Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 4

1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 Residential students 800 6-8th graders HS Day students 600 400 200 4 3 01 -2 20 13 -2 01 2 12 20 20 11 -2 01 01 0 -2 20 10 01 9 -2 20 09 00 8 -2 20 08 00 7 -2 20 07 00 6 -2 20 06 00 5 -2 20 05 00 4 -2 04 -2 00 20 03 1 0 20 D IF F ER EN C E OF A D EC A D E Where we’ve been, where we’re going The expansion of opportunities agrees with students. As part of the self study process, surveys were distributed to students. The results came back with overwhelmingly positive student satisfaction. When asked if Thornton Academy was on the right track and if they would recommend Thornton Academy to another student, 94% and 93%, respectively, agreed. D IF F ER EN C E OF A D EC A D E an open eye to the rest of the world and bringing opportunities to them. Astronauts come here to speak. We run trips to Ireland, Africa, and other countries. They have the world at their fingertips.” Defying dire predictions of demographers about population decline,Thornton Academy student enrollment has increased 25% over the last decade, partially due to the founding of the middle school and the residential program. In his first year as headmaster, Rene Menard kicked off a mandated self-study process by appointing two dynamic teachers - Katy Nicketakis and Ben Grasso (above) - to co-chair a process involving over 200 faculty, staff members, and students who would conduct the self study. Grasso, on faculty for five years, said, “Neither of us is from Maine. We’re outsiders with an objective perspective who have become a part of this community. We welcomed this opportunity to serve.” If you’re an alum and you feel “There has been so much as though Thornton Academy change in the last ten years. To remain an independent school accredited by has changed since you The self-study process forces NEASC, the New England Association of Schools graduated ten or more years us to slow down and focus: and College, Thornton Academy must undergo a ago, you would be right. At what do we do well? What can rigorous, year-long self study every ten years in least partly. In the last ten we improve upon? It forces us order to answer: where have we been? years, Thornton Academy’s to stop and reflect,” explained where are we going? what can we do better? enrollment has grown 25% self-study co-chair Katy (see right), in part due to the Nicketakis. Having joined TA’s creation of a middle school and a boarding program that faculty ten years ago, Nicketakis has witnessed the hosts students from 21 countries. Yet, traditions run deep on changes firsthand. campus, remaining beloved by all those who join the TA “There was no middle school ten years ago. No boarding community. Nonetheless, dramatic change creates an program. There has been so much growth over the past opportunity to pause and reflect; periodic reaccreditation decade. For students, this means much more diverse by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges programming and opportunity. TA is still based heavily in requires self-reflection and study. tradition, but with more of an eye toward global citizenship, 4 POSTSCRIPTS The Hyde Library collection (see left in its new location in the newly-renovated, historic Emery Building) preserves the prior two Thornton Academy self-study reports of 1994 and 2004. POSTSCRIPTS 5