The 6-12 Experience

Two schools: one unified educational journey.

While there are many entry points for students to begin at Thornton Academy, one thing is consistent: we provide an educational experience filled with opportunities to be who you are and become who you want to be.

Thornton Academy offers a breadth of program that unmatched by both schools. We do so to serve all of our students - we meet them where they are and provide appropriate challenges and supports to meet the needs of all learners. Our teachers care for all of our students, no matter where they come from and no matter who they are. They rely on our core values of respect, responsibility, compassion, and investment to help shape our students into successful, happy, and fulfilled young adults.

In This Section

Both the middle school and upper school staff are extremely responsive. I feel well-informed and both myself and my children are so supported by Thornton Academy's teachers.

danielle bogardus, parent

What defines the Thornton Academy 6-12 experience?

Our teachers are caring

Thornton Academy teachers will get to know and care about each of their students throughout the year. Our teachers want to see all of our students succeed and work hard with them both in and out of the classroom to make sure that they have the support they need to do well. They are available before and after school for additional help and can be contacted at any point via email. Our teachers love being a part of the Thornton Academy community - our staff turnover is extremely low and most of our teachers have decades of experience caring for and educating our students.

Hear what a current parent has to say about our teachers!

We offer unmatched opportunity

At both the middle school and the upper school, our students benefit from a breadth of opportunity that is unmatched in our area. Thornton Academy offers more classes, clubs, and sports teams than any one student can take advantage of. Want to play football and be a part of our orchestra? You can do that at Thornton Academy! Are you really good at math and need to take upper school classes while in 7th or 8th grade? You can do that at Thornton Academy! We truly believe that our students can be who they are and we set them up to become who they want to be in the future.

Hear from an upper school English teacher about all we offer

Our community shares the same values

Thornton Academy lives and breathes our pillars of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion and Investment. These pillars were developed in collaboration with faculty, staff, and students, and they inform our actions and attitudes. These guiding principles enhance our shared experiences and provide us with a strong sense of community. Students learn to be a part of something bigger than themselves and feel an increased purpose and belonging.

Hear from our Middle School Principal about our pillars

We meet kids where they are

As a large school, we serve a wide range of students. In fact, Thornton Academy welcomes students from 27 US towns and cities and 28 different countries. But we meet kids right where they are. We are able to offer classes for many different academic levels, provide additional challenges for students that need them, and provide support such as guided study halls, school counselors, and social workers for kids that need a bit of a boost. No matter who you are and what your strengths are, there is a place for you at Thornton Academy.

Hear from a current parent!

Opportunity to take Upper School classes

At TA Middle School, students who qualify are able to take classes at the upper school as an eighth grader.

Whether it’s in the arts or math or science, some students achieve the academic standing to take a class or two with freshmen at Thornton Academy. This experience can prepare students for the rigors of the upper school but also get them familiar with the campus and lifestyle that comes with TA.

Students who take classes early at the upper school can get on a track to achieve the highest academic offerings and standards we have to offer on campus.

Classes include: Honors Physical Science, Honors Spanish I, Algebra I, and more!