Student AchievementThornhill Elementary School is proud to be amongst the select group of schools recognized in 2016 by U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King as a National Blue Ribbon School based on overall academic excellence.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The prestigious award affirms the tremendous work of the Thornhill community—from the administration and faculty to staff, students and parents—in creating an environment where students feel safe, welcome, and nurtured, and where they can thrive in mastering challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag gracing a school’s building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. Thornhill is also honored to have been named a 2010 California Distinguished School. This distinction is given to “the state’s most exemplary and inspiring schools.” Chabot, Montclair, Peralta, and Thornhill share the honor with just 480 of the state’s more than five thousand elementary schools, and prevailed in a year where the selection criteria was, according to the California Department of Education, “more stringent than ever.” Notably, Thornhill was named a California Distinguished School in 2000, 2006 and 2010. Thornhill has a reputation for having high academic and behavioral standards that help give students the tools they need to further their role in society. The staff takes great satisfaction in the knowledge that our students continue to build upon their education here and achieve success as citizens in our community. |
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Thornhill Elementary School is a neighborhood school situated in the Oakland Hills. About 31% of our students come from outside the school's attendance area. The ethnic background of our students is as follows: 55% European, 12% Asian, 11% African, 10% Latino, and 9% other. About 6% are English Learners and 13% of our students are low income.
Our staff of highly qualified teachers provides academic curriculum to all students as well as a program of social/emotional skills. Thornhill in its 4th year of PBIS (positive, behavioral, intervention, supports) with this approach or school values are to be SAFE, MINDFUL AND RESPONSIBLE.
We have 396 students in TK-5th grade; 16 full-time teachers, 2-3 classes per grade; part-time instructors for instrumental music, PE art, computers; school psychologist, speech therapist, and 5 classroom aides. All 3rd graders learn Violin and all 4th and 5th graders are expected to play stringed instrument or percussion. Concurrently, all TK-2nd grades learn African Drumming/Dance. We have many traditions both musical and seasonal that enrich our student’s education.
Our students at our school are involved in other projects and programs to build their social and citizenship skills: Buddies: primary classes pair with upper grade classes for academic or social activities. 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. Donation drives: canned food, pennies, used books and coats for the needy. We have a three year plan.
Over the next three years Thornhill Elementary School will:
Our staff of highly qualified teachers provides academic curriculum to all students as well as a program of social/emotional skills. Thornhill in its 4th year of PBIS (positive, behavioral, intervention, supports) with this approach or school values are to be SAFE, MINDFUL AND RESPONSIBLE.
We have 396 students in TK-5th grade; 16 full-time teachers, 2-3 classes per grade; part-time instructors for instrumental music, PE art, computers; school psychologist, speech therapist, and 5 classroom aides. All 3rd graders learn Violin and all 4th and 5th graders are expected to play stringed instrument or percussion. Concurrently, all TK-2nd grades learn African Drumming/Dance. We have many traditions both musical and seasonal that enrich our student’s education.
Our students at our school are involved in other projects and programs to build their social and citizenship skills: Buddies: primary classes pair with upper grade classes for academic or social activities. 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. Donation drives: canned food, pennies, used books and coats for the needy. We have a three year plan.
Over the next three years Thornhill Elementary School will:
- Continue to be a Safe, Mindful and Responsible. Our staff work diligently to create a secure campus where a culture of calm prevails.
- Provide our students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities as a foundation for SUCCESS in COLLEGE and CAREERS, and to ensure that they can read, write, speak, think critically and reason mathematically for success in middle and high school.
- Have HIGH QUALITY and EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION with excellent teachers for every day of the school year.
- Refine our skill set and school culture as a Professional Learning Community.
- Develop and implement a system of intervention support to provide targeted intervention for students in need and differentiation for those who have already met grade level standards.
