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Thornton High School


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School Stats
Student Enrollment: 
1713
White: 
31.58%
Hispanic: 
55.81%
African American: 
3.21%
Asian: 
7.71%
Native American: 
0.7%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 
0.12%
Two or More Ethnicities: 
0.88%
Percent of Students on free and reduced lunch: 
41.56%
Percent of teachers with advanced degrees: 
63%
Average years teaching experience: 
14
2011 October Count
Academic Programs
While all schools in the Five Star District follow a common and comprehensive curriculum, our school also offers some unique academic programs:

IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) Mission Statement:
The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the IBO works with school, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Thornton High School will welcome its first class of “whole school” IB/MYP students in the 2012-2013 school year.  Essentially all 9th graders will enter as IB students and be given a choice to continue (via the Diploma program) in their junior year or choose an alternative pathway to graduation.  It is important to note that the International Baccalaureate is a world renowned approach to learning that aims to develop internationally minded people who, recognize our common humanity and shared guardianship for the planet.  IB learners strive to be:  Inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.  Students graduating with an IB Diploma can potentially earn up to 24 college credits. We encourage each of you to visit our school website at www.thorntonh.adams12.org where we’ve provided a video that highlights the focus for the 2011-2012 school year.

Current Course Offerings
Contact Information
Address: 
9351 Washington
Thornton, CO 80229-3533 US
Office Phone: 
720-972-4800
Attendance Phone: 
720-972-4800
Fax: 
720-972-4999
Go directly to school Web site
School Hours
School Hours: 
7:15 am ~ 3:00 pm
Early Release Day: 
Wednesday
Early Release Time: 
Start: 7:10 am, End: 12:30 pm
Enrollment
General Enrollment: 

Here's how the enrollment process for the Five Star District works:

  • Step 1:  Check your address on our boundary locator to determine which school your student will attend. Our locator is online at
                           http://www.adams12.org/en/boundary_locator.
  • Step 2:  Pick up an enrollment packet at one of our school locations or download the forms from our website. You will need only one Household Information Packet and individual Student Information Packets for each student.
  • Step 3:  Complete your forms and gather the necessary documentation.  Documentation includes: Parent/Guardian Photo ID; Child’s Birth Certificate; Proof of Residency; Immunization Records; and prior school records.
  • Step 4:  Take your completed enrollment forms and all required documentation to your student’s school.

For additional information on our enrollment process, click here.

Get To Know Our School

Thornton High School is an urban high school that sets on the southern end of the Adams 12 Five Star school district.  THS was built in 1974 and opened its doors in 1975.  Thornton is a comprehensive high school that services 1766 students.  THS has a positive academic reputation and is home to the fourth oldest International Baccalaureate Program in the state.  The IB program (Diploma program) was established at the school in 1992, Thornton High School became authorized in 1994.  In the 2010-11 school year, Thornton High School was recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top comprehensive high schools in America, this distinction is given to school’s that have a large percentage of students taking an accelerated course of study, via Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes.  Thornton High School has a rich tradition of academic and social excellence.  Adams 12 invested in the “Thornton Corridor” by announcing that all of the school’s feeders would seek authorization as IB schools in the Primary Years Program and Middle Years Program.  The K-12 IB continuum in Adams School District 12 will culminate at THS with the Middle Years Program and Diploma Program. This will undoubtedly continue 35 years of academic and social excellence at the school.

Vision Statement:
Thornton High will be a high performing school that provides a continuum of learning for IB students along the Thornton corridor, THS will provide an environment that promotes:

* A viable authentic curriculum
* Personalization of the learning experience for every student
* In an atmosphere of democratic decision-making

Mission:
Total Commitment to High Achievement and Success for All.

Athletics
  • Boys & Girls Cross Country
  • Football
  • Boys Golf
  • Girls Gymnastics
  • Boys Soccer
  • Softball
  • Boys Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Boys & Girls Basketball
  • Girls Swimming
  • Wrestling
  • Baseball
  • Girls Golf
  • Girls Soccer
  • Boys Swimming
  • Girls Tennis
  • Boys & Girls Track and Field
School Resources
SchoolVIEW: 
The Colorado Department of Education's new Web site enables users to gauge school performance, access student data and learn about student achievement efforts.
Principal
Principal: 
Johnny Terrell
Assistant Principal: 
Dan Troxell
Assistant Principal: 
Jennifer Kirsksey
Assistant Principal: 
Eyan Shields
Points of Pride
  • Thornton High School has been recognized by the Colorado Department of Education as a High Academic Growth School for the past two years.
2008 Bond & Mill Info
Original Construction Date: 
1974
Total Gross Square Footage: 
235,930sq. ft.
Student Enrollment: 
1,996
School Construction Budget: 
$1,273,344
Enrollment As Of: 
2007
School Repairs: 
Replace most doors and hardware. Replace selected interior finishes that have exceeded their useful life. <br /> Repair damaged sidewalks and stairs. Repair retaining wall at soccer field.  Repair selected curb and gutter and concrete and asphalt paving.
Student Safety: 
Install electronic card access control. Install automatic lockout system for emergencies.
Classroom Technology: 
Replace obsolete computer systems and upgrade network infrastructure as necessary.
2004 Bond Info
Original Construction Date: 
1974
Total Gross Square Footage: 
235,891sq. ft.
Student Enrollment: 
2,297
Total Investment: 
$5,135,563
Project Status: 

Design of the Thornton High School renovation project started in November 2007. The project is currently on schedule with a completion date set for mid-August 2008.

Project Upgrades: 

The existing resource room is being relocated and the existing space converted into two multipurpose classrooms.  The gym area was renovated with a new wood floor and new bleachers.

Work Planned: 

Improve Classrooms and Interior Space
Walls were painted in most instructional areas, corridors, and office spaces. Carpet and tile more than 15 years old was replaced. Vinyl flooring and vinyl clad walls were replaced or resurfaced. Ceiling tile which was stained, mismatched or damaged was replaced. Cabinets, countertops, room doors and hardware were repaired or replaced as necessary. Restroom areas were renovated as needed.  New tack strips and white boards were installed.

Information Technology
Network wiring for computers was updated and obsolete networking equipment was replaced.

Mechanical/Electrical
All heating and air circulation systems were upgraded and repaired as necessary. Air conditioning was repaired and upgraded as needed.  Electrical service panels and equipment were upgraded as necessary to meet current standards.

Exterior Site Work and Repair
All exterior sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and other paved areas were repaired as necessary.