Mission, Vision, Core Values

The Thornton Academy experience will empower you to choose from more than 200 courses, 50 sports teams, and 30 art classes. The geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of our students, who hail from more than 30 local towns and 25+ different countries, means there is no shortage of opportunities for exploration and growth. We celebrate both our students’ individual differences and shared values in a warm and welcoming environment where you can truly be yourself. 
 

The majority of our diverse student body is comprised of day students from Saco, Dayton, Arundel, and other towns in the Southern Maine area. They are joined by boarding students from more than 25 countries and across the United States. Community is at the heart of the Thornton Academy experience. Our students form lasting relationships within a welcoming school that values individuality and provides ongoing support to ensure that students thrive academically, emotionally, and physically.

One of the benefits of our size is the sheer diversity of course and program options. That’s why a hallmark of a Thornton Academy education is access to more.Thornton Academy offers more than 200 courses from 7 different academic departments, including 26 AP classes and more than 40 honors classes. Each year, you’ll choose up to eight different classes that match your individual interests, academic rigor, and goals for the future. There are as many different avenues of exploration as there are different kinds of students at Thornton Academy.

Nestled in the safe and scenic coastal town of Saco, Maine, Thornton Academy’s campus is like a small university. With buildings spanning over 80 acres, there is a place for everyone. Our location in Maine offers peace of mind and an abundance of opportunity. Maine is consistently ranked as the #1 safest state in the country. We are only 90 minutes from Boston; 15 minutes from Maine’s largest city, Portland, Maine; and a short drive from the beautiful natural landscapes that Maine is known for—picturesque coastlines, magnificent forests and hiking trails, and stunning mountain regions.

At Thornton Academy Middle School, each student is a valued member of our small, close-knit, and joyful community. Inside and outside of the classroom, students have opportunities to grow academically, socially and emotionally, while making lifelong friendships and building a strong foundation for their future after TAMS.