Thornhill At-A-Glance

Following is a summary about Thornhill Elementary School.  For more detailed information, please visit the relevant areas of our website.

Small school: About 370 students in K-5th grade; 16 full-time teachers, 2-3 classes per grade; part-time instructors for instrumental music, Orff music, motor skills, art, computers; school psychologist, speech therapist, 4 classroom aides.

Active principal: Mel Stenger —  over 2 decades of experience as an administrator and teacher.

Professional teachers: 18 years of work experience, on average. 100% credentialed.

High academic standards: Resulting in top 1% ranking among all CA elementary schools. 58% of 4th and 5th grade students participate in the OUSD Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program.

High behavioral standards:Reflected by leadership and character building programs:

  • Caring Schools Communities – social skills curriculum adopted in the 2011-2012 school year
  • Reading Buddies – primary classes pair with upper grade classes
  • Conflict Managers/ Junior Coaches – upper-grade students trained to mediate playground disputes and lead games during recess to encourage inclusion of all children.
  • Recycling Monitors – 1st and 5th graders who collect and sort recyclables
  • Playground Materials Monitors – responsible for distribution of yard equipment
  • Student Council  – active group of student leaders who discuss, plan and implement spirit activities and service projects
  • Lunch Monitors – 5th graders escort students to lunch and supervise lunch time
  • Cross-age tutors – primary classes pair with upper grade classes on a one-to-one basis
  • Donation drives – canned food, pennies, used books and coats for the needy

Well-stocked library: Over 11,000 books and growing; part-time librarian

Computers: 36-unit computer lab used for keyboarding and on-line research

Small class size: Average class size in last 3 years has been 20 students in kindergarten; 20 students maximum per class in grades 1-3; 31 students maximum per class in grades 4-5

Neighborhood enrollment: 100% of kindergarten class reside in the neighborhood

Diversity: Student population includes different ethnic backgrounds, gifted students, English-language learners, and special needs students.

High parent participation: 90% of parents volunteer over 20,000 hours

Strong Parent Faculty Club (PFC): Organization which directs extra curricular school activities and raises funds to support enrichment activities and facilities. The PFC typically raises ~$200,000.

OUSD Curriculum: Follows CA state standards and portions of national standards, detailed at www.ousd.k12.ca.us and http://webportal.ousd.k12.ca.us/kb_curriculum.aspx

Open Court Reading program, published by McGraw Hill Education/SRC, grades K-5, detailed at https://www.mheonline.com/discipline/narrow/1/1/22/open
Harcourt Math program, detailed at www.harcourtschool.com

Additional Thornhill PFC-Sponsored Curriculum: Music (Orff for K-2 and instrumental instruction for 3-5), library, art, computers, motor development and P.E.

After School On-Site Electives and Clubs

  • Band
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  • Drama
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  • Science
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  • Guitar
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  • Mandarin
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  • Poekoelan
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  • Dance
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  • Spanish
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  • Chess
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  • Choir
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  • Fitness
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  • Art
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  • Lego
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  • Creative Writing
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School Community Events

  • First Day of School Coffee
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  • New Family Social
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  • Fall Walkathon
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  • Winter Bazaar
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  • Halloween Parade
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  • Benefit & Auction
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  • Spring Carnival
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  • Movie Nights
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  • Music Performances
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  • Art Show
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  • Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
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  • Monthly PFC Meetings
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  • Science Fair
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  • December Holiday Celebration
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  • Lunar New Year Celebration
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  • Drama Club Play
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  • Dad’s Club Events
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Before and/or After School Care Programs

The following are the most popular fee-based programs used by Thornhill students:

  • Adventure Time Extended Day Care, on site, phone 510-339-9768; 510-658-7412 (main office)
  • Jewish Community Services, on Redwood Road, phone 510-530-9222
  • Montclair After-care, at Montclair Rec Center, phone 510-482-7812

OUSD On-Site Services

  • Hot lunches and salad bar daily
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  • Speech Pathology
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  • Special Ed services
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Thornhill Parent-Faculty Club (PFC) funds the following:

  • Thornhill’s library, librarian and books
  • Instrumental Music Program for grades 3-5
  • Orff Music Program for grades K-2 & SDC
  • Physical Education teacher
  • Computers: hardware and software, training and technical support
  • Computer Teacher
  • Teachers’ Aides
  • Teacher supply fund
  • Music Events & Assemblies
  • Art Teacher and Programs
  • Garden Project, Environmental and Site Improvements
  • Newsletter
  • Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony
  • Scholarships for some programs and field trips

Further Information about Thornhill Elementary School