
Program Information
Homeschooling for the Catholic Family
Introduction to the Program
St. Thomas Aquinas Academy is an independent home school program, established in 1995. We are dedicated to the Catholic formation and education of children by the persons granted the grace and commission to do so by Our Heavenly Father – the child’s own parents. To that end we offer a twelve-year Catholic liberal arts curriculum for the home schooling family.
From Pre-1st to Grade 12 the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy classical home school curriculum is designed as one graceful whole, with a unit study flavor, that easily adapts to many grade levels learning at the same kitchen table. We encourage a relaxed teaching style, tuned to the natural developmental phases of the child's intellect. We help you teach your child to learn, resulting in a competent, confident child with a life-long enthusiasm for learning, ready for college, work, or family life – whatever his or her calling may be.
The Academy takes its name from the greatest philosopher, the Angelic Doctor of the Church. St. Thomas established the highest standards in the Catholic liberal arts. The magnificent works of St. Thomas, standing above the efforts of all others, unites faith and reason, revelation and philosophy, the Biblical and classical traditions.
Our program gently prepares the child to learn from the Great Books and understand the great ideas essential to that same work of integrating faith with reason. A classical presentation of English and Latin grammar and the arts and sciences equips the student with the tools of learning; a cyclical study of the grand eras of western civilization – Greek, Roman, Old World and New – guides the student (and the teaching parent!) through the historical and literary masterpieces that for centuries have inspired students to noble academic effort.
Crafted Exclusively for the Homeschooling Family
Our classical liberal arts curriculum is an independent study program crafted for the home schooling family, not a classroom program adapted for the home schooling market. Our curriculum does not depend on the availability of a Catholic library nor does it presume a liberal arts education on the part of the parent. Indeed, there is no prior home schooling experience required. Our advisory staff of veteran homeschoolers will personally guide you to and through a variety of texts and materials, according to your student’s needs and interests.
Further, our advisors help organize all of your students into a single historical era--and science subject, too--so that each child is contributing to and benefiting from his siblings’ instruction and insight. St. Thomas Aquinas Academy encourages the family to work together as much as possible, promoting deeper learning and lively, meaningful discussion between parent and child, brother and sister.
Not Just a Textbook Presentation
While many of our materials do have unit quizzes, we promote a variety of methods for your child to use to demonstrate mastery of a subject that are much more fun, much more effective than a standard quizzing format. Oral presentations, discussions and hands-on projects are as important to our classical curriculum as written work and unit testing.
Start with a Student Skills Assessment
A year with St. Thomas Aquinas Academy begins with an informal student skills assessment you administer in your home that identifies each child’s basic learning style, and academic strengths and weaknesses to focus on through the year. After evaluating your students’ skills, an advisor works with you over the phone to personalize our curriculum for your family.
Course Plans and High School Study Guides
The books and resources to obtain and how to use them are detailed for the family, grade by grade. Materials recommended are suitable to the home school; both the student and the teaching-parent will find them easy to use. In our publications we direct you to the most expedient and reasonably priced providers we can find. An "online bookstore" run in affiliation with Amazon.com is also available on our website for your ordering convenience.
Many texts have unit quizzes, and answer keys, too. Where texts do not include their own pace and plan of study, we have added weekly course plans or pacing information to make teaching the texts in your home clear and accomplishable. Our parent guides, course outlines, and periodic newsletters also suggest a variety of alternative means for gaining and demonstrating mastery of academic skills and subject material.
Enrolled high school students also have access to our unique graded online quizzing system that complements our STAA Study Guides. STAA Study Guides are weekly course plans that guide high school students through explorations of the classics, designed to develop critical thinking skills and effective study skills, layer by layer, all along the way.
Support from Experienced Homeschoolers
As an alternative to the usual one-size-fits-all lesson plans, we guide you through yearly goal setting, and then help you establish a pace and flow to your schooling suited to your family’s lifestyle.
We continue to work with you throughout the year. Academic advisors are available by appointment and through our website. All are experienced homeschoolers and subscribe to the ideas and methods found in such books as Dorothy and Raymond Moore’s Home Grown Kids and The Successful Homeschool Handbook and Laura Berquist’s Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum.
Report Cards, Transcripts, and Diploma Options
St. Thomas Aquinas Academy offers an option for earning report cards, transcripts, and high school diplomas based on a semester reporting system. Step-by-step forms and guidelines for goal setting, lesson planning, and tracking student progress are included in our materials. Our record-keeping is designed to be thorough without being burdensome. Student course of study, attendance, and academic progress are well documented, building your student a strong, effective academic portfolio designed to meet the expectations of institutions he or she may attend in the future.
A Unique Home School Program
If you are looking for a different sort of home school program, one that offers quality Catholic, classical liberal arts education, real flexibility, and experienced, personal assistance, come join us! We offer telephone consultations to discuss your questions about enrollment. The consultations are free of charge to families in the U.S. and Canada and can be arranged by following the Telephone Consultation link or calling 209-863-8400.
Learn More
We encourage you to explore the pages on the "Program Information" bar to learn more about St. Thomas Aquinas Academy's methodologies and services. The pages discuss:
The Welcome Packet Assessment Evaluation The Program Packet Our Course Plans Curriculum Planning Ordering Books |
Grading Student Work Semester Reporting Continuing Support Grammar School Courses High School Courses Enrollment Fees and Application Process |
What questions can we answer for you?
We would love to hear from you! Please reach out with your questions by phone or email, schedule a courtesy telephone consultation with an advisor, or submit an enrollment application if you are ready to start planning for the upcoming school year.
We have all enjoyed the way STAA ties the courses together for the whole family.
Alyse M.
California
Thanks for all you do on your end to help make our homeschooling academically, intellectually, spiritually, and morally enriching!!
Denise
Michigan
My advisor helps me to understand what needs to be done and how to make it really fun for the kids. What I really like are the tips she gives me for dealing with the little ones while trying to school the older ones.
Amber
Texas
This is our first year homeschooling. STAA and [our advisor] have made this a very easy transition. We have had a great year!
Gwen H.
Kansas
I really don't know what I would do without your kindness, and very helpful advice. You are a blessing to our family.
Pat
Idaho
The assessment testing was quick and easy to do, so I didn't expect much valuable feedback. Boy was I wrong!!! It was like my advisor had met my kids and spent hours/days with them.
Mary Ellen
Maryland
We have been so very happy with our first year with STAA! Thank you for walking me through it and for all the fantastic resources and materials we are using. There is not one we don't like!
Elizabeth
California
Our family so enjoyed our wonderful relationship with STAA as our [son] worked his way through high school. It was a wonderful and outstanding experience for him and we continue to suggest your program to all those who are looking for an excellent homeschool experience.
Debra S.
Colorado
Since I am writing, I will also sing more praises of the Greek Studies plan. [My daughter] moaned over the timed-essay and then did very well. So easy to implement with the choose one reflection topic from each subject and then get ready, get set, go! Apparently the school also gave suggestions for the process essay in "Format Writing." Thank you! For a mom of many this is real time saver.
Alisa from Indiana
mother of 9th grade daughter and several STAA graduates
The academy works as a team to accomplish for your family specific ideas or needs for education, but more importantly, what each individual in your family needs, even Mom.
Anne
Illinois
God bless you for the job you are doing -- the peace you have helped us find as a family is priceless!
Cerita
Texas
We can’t imagine going without these wonderful, enhanced lesson plans! Thank you!
On the STAA Study Guides
Anonymous
I especially appreciate the advice and wise counsel I receive from the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy staff during our phone appointments and their understanding of my children's needs.
Stephen T.
Illinois
It is a thrill to receive the delightfully arranged weekly guidelines from STAA that keep us on track but allow for flexibility.
Dee Dee C.
Florida
I can honestly say that our children have blossomed into well rounded individuals because of your program.