Application packets do not need to be complete at the time of application.  However, we must receive a completed Application for Admission along with a $250.00 application fee to begin the admissions process.  Other documents can be submitted as you obtain them.  All application documents must be submitted to the school by February 29, 2012.

The admissions test must be taken on one of the remaining dates in December or February (or at another school offering the ISEE on other dates) for consideration in the admissions process.  The May test date is for late applicants assuming there are spaces still available at that time.

We are expecting an increased number of applications again this year, and will most likely have another waiting list.  For this reason we are encouraging interested families to apply early.

Siblings of current students or graduates will be given priority in acceptance.

Tuition for the 2012-2013 academic year is $6500.

Acceptance letters will be mailed out in the first week of March, 2012 and Commitment Letters will be due back to the school two weeks later.

Open Houses are scheduled from 2-4pm on Sunday, December 4; and Sunday, February 5.  Private tours are available, as are opportunites to have your child “shadow” a current student for a half school day.  For more information, or to schedule a tour or “shadow,” please email Mrs. Ann Cureton at ann.cureton@stmacademy.org

All pertinent information and documents related to admissions at STMA can be found at the following link:

http://stmacademy.org/admissions/

If we can be of any assistence in the admissions process, please feel free to contact us.  Know of our prayers!

The Academy has every year required several summer readings by grade level. Please find the texts for 2011-12 below.

Incoming freshmen

Mortimer Adler: How to Read a Book
Gerard Wegemer: Thomas More: A Portrait of Courage

Rising sophomores

Thomas Woods: How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization

Rising juniors

Richard Brookhiser: Rediscovering George Washington, Founding Father

Rising seniors

Alvin Plantinga: Advice to Christian Philosophers, at http://www.calvin.edu/academic/philosophy/virtual_library/plantinga_alvin.htm

Note that these are the only required summer readings. Students are expected the complete the work(s) assigned to their grade. Accountability will be measured via a short essay/book review on the particular work in designated courses.

Please let us know if you’ve any questions. Meantime I hope everyone has a good and restful summer!

God’s blessings,
Dr. Kirkpatrick

Wesley Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.
Dean of Studies
St. Thomas More Academy
wesley.kirkpatrick@stmacademy.org

From Miss Bryant:

”As I prepare to leave the Episcopal High School to head to St. Thomas More, I am filled with joy at the prospect of bringing my enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for teaching to a new school home that so prizes a sound mind and courageous soul in each of its students. As I use my summer to prepare for my classes in History, Art History and Latin I (along with the move to Raleigh!), I wish you all the very best for a restful, sun-filled summer. ‘In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’.”

From Mrs. Shields:  

I am very excited to begin sharing with my new students my love of St. Thomas More Academy and of the truly excellent Catholic education it offers! I return to Raleigh from the vast state of Texas with my dearest friend and husband, Micheal Shields, and we are both thrilled to join the STMA community! May God bless you all and fill you with His joy this summer and always.

Deacon Watkins studied graphic design and art at North Carolina State’s renowned College of Design.   After graduating he founded the Antfarm, an artists studio in downtown Raleigh, and later finished his M.F.A. at the University of North Carolina. He taught painting and drawing for a time both there and at the College of Design. He has won several significant art awards and shown his work in major galleries and museums.

Deacon Watkins taught art for seven years at Cardinal Gibbons High School, where he also founded and ran the Frassati Society, a youth group serving students from both Gibbons and St. Thomas More.  He was then privileged to work for the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, as his Administrative Secretary and Assistant Director of Vocations.  Last summer he was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Raleigh. He is now assigned in that capacity to St. Catherine of Siena parish. Deacon Watkins lives in Wake Forest with his wife Chantal and their five children Liliane, Therese, Isaac, Samuel, and Mary Frances.

Mr. Luddy also announced the appointment of Dr. Wesley Kirkpatrick as the Academy’s Dean of Studies. Besides continuing to instruct a variety of courses, Dr. Kirkpatrick now assumes responsibilities for the Academy’s faculty and academic programs.

Dr. Kirkpatrick is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he was a student of the distinguished philosopher Alvin Plantinga. Since coming to the Academy in 2004 Dr. Kirkpatrick has won national-level awards from the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund and the National Endowment for the Humanities and established a reputation as a dedicated teacher and mentor. He lives in Chapel Hill with his wife Kate and their four children Karol, Maria, Margaret, and Chava.

Noting that this “outstanding Catholic preparatory school [is] poised for ever greater achievement as it enters its second decade,” Mr. Luddy has charged the new administration to form “the gold standard of Catholic preparatory education.” “There’s a wonderful feeling in the air,” Dr. Kirkpatrick said, “a sharp, bold sense of our commission to educate top-notch Christian leaders.” “St. Thomas More is a great gift to Raleigh and the state of North Carolina,” Deacon Watkins said. “We mean to lead it into its bright future as an educational powerhouse known for its joyful learning environment, strong commitment to Catholic formation, and genuine academic excellence.”

All seventeen seniors, along with Mr. Blessing, Ms. DeMaria, and Deacon Watkins, had a fantastic day and took advantage of the many outdoor experiences offered at the USNWC.  Mountain biking, flatwater kayaking, obstacle courses, the “big jump”, high ropes courses, rock climbing, and zip lines were among the activities available to the group.  However, the highlight of the day was whitewater rafting.  The USNWC has an entirely man made “river” that ranges in difficulty of rapids from Class 2 to Class 4.  Working in groups of six, students spent an hour and half making 4-6 runs down the two different courses.  Raft guides were both entertaining and professional.  One lucky group had the legendary “Capt’n Dan”, who never ceased to thrill and amuse.  The senior class can proudly say they had no “swimmers” amongst them (term for people who fall out of the raft).  Special thanks to senior Justin Cyrus for organizing the trip!

Located only a few minutes away was the Duke Gardens, wherein the students broke into groups and embarked on a botanical scavenger hunt throughout the NC native plant gardens. The students could readily identify some of the vegetation there, a reward of their studies thus far in biology. Then they picnicked in the Asiatic arboretum by the pond.

After lunch they traveled to the Lemur Center, and awaiting them there were half of the world’s prosimian primate population currently in captivity. As the students previously studied, some of the world’s most exciting prosimian research is conducted there on topics such as primate intelligence and social skills.

Overall, it was a fun-filled and educational day at Duke and the students enjoyed it thoroughly.

Seminarian Philip Johnson from Deacon Watkins on Vimeo.

There is no need to sign-up for the Open House.  If you have questions about the 7th Grade Open House, please contact Deacon Brad Watkins, Director of Admissions, at admissions@stmacademy.org

In fact, so many applications have come in that we now have a waiting list for admission to next year’s freshman class.  For this reason we have decided not to host our February Open House as originally scheduled, lest we give the false impression that we still have available seats in the rising freshmen class.  We are still giving tours (please contact Deacon Brad Watkins at Admissions@stmacademy.org to schedule) and we strongly encourage interested families to submit applications.  We expect that some families who have already submitted applications might not end up at STMA in the fall for any number of reasons (moving, change of financial situation, etc.).

We intend to get out acceptance letters as soon as possible and will be asking for commitment letters from admitted applicants by early March.  Once we receive commitment letters, we will begin mailing acceptance letters to families on the waiting list as spaces become available.

STMA will be hosting an Open House for 7th graders (rising 8th graders) in April.  Further details about this Open House will be posted soon.