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Excellent

#820 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 9% in state

Thornton Middle

Middle School · Fremont Unified

4357 Thornton Ave., Fremont, CA 94536

Enrollment

1,854

Student-Teacher

25.4:1

Score

8.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#820 of 9,539

In Fremont

#14 of 45

public schools

In district

#14 of 43

Fremont Unified

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Thornton Middle

8.5/10

Middle School in Fremont · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Oliveira Elementary

8.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fremont Christian School

7.1/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thornton Middle

Thornton Middle is a public middle school in Fremont, CA, part of Fremont Unified. Thornton Middle serves approximately 1,854 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 25.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Thornton Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #820 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Thornton Middle show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.4
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Thornton Middle runs 25.4:1 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change+0.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+38.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33 pts
Overall Proficiency76% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,175
Chronic Absenteeism6.2%

Thornton Middle — Students at Thornton Middle score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 76.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
65%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
71%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
74%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
76%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
76%
2022
Math
68.2%
ELA
80.6%
2024
Math
72.7%
ELA
78.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.

How Thornton Middle Compares

See how Thornton Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
91th percentile in CA
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
6.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4357 Thornton Ave., Fremont, CA 94536

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thornton Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Brookvale Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Oliveira Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, American High (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Fremont, see our Fremont schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Oliveira Elementary Fremont 0.3 mi 8.4
FREMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fremont 0.5 mi 7.1
American High Fremont 0.5 mi 8.4
Cabrillo Elementary Fremont 0.6 mi 4.3
Holy Spirit School Fremont 0.6 mi
Brookvale Elementary Fremont 0.8 mi 8.8
HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Fremont 0.7 mi 8.0
Centerville Middle Fremont 0.8 mi 8.2
Glenmoor Elementary Fremont 1.0 mi 7.6
Patterson Elementary Fremont 0.9 mi 8.3
John G. Mattos Elementary Fremont 1.3 mi 8.3
Prince of Peace Lutheran School Fremont 1.1 mi
PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fremont 1.2 mi 6.6
Tom Maloney Elementary Fremont 1.2 mi 8.2
St. Edward Parish Newark 1.4 mi
Washington High Fremont 1.2 mi 7.5
ST EDWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newark 1.4 mi 6.6
Crossroads High (Alternative) Newark 1.3 mi 6.2
Bridgepoint High Newark 1.3 mi 2.4
Birch Grove Intermediate Newark 1.6 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$156,672

Median Home Value

$1,210,200

Median Rent

$2,835/mo

Population

70,707

College Educated

57.6%

Homeownership

57.2%

Avg Commute

31.4 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

38.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alta Sierra Intermediate Clovis, CA 8.5
Day Creek Intermediate Etiwanda, CA 8.5
Eleanor Murray Fallon Dublin, CA 8.5
John M. Horner Middle Fremont, CA 8.5
Manhattan Beach Middle Manhattan Beach, CA 8.5
Chaparral Middle Diamond Bar, CA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thornton Middle

What grades does Thornton Middle serve?

Thornton Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Thornton Middle?

Thornton Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,854 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornton Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Thornton Middle is 25.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thornton Middle rank in CA?

Thornton Middle ranks #820 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Thornton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Thornton Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thornton Middle has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Thornton Middle a charter school?

No, Thornton Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thornton Middle a Title I school?

No, Thornton Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornton Middle?

19.6% of students at Thornton Middle 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

Walk Score
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,854
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
73
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Alameda County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
6.2%

District

Fremont Unified
District Enrollment
33,063
Schools in District
44
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,175
District Rank
#14 of 43

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