SACO — Thornton Academy Headmaster Rene Menard accepted a prestigious President’s “E” Award Monday in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Thornton Academy.

Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker conferred the award ”“ created by the President in 1961 ”“ to recognize persons, firms or organizations that contribute significantly in the effort to increase United States exports. In this case, “exports” refers to exporting an educational experience to international students, according to a press release from Thornton.

“The ”˜E’ Awards Committee was very impressed with Thornton Academy’s demonstrated economic and cultural impact in its community through the education of foreign students. The institution’s innovative program offerings for international students were also particularly notable. Thornton Academy’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” said Pritzker in the written statement.

Although 90 percent of Thornton Academy’s student body comes from Saco, Dayton, Arundel, and other southern Maine towns, the independent school enrolled 155 international students from more than 20 countries this year. Thornton Academy started its residential program in 2008; the majority of international students live either in dormitories on campus or with families in local towns. The growth in programming has allowed Thornton Academy to create 38 additional jobs, according to the statement. An independent report has documented the significant direct and indirect benefit to the local economy due to related discretionary spending and tourism, according to the statement.

Menard said in the written statement that the school was delighted to accept the award and faculty felt the international program not only brings an economic benefit to the local and regional economy, but academic and cultural benefits to the school.

“The introduction of the international program has enabled significant improvements to the breadth and depth of Thornton Academy’s academic programming, everything from the ability to offer the largest selection of Advanced Placement courses in Maine ”“ 24 AP courses ”“ to the ability to offer new science laboratories, a precision machine and tool curriculum, and a School-to-Work Program. It also enables us to offer a broader foreign language curriculum ”“ seven foreign languages. These academic enhancements benefit the entire student body,” said Menard.