Sad News from Thornton Friends

Our friends at Thornton Friends School have decided that, due to low enrollment, they will be unable to continue in operation and are closing the school. This is a sad day for Nora, as the folks at Thornton have been long-time rivals as well as helpful colleagues over the past 30 years. Thornton and Nora (then WEHS), along with Parkmont, are about the only secondary schools left from the founding of the Washington Small Schools Association in 1988. Founded in 1973, Thornton is nine years younger than Nora, but during my early years had the more experienced leadership, a better building, more students, and set the standard that pushed us to always improve. They went out in style, defeating Nora 20-1 in what would be their final athletic contest on the softball field. It feels like a death in the family. We'll miss them.

Lest there be any concern about Nora, we are fully enrolled and staffed for next year, own our building, and have a strong (and conservatively invested) endowment. Now in our 45th year, we fully expect to be around for the next 45.