Excellent
#53 of 480 schools in NH
Top 11% in state
Thornton Central School
Elementary School · Thornton School District
1886 NH Rte. 175, Thornton, NH 03285
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Hampshire schools
#53 of 480
School environment
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Thornton Central School
Elementary School in Thornton · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Campton Elementary School
3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
White Mountain Montessori School
9.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thornton Central School
Thornton Central School is a public elementary school in Thornton, NH, part of Thornton School District. Thornton Central School serves approximately 173 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 7.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Thornton Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #53 of 480 schools in NH.
Structured state assessment records for Thornton Central School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- NH avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 173 students, Thornton Central School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 7.2:1 students to teachers, Thornton Central School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Thornton Central School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thornton Central School — Students at Thornton Central School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from NH state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.
How Thornton Central School Compares
See how Thornton Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1886 NH Rte. 175, Thornton, NH 03285
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornton Central School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Holderness Central School (rated 9.1/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Holderness), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Plymouth Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Plymouth), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Waterville Valley Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Waterville Valley), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Thornton, see our Thornton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 03285 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,094
Median Home Value
$289,700
Median Rent
$1,269/mo
Population
2,763
College Educated
42.3%
Homeownership
83.3%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
47.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Enfield Village School Enfield, NH | 8.4 |
| Lincoln Akerman School Hampton Falls, NH | 8.4 |
| The Birches Academy of Academics - Art A Public Charter Sch Salem, NH | 8.4 |
| Bethlehem Elementary School Bethlehem, NH | 8.2 |
| CARDIGAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Canaan, NH | 8.2 |
| New Durham Elementary School New Durham, NH | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thornton Central School
What grades does Thornton Central School serve?
Thornton Central School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Thornton Central School?
Thornton Central School has an enrollment of approximately 173 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornton Central School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thornton Central School is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thornton Central School rank in NH?
Thornton Central School ranks #53 of 480 schools in NH.
What is Thornton Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Thornton Central School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thornton Central School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Thornton Central School a charter school?
No, Thornton Central School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thornton Central School a Title I school?
No, Thornton Central School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornton Central School?
20.2% of students at Thornton Central School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 173
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Grafton County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.4%
- Phone
- (603) 726-8904
Resources & Links
District
Thornton School District- District Enrollment
- 173
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,427
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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