Needs Improvement
#64 of 64 private schools in ME
Thornton Academy
High School
438 MAIN ST, Saco, ME 04072
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
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Maine private schools
#64 of 64
In Saco
#2 of 2
public schools
Shortlisting around Thornton Academy?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Thornton Academy
High School in Saco · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
C K Burns School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Governor John Fairfield School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thornton Academy
Thornton Academy is a private high school in Saco, ME. Thornton Academy serves approximately 1,520 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Thornton Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #64 of 64 private schools in ME.
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- ME avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Thornton Academy is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
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 | 8.2 |
| Governor John Fairfield School | 7.5 |
| Young School | 8.0 |
| Saco Middle School | 9.0 |
| Saco Pre-K | 4.5 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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 8.1/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Scarborough), which scores notably higher. Another option is Old Orchard Beach High School (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Old Orchard Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Biddeford High School (rated 6.3/10, 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 | 8.2 |
| Governor John Fairfield School Saco | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| THE SCHOOL AT SWEETSER Saco | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Young School Saco | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Saco Pre-K Saco | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Biddeford High School Biddeford | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Saco Middle School Saco | 2.0 mi | 9.0 |
| John F Kennedy Memorial School Biddeford | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Biddeford Middle School Biddeford | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Biddeford Intermediate School Biddeford | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Biddeford Primary School Biddeford | 2.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Old Orchard Beach High School Old Orchard Beach | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Jameson Elementary School Old Orchard Beach | 2.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Loranger Memorial School Old Orchard Beach | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Blue Point School Scarborough | 5.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Mildred L Day School Arundel | 6.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Scarborough Middle School Scarborough | 8.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Scarborough High School Scarborough | 7.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Wentworth School Scarborough | 8.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Eight Corners Elementary School Scarborough | 9.0 mi | 7.7 |
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
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 | 4.6 |
| Bonny Eagle High School Standish, ME | 4.9 |
| Edward Little High School Auburn, ME | 5.1 |
| Sanford High School Sanford, ME | 5.1 |
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 ranks #64 of 64 private schools in ME.
What is Thornton Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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 County
- Phone
- (207) 602-4403
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