Academic Clubs

Robotics club

Any and all students interested in learning the basics of robotics building and programming are invited to join the T.A. Robotics Club!  Using VEX materials students can learn how to construct and operate a basic robot, and even develop skills that could take them to competition! No background or skills needed, only curiosity!

Advisor: anthony.sequiera@thorntonacademy.org   

National honor society

Open to seniors by invitation only, this club seeks to make Thornton Academy a better school. They offer tutoring and provide support for new students through an orientation day, tours, and friendship.

Advisor: lauren.roche@thorntonacademy.org

math team

The Thornton Academy Math Team competes in different types of competitions. This club has many international students, which makes it a great way to make friends from all over the world who speak the common language of math! There are weekly practices to prepare for upcoming meets, but these meets aren’t mandatory. Many students do Math Team in addition to athletics or other clubs. TA’s team consistently brings home numerous awards and recognitions.

Advisor: TBD

neuroscience club

The Neuroscience Club studies the nervous system (specifically the brain and how it works). They host talks from research scientists on campus and via Skype and participate in the annual Southern Maine Regional Brain Bee competition.

Advisor: TBD

science olympiad

The Science Olympiad Team is made up of students of all grade levels. They meet monthly in the fall and weekly through winter and spring to prepare for the statewide competition in March. There are over twenty events to pick from, with lots of room for independent work or teaming up with a friend.

Advisor: TBD

model united nations

Model United Nations Club consists of a group of students who meet to discuss International Relations and Global Politics. As a group, we discuss current events and the many challenges presented throughout the world. In addition, students will prepare for Model United Nations conferences where they will research and represent various country interests as they role play on behalf of the country they are assigned. Students will debate various topics at these conferences and will network with others from all over New England. The goal of the club, and conferences, is to see how well high school students work toward finding solutions to the many challenges presented throughout the world. 

Advisor: nathan.mckenney@thorntonacademy.org

national history day

Each year more than half a million students participate in the National History Day Contest. Students choose a historical topic related to the annual theme, and then conduct primary and secondary research. You will look through libraries, archives and museums, conduct oral history interviews, and visit historic sites. After you have analyzed and interpreted your sources, and have drawn a conclusion about the significance of your topic, you will then be able to present your work in one of five ways: as a paper, an exhibit, a performance, a documentary, or a website. 

Advisor: TBD

speech team

Speech Team is a competitive activity in which students compete in 12 unique speaking events, ranging from impromptu speaking to acting, newscasting, poetry and prose reading. Students are judged against their competitors at tournaments where they all strive for the opportunity to compete during the final round of the tournament and boost the total team score of the Thornton Academy team. Students also have the chance to win trophies and medals for themselves.   

Advisor: david.arenstam@thorntonacademy.org

debate team

If you're interested in winning more arguments, Debate Team can help! During meetings, we practice and learn more about drafting and winning arguments. It is challenging, competitive, and rewarding. We go to roughly 4-5 tournaments at schools throughout the state each year starting in October and ending in January.  All students are welcome--no experience is needed--just a willingness to participate and practice. "Arguably the best club at TA"

Advisor(s): nathan.mckenney@thorntonacademy.org, susan.biggs@thorntonacademy.org

ink

INK is Thornton Academy's Literature & Arts Magazine, focused on spotlighting the artists, performers & writers in our community. If you are interested in the arts, journalism, and or publication, join us! Check us out at inkmagazine.org

Advisor: TBD