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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.6%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.3 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-27.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,273

Thornton High — Students at Thornton High score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 1.7%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 22.7%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2024
ELA
31.6%

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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in CA
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Jefferson Union High
District Enrollment
3,706
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,123
District Rank
#4 of 5

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 methodology

Related reading

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