When calling our school you will hear “Welcome to Matthew Thornton School, where children come first!”  Our entire staff is dedicated to providing excellence in education to all of our students, as we work in conjunction with their families to support this goal.    Our students are divided into 36 classrooms from grades 1 to 5. The administrative staff includes a principal, assistant principal and special education building director. In addition to classroom teachers, each room has a part-time classroom assistant assigned to help the teacher in providing for the needs of the students in the room.  We also have 12 full or part-time special education teachers, 2 full time guidance counselors, 2 occupational therapists, 3 speech and language pathologists, a library media specialist, 2 nurses, 2 reading specialists, 2 reading teachers, art teachers, music teachers, physical education teachers, and enrichment teachers.  Our staff also includes an educational evaluator, a school resource officer, a substance abuse counselor, a computer education assistant, library assistants, regular education and special education instructional assistants, office clerical staff, custodians, and cafeteria support.

In addition to the learning activities that occur during the day, students also have an opportunity to participate in numerous activities throughout the year.  Our intermediate guidance counselor works in connection with other staff members to provide a Peer Mediation group, Boys Respect group, and Girls Respect group for grade 5 students. Our music department provides a school band for grade 5, and an orchestra and chorus for grades 4 and 5. The art department offers opportunities for students to participate in art contests, including the PTA Reflections program.  The art teachers also work to engage the students in art enrichment activities through the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester.  The physical education department offers cross country running for grade five students as well as intramural activities for all grade levels at various times throughout the year. Our reading specialists work with the PTA to provide the Books and Beyond reading incentive program which encourages students to read for enjoyment throughout the year.  The Special Curriculum department facilitates several special programs including Destination Imagination teams, Images of Greatness, Enrichment Clusters, and our Key Enrichment program. 

Many of these programs are funded and supported through our award winning PTA.  The PTA provides a wealth of programs and presentations for the students throughout the year that connect with the areas of study in the curriculum.  They also supply funding for field trips, Red Ribbon Week, and Teacher Appreciation Week.  On a monthly basis the PTA coordinates our school store, bake sales and popcorn sales, and uses the funds to support our Sum+It math enrichment program, Math and Science Backpack Program, scholarships for student activities for students who need assistance, as well as some of the other items already mentioned.  The PTA sponsored activities include the Haunted Harvest Happening (our fall carnival), Winter Wonderland Breakfast, and Turn Off the TV Week activities which provide the community with opportunities to get together for fun family focused events.

Thanks to the support of the community and our excellent staff, Matthew Thornton is a child centered, family focused school where everyone works together to fulfill the district mission of “giving wings to children’s dreams.”