Thornton Academy

438 Main Street
Saco, ME 04072

Thornton Academy Photo #1 - Thornton Academy has been preparing students for a changing world since 1811. A rigorous and broad-based program of academic, arts and athletic opportunities challenges students to reach their potential in readiness for lifelong learning and productive participation in our dynamic world.

Thornton Academy Photo #2 - Our 80-acre campus located in beautiful, coastal Saco, Maine. Portland, Maine is 15 minutes from campus, and Boston is a short 90 minute drive.

Thornton Academy Photo #3 - Hyde Library

Thornton Academy Photo #4 - Thornton Academy offers 4 years of dance classes, with the highest level being the competitive Dance Company.

Thornton Academy Photo #5 - Thornton Academy's STEM program was designed in collaboration with the University of Maine School of Engineering.

Thornton Academy Photo #6 - Thornton Academy Middle School (TAMS) offers a close-knit community with a focus on our Four Pillars: Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, and Investment.

Thornton Academy Photo #7 - Typical dorm room

Thornton Academy Photo #8 - Thornton Academy offers over 40 student-led clubs; from Model United Nations and Neuroscience Team, to TEDxTA and Outdoor Adventure Club.

Thornton Academy Photo #9 - Thornton Academy offers over 50 athletic teams of all levels. We consistently rank in the top teams in the region for many of our sports, including football, basketball, lacrosse, track & field, golf, and more.

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.

Quick Stats (2022)

Grades: (Boarding) 6-12
Students: 1571 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $49,400
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $14,700
Acceptance rate: 50%
Average class size: 19 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling

School News

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

Thornton Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 308 schools) for:

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2021 School Data

Thornton Academy

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered (Boarding)

6-12

9-12

School Type

Co-ed

Religious Affiliation

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

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Average Class Size

19 students

* National Avg. »18

Student : Teacher Ratio

12:1

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

85%

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

Link to Summer Program Details

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size

$10 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$49,400

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$14,700

$33,250

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.)

Merit Scholarships Offered

Yes

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline

None / Rolling

Jan. 15

Acceptance Rate

50%

58%

Director of Admissions

Clint Williams

Associate Director of Admissions

Megan Cornwall

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

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

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

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

Boston College

Boston University

Brown University

Columbia University

Dartmouth College

Duke University

New York University's Tisch School of the Arts

Parsons School of Design

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

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

Profile last updated: 09/27/2021

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