 |
| School Type | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1811 | 1907 |
| Campus Size | 80 acres | 125 acres |
Student Body
| Enrollment | 1571 students | 300 students |
| % Students of Color | 18% | 25% |
| % International Students | 10% | 20% |
| % Students Boarding | 11% | 70% |
| Average SAT Score | 1200 | * National Avg. »View |
| Offers Post-Grad Year | No | No |
Academics and Faculty
| Saturday Classes | No | No |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 19 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 12:1 | 7:1 |
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 26 | 18 |
| ESL Courses Offered | Yes | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 85% | 70% |
| Summer Program Offered | Yes | Yes |
| Summer Program Cost | $3,000 ($3,000 per session, two sessions available for 2022. Cost includes: Three meals on weekdays, two meals on weekends, boarding in our modern dormitories, health insurance, all activity fees, local transportation, class materials.) | |
| Summer Program Details | Link to Summer Program Details | |
Tuition Cost
| Endowment Size | $10 million | $25 million |
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $49,400 | $59,500 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | $14,700 | $33,500 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | Yes | No |
Acceptance Rate
| Application Deadline | None / Rolling | Jan. 15 |
| SSAT Required | No | Yes |
| Acceptance Rate | 50% | 58% |
| Director of Admissions | Clint Williams | |
| Associate Director of Admissions | Megan Cornwall | |
Course Listings
| List of Courses Offered | Link to List of Courses |
AP / Advanced Courses
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 26 | 18 |
| Courses | AP Biology , AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese, AP Computer Science A, AP Economics, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP French, AP Government & Politics - US, AP Human Geography , AP Language and Composition , AP Latin, AP Literature and Composition , AP Music Theory, AP Physics, AP Physics C, AP Physics I & II, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art, AP US History | |
Sports
| # Interscholastic Sports Offered | 23 | 16 |
| Sports | Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track, Wrestling | |
Extracurriculars
| Total Extracurricular Organizations | 52 | 23 |
| Extracurriculars | Club or Organization: Academic Decathlon, Action Team, Ambassadors Club, Amnesty International Club, Anglers Society, Animal Rights Club, Anime Club, Arabic Club, Astronomy Club, Carpe Diem (Newspaper), Chess Club, Chinese Language & Culture Club, Civil Rights, Classics Club, Debate Team, Environmental Club, Fashion Design Club, French Club, German Club, GSTA, Interact Club, Math Team, Model United Nations, National History Day, National Honor Society, Neuroscience Club, Outdoor Adventure Club, Ribbon Club, Robotics Team, RSVP, Science Olympiad, Spanish Club, Speech Team, Student Council, TA Tour Guides, Table Top Game Club, TATV, TEDxTA, Tripod (Yearbook), Women and Gender Equal Rights Club Arts and Music Programs: Art Club, Ink Magazine, Jazz Combo, Orchestra, Photography Club, Student Media Team, TA Players, Technical Theater Crew, Treble Choir Recreational Athletic Programs: Cycling Club, Equestrian Club, Ski Club | |
College Matriculation
| Year: 2010 - 2014 | 10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled) | |
| American University | 1 | |
| Boston College | 1 | |
| Boston University | 1 | |
| Brown University | 1 | |
| Columbia University | 1 | |
| Dartmouth College | 1 | |
| Duke University | 1 | |
| New York University's Tisch School of the Arts | 1 | |
| Parsons School of Design | 1 | |
| University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) | 1 | |
| Link to Matriculation Data | ||
School Notes
- Thornton Academy, founded in 1811, is a co-educational, independent boarding and day school serving grades 6 through 12. Located on Maine's southern coast in the city of Saco, we are one of the nation's longest operating independent schools.
- Thornton's commitment to excellence enables students to reach their full potential and flourish in a changing world. We offer a safe and secure family environment where every student can find his or her place. Here, students are free to express their own individual ideas, cultures, and dreams, and all students benefit from our unique campus environment and its global perspective.
- Our historic, 80-acre campus is located near some of the finest beaches, ski mountains, scenic areas, and cultural offerings in New England. We are a 90-minute drive from Boston, and 15 minutes from Portland, a vibrant, small city with a working waterfront.
- Thornton Academy offers more than 200 courses in a variety of subjects, including 24 advanced placement (AP) classes, 42 honors level classes, seven foreign languages, and award-winning performing and visual arts programming. Our new state-of-the-art STEM Center (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) includes four biology and chemistry laboratories, and one engineering lab. Our New Media Center features the TATV television studio, and hosts our classes in computer programming, multimedia production, journalism, and video game programming.
- Outside of the classroom, Thornton Academy offers 57 sports teams and 46 after-school clubs and activities, creating plenty of opportunity for students to pursue their passions and discover new talents.
- Thornton Academy accreditations: TABS, NEASC, NAIS, ISANNE, MAIS
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