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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.9%
Math vs. State Avg+38.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,535

Thornton Middle — Students at Thornton Middle score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

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 72.9%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 78.3%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
74%
ELA
76%
2024
Math
72.7%
ELA
78.8%

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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
70th percentile in CA
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,542/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fremont). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

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