Thornton Academy

I am from China and a Thornton Academy alumnus, graduating in 2025. I spent my entire 4 years here and it’s the best decision in my life. I came to Thornton Academy in 2021 during covid. Me and my families plan is to let me study abroad for a year before going back to China to finish high school. I was 15 years old, really shy and was scared to speak in a language I wasn’t comfortable with. But I got used to the life here because the dorm parents are so supportive. They encouraged me to open up to the people around me and hosted many events that helped me and people around me become more confident. I made friends here and built connections that I never thought were possible.Throughout these four years, the teachers have been extremely professional and always willing to help. They makes academic plan \for everybody and helped me a lot with my college applications.I am now studying business at Rutgers University, and without Thornton Academy, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.

I am a dorm student from China and have stayed at Thornton Academy for my entire high school life. When I first arrived in 2022, I was 14 years old, dependent and needing help with almost everything. The dorm parents and students were extremely enthusiastic and always willing to help me in every aspect of life, including academics, sports, and friendships. It truly felt like a second home.
The diversity of courses offered by the school and the kindness of the teachers made me passionate about gaining new knowledge every day. Over my four years at TA, I have grown and changed a lot. I’ve matured, learned responsibility, set meaningful life goals, developed independence, overall became a better person. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the experiences and support I got at Thornton Academy.