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Welcome to Thornton Academy
Thornton Academy is an independent, private day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12. Thornton is co-educational and non-sectarian.
Since its founding in 1811, Thornton Academy has been a center of inspiration, innovation, and community in Saco, Maine. We prepare students for a changing world through our curriculum, facilities, extra-curricular opportunities, and student support. 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.
Our Mission
Thornton Academy prepares students for a changing world, challenging all to learn, grow, innovate, and succeed.
Our Student Experience
Support During a Crucial Period of Growth and Development
At Thornton Academy, students can express individuality while discovering their future aspirations. Our school community is warm and welcoming. We are a school where students build strong relationships with dedicated teachers and student friendships that last a lifetime. Our faculty and staff recognize that each child has strengths and challenges, and takes into account the well-being of individuals at each stage of social, emotional, and intellectual development.
Diversity That Fosters Compassion and Respect
With students from more than 30 local towns and more than 50 countries worldwide, we value the diversity and multiculturalism of our community. The geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of our student body creates a unique and dynamic learning environment that fosters a greater appreciation of not only our individual differences but also the values we share. Among those shared values are Thornton Academy’s Core Pillars — Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, and Investment. These values guide our work and reflect how we treat one another within our school community.
An Individualized Approach to Supporting the Future of Each Student
Bearing in mind today's competitive global economy, our experienced college counselors work with students one-on-one in grades 9-12 to plan college and career trajectories. We encourage real-world experience through internships, job shadows, and part-time work. Our university partnerships offer students the opportunity to test out areas of study even before university enrollment.
The TA Advantage
As the largest independent school in Maine serving 1,600 local and international students, Thornton Academy offers unique advantages.
- A comprehensive curriculum which offers more than 200 classes.
- An emphasis on diversity and multiculturalism.
- A broad support network of teachers, counselors, staff, and peers.
- A wide breadth of opportunities in and beyond the classroom.
- Bigger and better facilities to inspire students to dream big.
Thornton Academy Pillars
Respect
Respect is acting with character, integrity, pride, and humbleness, with awareness of how actions affect others.
Responsibility
Responsibility is embracing individual ownership of behaviors and choices while making informed decisions.
Compassion
Compassion is awareness of others' experiences and opinions while treating them with thoughtfulness and gratitude.
Investment
Investment is engagement with our school, commitment to goals, and willingness to take risks.