International Admissions

After you've submitted your application, required documents, and completed your interview, our Admissions Committee will review your file. This process takes up to a week. Then we will contact you with an admission decision. 

Thornton Academy has rolling admissions, meaning you can apply any time. There is no deadline. We continue to accept students until the dormitories are full, at which point we will start a wait list. 

No test scores are required. But we welcome test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, ELTIS, SSAT, SAT, etc. as part of your application file. 

Approximately 180 students from 35 countries. That's approximately 10% of the student body. 

At Thornton Academy, we call it English Language Learning (ELL). We offer 4 levels of ELL English classes, 2 ELL History classes, a supported study center during the school day, and test prep after school as a part of our Golden Edge program.

At the beginning of the school year, each dorm student has a well-child physical. This is an opportunity for each student to meet the school doctor and discuss chronic medical problems or acute issues. This is also a time for the doctor to get to know your child.  At this appointment, the school doctor also reviews vaccination records and administers any vaccinations your child needs to be compliant with Maine law. This is also covered by the students' school health insurance. 

After that initial exam, students will have 24/7 access to a health care and will be able to schedule doctor appointments on an as-needed basis. 

Thornton Academy is located only 5 minutes from the closest heath clinic and 10 minutes from the closest hospital. 

Upon enrollment, families will receive matriculation information from our residential life staff, including medical information. 

Download our current immunization requirements for boarding students. 

To enroll at Thornton Academy, there are two things you need to do:

• Pay the $6,000 deposit via wire transfer, credit card, or the admissions portal. 
• Sign the contract through the admissions portal. 
• Sign the financial affidavit and submit any required documents through the admissions portal.

To receive your I-20, we will need a signed affidavit of financial support or bank statement. This is available in the admissions portal. 

You will soon receive an email from the Residential Life staff welcoming you to TA, and in the meantime, feel free to check out our Student Life page. The Res Life staff will send a matriculation packet, information about arriving on campus, and details about the dorms or homestay. 

Upon enrollment, Thornton Academy will issue an I-20, which allows you to apply for an F-1 student visa.

To receive your I-20, we will need a signed affidavit of financial support. This is available in the admissions portal. 

Tips for a Successful Visa Interview

*The visa interview waiver has been extended through 2022. This means Consular Officers have the ability to waive the in person interview requirement, but they may choose to require it.

In case you are required to do an in-person interview, please check out these 10 interview tips from NAFSA.

Entering the US

The following documents should be carried on the plane with you (they should not be in your checked bag):

• Passport
• Valid U.S. Visa (located in your passport)
• Your signed I-20: you must print the electronically sent signed I-20. At the border, you cannot present your electronic I-20 on your phone. 

You might be asked for the following two documents, so we recommend you pack these in your carry on bag as well:

• Printed I-901 Fee Receipt (a.k.a. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee receipt)
• Copy of your acceptance letter and proof of funds: while you may not be asked for it, it is advisable for new students to carry these documents. Proof of funds can include the same documents you submitted to obtain your I-20. Students can download a copy of their affidavit of support from the Admissions Portal.