Average
#4861 of 9,533 schools in CA
Thornton High
High School · Jefferson Union High
115 First Ave., Daly City, CA 94014
Enrollment
116
Student-Teacher
23.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
116
Student-Teacher
23.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Daly City
#14 of 20
public schools
California high schools
#1,017 of 1,892
In district
#4 of 5
Jefferson Union High
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Thornton High
Thornton High, located in Daly City, California, is an alternative high school serving students from ninth to twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of just 116 students and a student-teacher ratio of 23.2:1, the school offers personalized attention and support for its diverse student body. The dedicated staff includes five full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to meet individual needs.
While Thornton High's MySchoolScout rating is at 4.1 out of 10 and it ranks #6828 out of 9566 schools in California, the school focuses on fostering a supportive environment that encourages growth and development rather than solely academic achievement. In terms of test scores, only 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while an extremely low percentage, just 2%, demonstrate proficiency in math. These figures highlight areas where the school is currently focusing its efforts to improve student outcomes.
Thornton High is situated in a large suburban area of Daly City, providing a community feel with access to urban resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 116 students, Thornton High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Thornton High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Thornton High is 23.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Thornton High — Students at Thornton High score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Thornton High Compares
See how Thornton High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 31.58% (2024).
Location
115 First Ave., Daly City, CA 94014
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornton High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Westmoor High (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Jefferson High (rated 4.6/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Daly City, see our Daly City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY ANGELS SCHOOL Colma | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Thomas R. Pollicita Middle Daly City | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Jefferson High Daly City | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Susan B. Anthony Elementary Daly City | 0.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Hilldale School Daly City | 0.5 mi | — |
| HILLDALE SCHOOL Daly City | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| John F. Kennedy Elementary Daly City | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Woodrow Wilson Elementary Daly City | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| HOPE LUTHERAN DAY SCHOOL Daly City | 0.8 mi | — |
| OUR LADY PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL Daly City | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Margaret Pauline Brown Elementary Daly City | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Garden Village Elementary Colma | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Daniel Webster Elementary Daly City | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Benjamin Franklin Intermediate Colma | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Westlake Elementary Daly City | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Westmoor High Daly City | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL San Francisco | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Sheridan Elementary San Francisco | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| George Washington Elementary Daly City | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| San Francisco Islamic School San Francisco | 1.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94014 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,513
Median Home Value
$979,500
Median Rent
$2,089/mo
Population
46,269
College Educated
33.4%
Homeownership
59.4%
Avg Commute
30.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thornton High has a median household income of $115,513. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $979,500, with a median rent of $2,089/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alvord High Riverside, CA | 6.3 |
| Bayside Community Day Moreno Valley, CA | 6.3 |
| Chaparral High Phelan, CA | 6.3 |
| Coast Union High Cambria, CA | 6.3 |
| Daily (Allan F.) High (Continuation) Glendale, CA | 6.3 |
| Del Puerto High Patterson, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thornton High
What grades does Thornton High serve?
Thornton High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Thornton High?
Thornton High has an enrollment of approximately 116 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornton High?
The student-teacher ratio at Thornton High is 23.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thornton High rank in CA?
Thornton High is ranked #4861 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Thornton High's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton High has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Thornton High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornton High has 1.7% math proficiency and 22.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thornton High a charter school?
No, Thornton High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thornton High a Title I school?
No, Thornton High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornton High?
56.0% of students at Thornton High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,117/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Daly City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 116
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Mateo County
- Phone
- (650) 550-7840
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jefferson Union High- District Enrollment
- 3,706
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,123
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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