Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2019 | Page 8
Capital Improvements Through The Years
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From the late 1950s through the early
1970s, the post-WWII baby-boom boost
in enrollment, as well as the birth of the
school’s international exchange program,
invited the addition of new arts classrooms;
a larger cafeteria; and the Edith Scammon
Science building. The doors of the current
gymnasium, named for prominent TA
alumnus William S. Linnell 1903, opened
in 1963.
In 1996, the campus increased by more than
50,000 square feet with the construction of
the arts wing and its 500-seat auditorium,
permanent art installation space, and eight
new classrooms. Eleven years later, the first
of several residential dormitories opened;
and in 2015, TA students celebrated the
arrival of a large, on-campus dance studio;
and state-of-the-art New Media and STEM
Centers. Two hundred years after its birth,
TA’s commitment to providing resources
and facilities that serve all students remains
strong.
DID YOU KNOW?
Our independent school status prohibits us
from receiving public funding for critical
initiatives. While public schools fund campus
updates through referendum-approved, multi-
million-dollar bonds and increased property
taxes, TA has always generated capital project
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This saves the city of Saco from the burden of
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community resource!
8
* Timeline does not include all campus updates.
Located at the corner of
Main and Fairfield Streets,
the newly constructed and
re-located main building
housed 108 students.
TA becomes a multi-building campus!
Thirty-seven Saco residents
The original library, with
petition the Massachusetts
its four marble columns, is
legislature to establish a pri-
situated at the front of
vate school. A site for “the
campus. Thornton Hall
Old Thornton Academy” is
currently holds Latin,
selected on School Street.
Greek, and Chinese
classes.
1957
ince its founding in 1811, Thornton
Academy has been a center of
innovation, inspiration, and
community. Our well-established
commitment to preparing students for a
changing world can be seen in our campus
map. Decade by decade, new structures and
spaces were thoughtfully placed and designed
to suit the needs of an ever-changing world
and school community.
CAMPUS WINS
A
significant
increase in
enrollment
motivates Trustees to
turn to alumni for support.
Their efforts yield the John
S. Locke building, which
provides essential classroom
and meeting space.
The Victory Bell is
relocated to the top of
the annex, which was
built in 1931.