Very Good
#2859 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 30% in state
Thornton Middle
Middle School · Fremont Unified
4357 Thornton Ave., Fremont, CA 94536
Enrollment
1,854
Student-Teacher
25.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,854
Student-Teacher
25.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fremont
#13 of 45
public schools
California middle schools
#373 of 1,349
In district
#12 of 43
Fremont Unified
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Thornton Middle
Thornton Middle serves 1,854 students in grades 6-8 in Fremont, California, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking in the 89th percentile among California's 9,566 schools, Thornton demonstrates strong academic achievement across its student body. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 79% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 73% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the dedication of 73 full-time equivalent teachers working with students at a ratio of 25.4 to 1, providing substantial educational support despite the school's large enrollment. Thornton Middle draws from an affluent and highly educated community in the 94536 ZIP code, where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $152,076. The area maintains a low poverty rate of 7.6%, creating a stable environment that supports student learning and family engagement in education.
Located on Thornton Avenue in this mid-size city within Alameda County, the school serves a community of over 71,000 residents where median home values reflect the area's desirability at $1.16 million, positioning Thornton Middle in one of Fremont's most established neighborhoods.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Thornton Middle is 25.4:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thornton Middle — Students at Thornton Middle score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 8.3/10.
How Thornton Middle Compares
See how Thornton Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 74% (2019) to 72.68% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 76% (2019) to 78.89% (2024).
Location
4357 Thornton Ave., Fremont, CA 94536
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornton Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. John G. Mattos Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, American High (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.8 |
| FREMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fremont | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| American High Fremont | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Cabrillo Elementary Fremont | 0.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Holy Spirit School Fremont | 0.6 mi | — |
| Brookvale Elementary Fremont | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Fremont | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Centerville Middle Fremont | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Glenmoor Elementary Fremont | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Patterson Elementary Fremont | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| John G. Mattos Elementary Fremont | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| 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 | 4.7 |
| St. Edward Parish Newark | 1.4 mi | — |
| Washington High Fremont | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| ST EDWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newark | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Crossroads High (Alternative) Newark | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Bridgepoint High Newark | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Birch Grove Intermediate Newark | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thornton Middle has a median household income of $156,672. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,210,200, with a median rent of $2,835/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| El Rancho Charter Anaheim, CA | 7.2 |
| Granite Ridge Intermediate Fresno, CA | 7.2 |
| Palms Middle Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 |
| Ramona Middle San Dimas, CA | 7.2 |
| River Heights Intermediate Eastvale, CA | 7.2 |
| Alexander Fleming Middle Lomita, CA | 7.3 |
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 is ranked #2859 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Thornton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton Middle has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornton Middle has 72.9% math proficiency and 78.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (510) 793-9090
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fremont Unified- District Enrollment
- 33,063
- Schools in District
- 44
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,175
- District Rank
- #12 of 43
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.
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