Very Good
#91 of 480 schools in NH
Top 19% 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
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
New Hampshire elementary schools
#65 of 280
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Thornton Central School
Thornton Central School serves 173 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in this picturesque New Hampshire community. With an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1 across its 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides an intimate learning environment where individual attention flourishes. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking 49th among New Hampshire's 483 elementary schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.
Students achieve solid proficiency rates of 62% in both English Language Arts and mathematics, reflecting the school's commitment to foundational academic skills across all grade levels. Thornton Central draws from a stable community where families have established deep roots. The surrounding neighborhood shows economic stability with a median household income of $82,593 and home values averaging $273,900.
With 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 7.7%, the community demonstrates strong educational values that support student success. The school operates in New Hampshire's scenic Grafton County, where the rural setting provides students with a close-knit educational experience amid the natural beauty of the White Mountain region.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 173 students, Thornton Central School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, Thornton Central School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Thornton Central School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 6 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: 7.0/10.
How Thornton Central School Compares
See how Thornton Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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 9.5/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Holderness), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lin-Wood Public School (Elem) (rated 9.4/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Lincoln), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Plymouth Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Plymouth), which scores slightly higher. 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thornton Central School has a median household income of $81,094. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,700, with a median rent of $1,269/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Madison Elementary School Madison, NH | 7.9 |
| Carpenter School Wolfeboro, NH | 7.8 |
| Boscawen Elementary School Boscawen, NH | 8.2 |
| Bristol Elementary School Bristol, NH | 8.2 |
| CARDIGAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Canaan, NH | 8.2 |
| Charlestown Primary School Charlestown, NH | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #91 out of 480 schools in NH.
What is Thornton Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton Central School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Central School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornton Central School has 63.7% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (603) 726-8904
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Thornton School District- District Enrollment
- 173
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,427
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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