Average
#100 of 302 schools in RI
Top 33% in state
Thornton School
Elementary School · Johnston
4 School Street, Johnston, RI 02919
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Johnston
#4 of 8
public schools
Rhode Island elementary schools
#60 of 172
In district
#4 of 8
Johnston
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Thornton School
Thornton School is an elementary school located in Johnston, Rhode Island, on the bustling streets of Providence County. Serving students from first to fifth grade, Thornton has a total enrollment of 346 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s academic performance stands at a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10, placing it in the 59th percentile among Rhode Island schools, specifically ranking as #124 out of 303 schools statewide.
Students show proficiency rates of 29% in ELA/Reading and 23% in Math across all grades. Thornton School is situated in a large suburban area, offering its students a blend of urban amenities and the comfort of a close-knit community setting. With room for academic growth, Thornton focuses on nurturing each child’s development and providing them with a solid educational foundation.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Thornton School — Students at Thornton School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from RI 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: 6.5/10.
How Thornton School Compares
See how Thornton School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
4 School Street, Johnston, RI 02919
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornton School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Anthony Carnevale Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Providence), which scores notably higher. Another option is Woodridge School (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Cranston), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Winsor Hill School (rated 7.0/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Johnston, see our Johnston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST ROCCO SCHOOL Johnston | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Stone Hill School Cranston | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cranston | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| George J. Peters School Cranston | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Winsor Hill School Johnston | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Western Hills Middle School Cranston | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Anthony Carnevale Elementary Providence | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Arlington School Cranston | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Governor Christopher DelSesto Providence | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Cranston High School West Cranston | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Achievement First Providence H Providence | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Gladstone Street School Cranston | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Frank D. Spaziano Elem School Providence | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| MISS LEE ANNS EARLY LEARNING CENTER Cranston | 2.0 mi | — |
| Hugh B. Bain Middle School Cranston | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Achievement First Providence Providence | 1.8 mi | 3.4 |
| AF Providence Mayoral Middle Providence | 1.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Achievement First Envision Ele Providence | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Webster Avenue School Providence | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Woodridge School Cranston | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02919 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,811
Median Home Value
$326,100
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
Population
29,473
College Educated
29.1%
Homeownership
72.4%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
42.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thornton School has a median household income of $87,811. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $326,100, with a median rent of $1,259/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Gaudet Learning Academy Middletown, RI | 6.9 |
| John J. McLaughlin Cumberland Cumberland, RI | 6.9 |
| Segue Inst for Learning Central Falls, RI | 6.9 |
| Stone Hill School Cranston, RI | 6.9 |
| Winsor Hill School Johnston, RI | 7.0 |
| Blackrock School Coventry, RI | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thornton School
What grades does Thornton School serve?
Thornton School serves students in grades 1st through 5th.
How many students attend Thornton School?
Thornton School has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornton School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thornton School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thornton School rank in RI?
Thornton School is ranked #100 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is Thornton School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornton School has 23.3% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thornton School a charter school?
No, Thornton School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thornton School a Title I school?
No, Thornton School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornton School?
62.7% of students at Thornton 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Johnston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 5th
- Enrollment
- 346
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Providence County
- Phone
- (401) 943-7369
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Johnston- District Enrollment
- 3,172
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,836
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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.
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