Average
#6743 of 9,539 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
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
116
Student-Teacher
23.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,743 of 9,539
In Daly City
#19 of 20
public schools
In district
#5 of 5
Jefferson Union High
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Thornton High
High School in Daly City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holy Angels School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Thomas R. Pollicita Middle
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thornton High
Thornton High is a public high school in Daly City, CA, part of Jefferson Union High. Thornton High serves approximately 116 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 23.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Thornton High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #6,743 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Thornton High show 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 116 students, Thornton High is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Thornton High sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Thornton High runs 23.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
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 20 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.
How Thornton High Compares
See how Thornton High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jefferson High (rated 6.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.4 |
| Jefferson High Daly City | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Susan B. Anthony Elementary Daly City | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| 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 | 7.8 |
| Woodrow Wilson Elementary Daly City | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Garden Village Elementary Colma | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Daniel Webster Elementary Daly City | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Benjamin Franklin Intermediate Colma | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Westlake Elementary Daly City | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Westmoor High Daly City | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL San Francisco | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Sheridan Elementary San Francisco | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| George Washington Elementary Daly City | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adelante High (Continuation) Roseville, CA | 5.3 |
| Black Rock Alternative/Continuation Twentynine Palms, CA | 5.3 |
| Calla High Manteca, CA | 5.3 |
| Central Valley High (Continuation) Shafter, CA | 5.3 |
| Conejo Valley High (Continuation) Thousand Oaks, CA | 5.3 |
| Confluence Continuation High Auburn, CA | 5.3 |
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 ranks #6,743 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Thornton High's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Thornton High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thornton High has 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 94.0%
- Phone
- (650) 550-7840
- 4-Year Graduation
- 72.0%
Resources & Links
District
Jefferson Union High- District Enrollment
- 3,706
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,123
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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