Frequently Asked Questions

Margaret Jamieson Thornton Elementary School 
5860 St. David Drive 
White Plains, MD 20695

Phone: 301-753-2083
Fax: 240-833-7325

Yes, the school website can be found here: https://thornton.ccboe.com 

Yes! Please follow us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjthorntones/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Margaret-J-Thornton-Elementary-School/61575561694817/

Parents can find the block number for their home address in ParentVue, under the student information menu area. The first four numbers listed under “grid code” are a residential block number.

The following is a summary of neighborhood blocks that will make up the zone for Thornton.

• Blocks 3871, 3881, 3859 and 3891 from Billingsley Elementary School.
• Blocks 2571, 2711 and 2643 from Arthur Middleton Elementary School.
• Blocks 2531, 2541, 2561 and 2551 from Mary H. Matula Elementary School.

Students who live in these blocks will attend Thornton effective with the 2025-2026 school year.

Board approved redistricting plan flyer

Click here to read about the approved Elementary redistricting plan

Click here to learn more about the elementary redistricting process

Yes and the Thornton Student Activity Fund will receive 10% of all sales!

Click here to purchase Thornton Spirit Wear

Brian King, Ed.D., will serve as the principal. 

Visit the Administration Team webpage for Dr. King's bio

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We will serve students in grades Pre-K4 through 5th grade. 

Currently, we are expecting approximately 650 students to be enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year.

Any student currently enrolled in PreK4 through 4th grade will be automatically enrolled at Thornton Elementary for the 2025-2026 school year. 

*Note: Current PreK3 students will need to submit a new application to be considered for PreK4 enrollment in the 2025-2026 school year.  The application window opens on April 22. Click here for more information about the Pre-K4 application. 

No, the school is not a site for a Pre-K3 program.  However, you can apply for Pre-K3 if your child will be three years old by Sept. 1 and you meet the income eligibility. If your child is accepted for enrollment, they will attend the program at a site that is determined by your mailing address. The application window opens on May 22, space is limited, and enrollment is not guaranteed. Click here for more information found on the Prekindergarten webpage.

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opens for all grades in mid-June and it will automatically populate Thornton Elementary as the school selection based on the home address that is provided. 

Click here to see the full list of immunizations.

Click here for health forms needed for enrollment. 

Yes. For more information, click here to visit the AlphaBEST of Charles County website.  AlphaBEST is an organization that is independent of Charles County Public Schools.  AlphaBEST determines the number of enrollment spaces offered, program hours of operation, cost structures, and enrollment processes.

The Transportation Department determines the bus zone for each school.  The School Locator for the 2025-2026 school year will go live in mid-August, the link will be shared in future family newsletters. 

The middle school and high school that your children will attend depends on your home address.  This information will be available via the School Locator when it goes live in mid-August.  The middle schools include Matthew Henson, Milton M. Somers and Benjamin Stoddert; the high schools include La Plata, Maurice J. McDonough and St. Charles. *

*CCPS may redistrict school zones when needed to alleviate overcrowding.

No. If applicable, your child’s current school will share Summer Boost information with you.

Yes. Breakfast will be available for all students.  Please complete a Free and Reduced Meals Application as it will determine if your child qualifies for free or reduced school meals.  If your child does not qualify, the cost of the meal will be charged to their MySchoolBucks account.  The online application will be available on August 1, 2025, and a paper copy will be sent home during the first week of school.  

Soon! Construction is nearing completion, and the furniture and learning materials will be delivered in the coming months.  We are eager to have you visit the school as soon as it is ready for visitors---stay tuned! 

Yes. Many of the teachers are CCPS veterans and requested to teach at Thornton Elementary. Be sure to visit our website and follow us on Instagram and Facebook as we will be sharing teacher profiles in the coming months. 

Thornton will use the same curriculum materials as all other CCPS elementary schools.  Click here to learn more about the Elementary Program of Studies. 

In the coming months, members of the Thornton school team will be meeting with your child’s current school to learn about their current academic progress and any other additional supports that are in place for your child.  The meetings will include in-depth discussions of IEPs, SST and 504 plans, ELD services, as well as any other supports that will need to be in place for your child when school starts in August.  There will also be additional opportunities for you to visit the school and engage with the school administration and teachers so that you can share additional information with us about your child.

Yes!  Thornton Elementary will offer the same opportunities as other elementary schools; such as MESA, Destination Imagination, Math Team, Safety Patrol, and many more!   

Great question!  Click here to express an interest in serving on one of our Family Engagement Committees: 

• Modern-Day Explorers Nomination Committee
• School Safety Committee
• Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
• Community Building Committee 

Have another idea?  Share it with Dr. King in the final section of the form. 

Note: Follow up emails will be sent to the listed parent email address listed in Synergy.     Please make sure that all parent information listed in Synergy is accurate and current. 

A few months ago, Dr. King visited the PTO meetings at Middleton, Billingsley, and Matula. He will be visiting the schools again in May and June to introduce himself and the school to the students.  Dr. King will also be visiting the neighborhoods within the school zone over the summer and will be giving guided tours of the school once it is ready--stay tuned for more details! 

ParentVUE is the primary family communication tool of CCPS.  Please ensure that all phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contact information are current and accurate.