The rankings are calculated by taking the standardized tests for Math, Reading, Science and Writing used by Washington to determine the proficiency level across varying grades and subjects for high schools in the state.

This places Thorp as the highest rated high school in Kittitas County, well ahead of all neighboring districts in the area none of which are even ranked in the top 100.

Thorp students can extend their learning with a variety of instruction such as woodworking, electronics (robotics), welding and other vocational skills.

The confusion was settled in January 1880, when Yakima County School Superintendent George W. Parrish, granted the formation of District No.

It is not entirely clear where classes were conducted during the subsequent decade, however in 1885, then 7-year-old Glen Mason arrived in the Thorp area and recalled that school for District No.

Constructed of finely fitted and painted shiplap siding, the building was 24-feet wide and 36-feet long with 14-foot-high ceilings, making it stand apart from the log schoolhouses that were common in the area.

9 voted to move the Mills School building a half-mile down Goodwin Road to the newly formed town.

[7] Then in the spring of 1900, just months before a fresh enrollment of 99 students were to arrive at its doors, the first Thorp school house was completed.

[5][10] The building had a capacity of 200,[5] utilizing the old school house which was attached to it in the back, as a gymnasium and classrooms for mechanical arts and home economics.

[16][17] One of the earliest celebrations to be held in the new gymnasium at the school was an Armistice Day program on November 11, 1936, which was led by the district's beloved longtime superintendent Victor Karlson.

A finely crafted red brick Colonial Revival structure, it was designed by noted architect John W. Maloney.

In both cases, a small but vocal group of consolidation proponents were defeated by a massive and well-organized opposition of community leaders and concerned citizens.

[18] In the second instance, after months of public campaigning by merger supporters accompanied by an intense debate among voters and community members, the question of consolidation was brought before the seven-member Kittitas County Committee on School District Organization.

At the conclusion of a 4-hour public hearing on the evening of March 1, 1983, before an overwhelmingly anti-consolidation, standing-room-only crowd at the Thorp High School gymnasium, the committee voted unanimously to reject consolidation of the district.

[19][20] Voters in the district approved a $1.4 million bond measure for school construction on February 7, 1989, by a margin of nearly 80 percent.

The building, which was billed as the "first high-tech school in the county," included the addition of ten new classrooms, a gymnasium with seating for 450 people, and a student commons area which doubles as a performance venue.

The 1936 Grade School building was subsequently renovated to provide additional instructional space and classrooms for the growing needs of the district, while preserving its classic architectural integrity.

"[23] Thorp's Teaching American History Grant, To Preserve and Protect Our Future, in partnership with Central Washington University's media production department, received two Regional Emmy Awards.

The second Emmy Award was bestowed on June 5, 2010, in recognition of Thorp's TAHG production of the website Moments in American History.

[citation needed] Thorp High School competes as a 1B member of the WIAA North Central Washington Conference.