Thornton Township High School
General Information
About
Thornton Township High School is a public secondary school located in Harvey, Illinois, serving students in grades 9 through 12. Founded in 1899, the school is part of the Thornton Township High School District 205. With a suburban campus in the south suburbs of Chicago, Thornton High is often simply referred to as “Thornton.” It has a long history of educating a mostly African American and Hispanic student population, with many students coming from surrounding communities such as Harvey, South Holland, Riverdale, Dixmoor, Markham, Blue Island, and Phoenix. The school’s team name is the Wildcats, and its colors are purple and white.
While the school has faced academic challenges, particularly in proficiency test scores, it continues to serve as a vital institution for its community, offering extracurricular programs, athletics, and opportunities for students to build toward post-high-school careers. The mission of its district centers on developing “productive citizens who are enrolled, enlisted, or employed upon high school completion.”
Contact Information
Address: 15001 S. Broadway Ave, Harvey, Illinois, 60426, United States
Phone Number: (708) 225-4150
Email Address: (Not publicly listed) — For inquiries, the district site suggests contacting Thornton Township High School District 205 via their main administrative channels.
School Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1899 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| School Type | Public Secondary |
| District | Thornton Township High School District 205 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~13.82:1 |
| Enrollment | ~1,645 students (2023–2024) |
| Mascot | Wildcat |
| School Colors | Purple and White |
| Accreditation | Illinois State Board of Education |
Thornton Township High School Rankings
| Category | Rank / Status |
|---|---|
| State (Illinois) Testing Rank | Bottom 50% (combined math & reading) |
| District 205 Rank (Academics) | Rated “C –” by Niche |
| Proficiency – Math | ~7% |
| Proficiency – Reading / Language Arts | ~5% |
Thornton Township High School Academics
Faculties / Departments
Thornton Township High School, as a typical U.S. public high school, is organized through academic departments rather than “faculties.” Key departments likely include:
- English / Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- Social Studies / History
- Physical Education / Health
- Fine Arts (Visual Arts, Music, Drama)
- Career & Technical Education (CTE)
- Special Education
- Foreign Languages
- Guidance / Counseling
Courses and Programs / Majors
Since Thornton is a high school rather than a university, its “programs” refer to the classes and tracks offered:
- Standard high school diploma coursework (core subjects)
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses (Thornton offers about 10 AP courses per Niche)
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs (common in U.S. high schools, though specific CTE pathways not publicly detailed)
- Special education programs
- College-preparatory and vocational guidance
- Extracurricular academic clubs (e.g., debate, speech, drama) — historically, Thornton has strong performance in speech/debate and drama.
Online Learning
There is limited publicly available information suggesting a fully developed online high-school diploma program for Thornton Township High School. The school’s primary academic models appear to be in-person learning. As with many U.S. public high schools, some online or hybrid course options may exist (especially for credit recovery, summer school, or advanced placement), but specific structured online degree programs are not prominently documented.
Average Test Scores
| Test | Average / Typical Score |
|---|---|
| SAT (Thornton) | ~1000 |
| ACT (Thornton) | ~21 |
| AP Exam Pass Rate | ~16% |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Thornton Township High School has a four-year graduation rate of approximately 75%, according to both Niche and PublicSchoolReview. This is below the Illinois state average. The graduation rate suggests that while a majority complete high school within four years, there are significant challenges in student retention and academic performance.
Thornton Township High School Admissions
Since Thornton Township High School is a public high school, its admissions process differs significantly from a university:
GPA Range and Test Score Range
- There is no formal GPA “cut-off” or competitive GPA requirement as in universities.
- For standardized tests, while not used for “admission,” the average SAT is around 1000, and the average ACT is about 21.
Acceptance Rate
For public high schools in the U.S., there is typically no “acceptance rate” because students attend based on district zoning. Therefore, there’s no meaningful acceptance-rate table.
Application Requirements
As a zoned public high school, Thornton Township High School does not require a competitive application like a university. Enrollment is generally based on residence within the school district (District 205). Incoming freshmen would normally register through their middle school or directly with the district’s enrollment office, providing proof of address, immunization records, previous school transcripts, and other standard enrollment documents. For special programs (such as advanced courses or CTE), there may be additional counselor-driven placement, but general admission is open to students living in the district.
Application Process
- Confirm you live within Thornton Township High School District 205 boundaries.
- Contact the district or school registrar to initiate enrollment.
- Submit required documentation (proof of residency, immunization, previous transcripts).
- Meet with school counselors to determine course placement (standard, honors, AP, etc.).
- Attend orientation or registration sessions for incoming 9th graders.
Application Deadlines / Important Dates
Because Thornton is not a university, there are no standard “application deadlines” comparable to college. Students typically enroll during the summer before the school year begins. Specific district enrollment dates may vary year to year, so parents or students should check with District 205 at the start of the summer for registration windows.
Essay Prompt
Not applicable — public high schools like Thornton do not require personal essays or application essays for general enrollment.
Scholarships
Thornton Township High School offers scholarship opportunities through its district and local partnerships. For example, the school hosts a “Transition Conference” where scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors; in recent years, this has resulted in significant scholarship funding being distributed to students preparing for post-secondary education. Additionally, students often apply for external scholarships (local, state, and national) as part of their college preparation efforts.
Tuition and Fees
As a public school, Thornton Township High School does not charge tuition for residents of District 205. The cost is covered through public funding. There may be incidental fees (e.g., for extracurricular activities, labs, or specific programs), but there is no standard tuition for attendance.
Student Profile and Demographics — Thornton Township High School
Student Demographics
The student body at Thornton Township High School is predominantly minority: approximately 97% of students are identified as minority, with the majority being Black, and a significant Hispanic representation. Gender distribution is roughly balanced since it is a coeducational school. Age-wise, the student population is typical for grades 9–12 (ages ~14–18).
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
A substantial portion of the student population comes from low-income backgrounds. According to SchoolDigger, about 95% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high economic need among the majority of students. There is also support for students with disabilities through special education services, typical for public high schools, though detailed percentages of students with disabilities are not publicly broken out in recent summary data.
Student Body Composition
| Category | Number / Percentage |
|---|---|
| Total Students (Enrollment) | ~1,645 (2023–2024) |
| Minority Enrollment | ~97% |
| Graduation Rate | ~75% (four-year) |
| Free / Reduced Lunch Eligibility | ~95% |
University Diversity
Thornton Township High School is highly diverse in terms of race and socioeconomic status. With nearly all students (around 97%) identifying as minority, the school reflects a strong presence of African American and Hispanic communities. This level of diversity can foster a culturally rich environment where students draw on a variety of perspectives and life experiences. However, such demographic representation also comes with challenges, particularly in addressing systemic inequalities: the very high percentage of low-income students suggests economic stratification that may affect access to resources, academic supports, and extracurricular opportunities. The school’s commitment to preparing students for post-high-school success is especially important in this context, as the district’s mission emphasizes “enrolled, enlisted, or employed upon high school completion.”
Average Earnings
Given that Thornton Township High School is a secondary school and not a university, individual student earnings post-graduation are not typically tracked in the same way as with higher education alumni. However, we can infer from its demographics and graduation data that many students may face economic challenges after high school. The high proportion of low-income families could mean that a significant number of graduates enter the workforce or further education in financially constrained circumstances. Scholarships, district-led transition programs, and post-secondary counseling become critical in helping students access college or vocational training, thereby improving their future earning potential. While specific average earnings data for graduates is not publicly reported, the school’s support structures aim to help students navigate toward opportunities that may enhance economic mobility.
Thornton Township High School Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Thornton Township High School employs around 119 full-time teaching staff. The student-teacher ratio is approximately 13.82:1, indicating that class sizes are moderate and the potential for meaningful interaction between students and teachers exists. The faculty includes department teachers across core subjects (English, Math, Science, Social Studies), as well as educators in electives, special education, and career/technical education pathways. There are also administrative staff, counselors, and support staff aligned with the school’s mission to support student transitions to employment, military enlistment, or further education.
Faculty Profiles
While specific individual faculty profiles are not broadly publicized, Thornton Township High School has historically been recognized for its strength in the performing arts: its drama and speech teams have achieved state championships in events such as drama (1985, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2019), group interpretation, and individual events. This suggests that the school has experienced and dedicated faculty in areas like theater, public speaking, and performance. In athletics, the school has produced state champions in boys’ basketball (1933, 1966), football (1991), and wrestling (1954, 1955, 1959), indicating a long tradition of coaching excellence. The combination of strong arts and athletics programming points to faculty who are not only educators but mentors supporting students to reach high levels of achievement and possibly preparing them for college-level performance or competition.
Thornton Township High School Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
As a public high school, Thornton Township High School does not offer on-campus housing. Students attend as day students, living in their local communities within District 205 boundaries, such as Harvey, South Holland, Markham, Riverdale, Blue Island, Dixmoor, and Phoenix. Daily life revolves around the school’s suburban campus with facilities for academics, athletics, and extracurriculars. Lunch, after-school activities, sports practices, and student events take place on campus, but housing is arranged by students’ families in the community rather than through school-provided dormitories.
Transportation
Thornton Township High School is accessible via local road networks in the southern Chicago suburbs, and many students likely commute by car, school buses, or public transportation. As part of a suburban district, it may benefit from school-provided bus services for students living in outlying parts of the district. Public transportation options exist in the South Suburbs of Chicago, though the availability and convenience depend on the student’s precise location. On campus, mobility is standard for a high school: hallways, classrooms, gymnasiums, and extracurricular spaces are arranged to serve a four-grade student body, with students navigating daily between academic, social, and athletic zones.