In a high school setting, a dean is often thought of as someone you see when you are in trouble. At Thornton Academy, a dean at the high school level is not just a disciplinarian, but also a teacher, an advisor, a friend, a mentor and a whole lot more.

Meet the Deans From left to right are Cathy Paradis, Dean for the Class of 2010; Kevin Kezal, Dean for the Class of 2008; Greg Paradis, Dean for the Class of 2007; and Kelli Corrigan, Dean for the Class of 2009.

At Thornton, being a dean is about going the extra mile to build solid relationships with students and their families. We believe that by connecting with all students on an individual level—listening to their concerns, celebrating their successes, encouraging their involvement in activities or sports, maintaining an open dialogue with their families—they are more likely to successfully navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence. We also believe this personalized approach to education contributes to student achievement, both academically and personally, boosting student confidence and a sense of belonging that can lead to improved attendance and a safer academic environment.

Here's how the program works:

Four class deans help guide students within each graduating class throughout their four high school years at Thornton Academy. Each class dean spends alternate days in the classroom teaching his or her respective discipline. When a dean is not teaching, he or she can be found working to establish and maintain the lines of communication between students, parents, teachers, guidance and special services. For instance, during his or her day outside of the classroom, a dean may be found talking with a student regarding attendance, meeting with a parent to develop a personal learning strategy for his or her child, working with a guidance counselor to ensure a particular student receives the extra support he or she needs to succeed or collaborating with the TA Community Resource Office to ensure a safe school environment for student learning.

Just as each class of students brings unique characteristics and skills to the Thornton environment, each class dean in grades 9 - 12 brings a unique quality to the development and day-to-day operations of Thornton Academy.