Gregory Thornton is the Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools.
Official Biography
Gregory Thornton, Ed. D. was appointed Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools in 2010. Under his administration and with the support of the Board of School Directors, the district has reformulated the instruction of literacy, math and science, implemented a Master Facilities Plan, and made significant changes to the structure of employee benefits in an effort to help assure sustainability for the district.
Prior to coming to Milwaukee, Dr. Thornton served as Superintendent of Chester Upland School District in Chester, Pennsylvania, where he facilitated reforms to bring about increases in student achievement, created school-community partnerships and improved the fiscal and business efficiencies of the district. He served previously as Chief Academic Officer of The School District of Philadelphia and has held leadership positions in large school districts in Maryland and North Carolina.
Dr. Thornton received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, and his Master of Arts degree in Administration/Supervision at Salisbury State University in Maryland. He earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
Dr. Thornton enjoys sports, reading and spending time with his family. He and his wife have two sons, and one granddaughter.
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Content referencing Gregory Thornton
How Will School Board Hire New Superintendent?
What's the likely process and how were past decisions made?
Jun 10th, 2024 by Terry Falk
MPS Embroiled in a Real Food Fight
Student group protests quality of school lunches. School board considers changes.
Feb 13th, 2023 by Terry Falk
The Failure of Corporate Charter Schools
They haven’t done so well in Milwaukee.
May 18th, 2021 by Terry Falk
School Districts Consider Defunding Police
Madison, Green Bay, Milwaukee among districts that may end programs. Milwaukee school board votes Thursday.
Jun 17th, 2020 by Terry Falk
High Rate of Turnover for School Superintendents
Some superintendents leap frog from district to district, advancing their career or salary.
Jun 15th, 2020 by Terry Falk
MPS Program Offers “Ambitious Instruction”
Will new approach mean more skills taught or more teaching to the test?
Oct 29th, 2019 by Terry Falk
Why Is City’s Student Achievement So Low?
NAEP results show notable progress in Chicago, but discouraging results here.
Apr 25th, 2018 by Bruce Thompson
MPS Losing Superintendent Driver
Will become CEO of Southeastern Michigan United Way in Detroit in July.
Apr 3rd, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
The MPS Agency Superintendents Hate
Efficiency office created in 2010 reports to board members. But is it needed?
Jan 16th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Police Outreach to Teens a Failure
Violence over weekend dramatizes issue. School board called for changes in outreach program.
Aug 15th, 2016 by Terry Falk
Can MPS Learn From the Data?
Its rejection of the Opportunity Schools Partnership is merely one sign the answer is no.
Jul 13th, 2016 by Bruce Thompson
Why Urban School Chiefs Fail
The lessons of former MPS superintendent Gregory Thornton’s firing in Baltimore.
May 19th, 2016 by Bruce Murphy
How MPS Changed School Expulsions
Echoing national trends, school board has moved away from “zero tolerance.” Here’s why.
Oct 23rd, 2015 by Terry Falk
MPS and Non-Profits Teamed Up to Rescue Carver Academy
School that was failing "by every measure" is now changing its culture.
Jul 12th, 2015 by Jabril Faraj
Why Doesn’t Milwaukee Embrace Charter Schools?
Data shows they work better than MPS schools, but board adamantly opposes them.
May 20th, 2015 by Bruce Thompson
Charter School Leaders Say Oversight Needed
Republican plan for Milwaukee would allow high-performing charter schools to replicate without any approving authority.
Apr 7th, 2015 by Jabril Faraj
Why Thornton Is Leaving MPS
It's all about moving back home, not about frustration with Milwaukee.
Apr 25th, 2014 by Terry Falk
7 Can’t Miss YP Week Events
Young Professional Week features some 30 events. Here's our pick of the top seven.
Apr 11th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
The House of Hank the Dog
The Brewer's canine mascot has a nine-room Whitefish Bay home and 10,000 square foot lot to roam in, all worth $570,000.
Mar 24th, 2014 by Michael Horne
New Champion of the City
New council president Michael Murphy is bluntly honest about state politicians in an interview.
Mar 17th, 2014 by Steven Walters
Why Did Thornton Leave?
The loss of MPS superintendent raises troubling questions about public education in Milwaukee.
Feb 20th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Police Scam Artists
Why does the cop’s union protect officers who rip off taxpayers?
Nov 12th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Milwaukee’s Most Underestimated Leader?
MPS superintendent Gregory Thornton has quietly righted a ship that once looked ready to sink.
Nov 5th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
How Republicans Will Hurt City Real Estate
Reacting to a smelly deal involving one school building, legislators are pushing a badly-flawed bill that worsens the problem.
Oct 17th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
The Media’s Declining Clout
As newspaper readership declines, government officials increasingly ignore stories that once would have embarrassed them.
Sep 6th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Send in the Cops?
Ald. Donovan wants more cops in MPS, Chief Flynn wants a different approach. Who’s right?
Sep 5th, 2013 by Terry Falk
How MPS Is Improving Instruction
Common Core Standards are changing schools here and statewide, but Tea Party Republicans object.
Aug 29th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Uncertain Outlook for Milwaukee Public Schools?
Poverty, crime and retiree benefits all are issues for MPS, Thornton tells conference on schools.
Aug 9th, 2013 by Edgar Mendez
Grant Langley’s Dour Ranch Home
It may be one of the dullest, most invisible homes in Milwaukee, and just barely.
Jul 12th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Gregory Thornton’s Urban Apartment
He's got a place in the 23 story Prospect Towers, but is it named after Armstrong, Ellington or maybe Billie Holiday?
Jun 21st, 2013 by Michael Horne
Jackie Robinson Middle School Remade as Senior Living Community
Gorman & Company recently completed the conversion of Jackie Robinson Middle School into the Sherman Park Senior Living Community.
Jun 3rd, 2013 by Shakara Robinson
Biggest Taxer in Town
Over the last five years property taxes have been driven by just one of the five local taxing units: Milwaukee Public Schools.
Jan 15th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
The Long Road to Reform
It took Boston at least a decade to improve its public schools. Is there a lesson for Milwaukee?
Jan 9th, 2013 by Dave Steele
The Impact of Charter Schools
The promise -- and problems -- of America’s most popular alternative to public schools can be seen in Milwaukee.
Nov 27th, 2012 by Dave Steele
