Needs Improvement
#64 of 64 private schools in ME
Thornton Academy
High School
438 MAIN ST, Saco, ME 04072
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on ME statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
1,520
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
1,520
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Saco
#2 of 2
public schools
Maine high schools
#16 of 16
About Thornton Academy
Thornton Academy serves 1,520 students in grades 6 through 12 in Saco, Maine, operating as a regular public school with 96 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. This sizable institution provides education across both middle and high school years, making it one of the larger schools in Maine's educational landscape. The school currently ranks 62nd out of 64 schools statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 1.1 out of 10, indicating significant room for academic growth and development.
While specific test performance data isn't available, the school's administration and community are positioned to focus on improving student outcomes and educational opportunities. Located at 438 Main Street, Thornton Academy sits in Saco's mid-size suburban setting within a community that shows strong economic stability. The surrounding 04072 ZIP code area is home to 20,446 residents with a median household income of $81,326 and median home values of $345,200.
The neighborhood demonstrates a solid educational foundation, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 8.0%, suggesting a community invested in educational success and student achievement.
What Parents Should Know
As a private school, Thornton Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $19,888
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $21,788
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.10x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 95%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $59.4M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 1,520 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Thornton Academy compares to the 5 public schools in Saco, ME
Student Demographics
All Schools in Saco
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Thornton Academy (this school) | 3.8 |
| C K Burns School | 5.5 |
| Governor John Fairfield School | 7.4 |
| Young School | 7.4 |
| Saco Middle School | 7.7 |
| Saco Pre-K | 6.7 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in ME.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in ME
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
438 MAIN ST, Saco, ME 04072
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornton Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Scarborough High School (rated 7.0/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Scarborough), which scores notably higher. Another option is Old Orchard Beach High School (rated 6.8/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Old Orchard Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Biddeford High School (rated 6.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Biddeford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Saco, see our Saco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| C K Burns School Saco | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Governor John Fairfield School Saco | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| THE SCHOOL AT SWEETSER Saco | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Young School Saco | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Saco Pre-K Saco | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Biddeford High School Biddeford | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Saco Middle School Saco | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| John F Kennedy Memorial School Biddeford | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Biddeford Middle School Biddeford | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Biddeford Intermediate School Biddeford | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Biddeford Primary School Biddeford | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Old Orchard Beach High School Old Orchard Beach | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Jameson Elementary School Old Orchard Beach | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Loranger Memorial School Old Orchard Beach | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Blue Point School Scarborough | 5.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Mildred L Day School Arundel | 6.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Scarborough Middle School Scarborough | 8.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Scarborough High School Scarborough | 7.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Wentworth School Scarborough | 8.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Eight Corners Elementary School Scarborough | 9.0 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 04072 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,328
Median Home Value
$370,300
Median Rent
$1,268/mo
Population
20,636
College Educated
40.5%
Homeownership
69.9%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Median Age
43.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thornton Academy has a median household income of $84,328. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $370,300, with a median rent of $1,268/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Lewiston High School Lewiston, ME | 3.5 |
| Oxford Hills Comprehensive H S Paris, ME | 4.8 |
| Sanford High School Sanford, ME | 4.9 |
| South Portland High School South Portland, ME | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thornton Academy
What grades does Thornton Academy serve?
Thornton Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Thornton Academy?
Thornton Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,520 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornton Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Thornton Academy is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Thornton Academy rank in ME?
Thornton Academy is ranked #64 out of 64 private schools in ME.
What is Thornton Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton Academy has a composite rating of 3.8 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.
Is Thornton Academy a private school?
Yes, Thornton Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Thornton Academy a religious school?
No, Thornton Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,520
- Gender Split
- 54% M / 46% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 96
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- YORK
- Phone
- (207) 602-4403
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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