Thornton’s public schools outscore 79% of New Hampshire districts
52% of students in Thornton’s public schools are proficient in math, above the New Hampshire average (40%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Thornton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New Hampshire, not nationally.
From New Hampshire state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Thornton’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 168 New Hampshire towns with household incomes within a quarter of Thornton’s, its schools beat 91%, higher than their 79% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Thornton runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Thornton Central School (K–8) is Thornton’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Pemi-Baker Regional School District with Ashland, Campton, Holderness, Plymouth, Rumney and Wentworth: Plymouth Regional High School in Plymouth. The high school’s own results earn a B. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 52% across both districts in spring 2022, against 51% and 40% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Thornton spends $33,399 per student and Pemi-Baker Regional $24,161, against $23,296 across New Hampshire (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Thornton’s grade
A−: better than 79% of New Hampshire school districts, #20 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Hampshire average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Thornton, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Thornton
Thornton Central School
Grades K–8 · 172 students · 7:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Thornton
Thornton Central School
Grades K–8 · 172 students · 7:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Thornton
Thornton Central School
Grades K–8 · 172 students · 7:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Thornton
Thornton Central School
Grades K–8 · 172 students · 7:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Thornton
Thornton Central School
Grades K–8 · 172 students · 7:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Thornton
Thornton Central School
Grades K–8 · 172 students · 7:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Thornton
Thornton Central School
Grades K–8 · 172 students · 7:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Thornton
Thornton Central School
Grades K–8 · 172 students · 7:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Thornton
Thornton Central School
Grades K–8 · 172 students · 7:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Thornton
Plymouth Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 651 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Plymouth
10th grade in Thornton
Plymouth Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 651 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Plymouth
Thornton runs its own schools through grade 8 (Thornton School District). From grade 9, students attend the Pemi-Baker Regional School District, shared with Ashland, Campton, Holderness, Plymouth, Rumney and Wentworth. Its high school is in Plymouth. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Thornton
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Thornton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Hampshire towns that share Thornton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Thornton | A− | Thornton K–8 · Pemi-Baker Regional 9–12 |
| Campton | B+ | Campton PK–8 · Pemi-Baker Regional 9–12 |
| Woodstock | B | Lincoln-Woodstock |
| Waterville Valley | — | Waterville Valley |
Every school in Thornton
2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New Hampshire’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Thornton’s schools
Are Thornton’s schools good?
By New Hampshire’s own tests, yes: the public schools Thornton children attend outscore 79% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #20 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 91%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Thornton in?
Two districts: Thornton School District runs grades K–8, and Pemi-Baker Regional School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Ashland, Campton, Holderness, Plymouth, Rumney and Wentworth.
Where do Thornton kids go to high school?
Plymouth Regional High School in Plymouth, with 651 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Thornton’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Pemi-Baker Regional School District graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire.
How much does Thornton spend per student?
$33,399 in Thornton School District and $24,161 in Pemi-Baker Regional School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Thornton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Thornton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New Hampshire. Stars are from neighbors.