Each year Thornton Middle PTSA awards two scholarships to college-bound graduating high school seniors from American High School who attended Thornton Middle School.

The winners are decided by a committee made up of the Scholarship Chairperson and four PTSA Board Members. The Thornton PTSA Scholarship is based on overall achievement and requires proof of college admission to receive the award. Scholarship winners are presented with their awards at American High School Senior Award Night.