Public School Review - Established 2003

Thornton High School vs. Terra Nova High School

Should you attend Thornton High School or Terra Nova High School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Thornton High School
115 First Ave.
Daly City, CA 94014
: 
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Terra Nova High School
1450 Terra Nova Blvd.
Pacifica, CA 94044
: 
8/
10
Top 30%
Top Rankings

Thornton High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 10%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 5%)

Terra Nova High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 10%)
Overview
Serving 116 students in grades 9-12, Thornton High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤10% (which is lower than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is <50% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is lower than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 94% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Serving 697 students in grades 9-12, Terra Nova High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 30-34% (which is approximately equal to the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 70-74% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is lower than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
School Type
Alternative
n/a
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
Total Students
116 students
697 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Thornton High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Terra Nova High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
56% | 44%
54% | 46%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Thornton High School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Terra Nova High School.
Total Classroom Teachers
6 teachers
39 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Thornton High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Terra Nova High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
18:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Thornton High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Jefferson Union High School District and the state of California, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Terra Nova High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Jefferson Union High School District and the state of California, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#6190 out of 9523 schools in CA
(Bottom 50%)
#2400 out of 9523 schools in CA
(Top 30%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Thornton High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Terra Nova High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
≤10%
(Bottom 50% in CA)
30-34%
(Top 50% in CA)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Thornton High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Jefferson Union High School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Terra Nova High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Jefferson Union High School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
<50%
(Top 50% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
70-74%
(Top 20% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Thornton High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Jefferson Union High School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Terra Nova High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Jefferson Union High School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
<50%
(Top 20% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
45-49%
(Top 20% in CA)(21-22 School Year Data)
65-69%
(Bottom 50% in CA)
90-94%
(Top 30% in CA)
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Thornton High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Jefferson Union High School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Terra Nova High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Jefferson Union High School District and California public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Thornton High School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Terra Nova High School by grade.
Grade 9 Students
2
169
Grade 10 Students
6
172
Grade 11 Students
36
183
Grade 12 Students
72
173

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Thornton High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Terra Nova High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
% Asian
23%
13%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Thornton High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Terra Nova High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hispanic
52%
28%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Thornton High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Terra Nova High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
4%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Thornton High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Terra Nova High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
6%
44%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Thornton High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Terra Nova High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
3%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Thornton High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2014-15 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Terra Nova High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2014-15 school year.
% Two or more races
11%
13%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Thornton High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Terra Nova High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Jefferson Union High School District and in California, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.67
0.70
This chart showcases the diversity score of Thornton High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Jefferson Union High School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Terra Nova High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Jefferson Union High School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
56%
17%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Thornton High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Jefferson Union High School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Terra Nova High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Jefferson Union High School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
(20-21 School Year Data)
1%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Thornton High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Jefferson Union High School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2020-21 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Terra Nova High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Jefferson Union High School District and California, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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