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Needs Improvement

#64 of 64 private schools in ME

Thornton Academy

High School

438 MAIN ST, Saco, ME 04072

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Thornton Academy compares to the 5 public schools in Saco, ME

Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
This School
vs
12.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
1,520
This School
vs
385
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
3.8
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 83% vs 0%
Asian 7.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.5% vs 0%
Black 3% vs 0%
Thornton Academy Saco Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C- 1.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 15.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,085
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 30%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 1,520
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)

White 83.0%
Asian 7.8%
Hispanic 4.5%
Black 3.0%
Two or More 1.6%
Native American 0.1%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,173/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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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