At STMA we prepare students for success in college and beyond by teaching them to think critically and creatively and to write clearly and speak articulately to express these thoughts. We cultivate habits of close and careful reading, attentive and active listening, and reflective and respectful questioning. We aim to form young people to be lifelong learners who are intellectually curious and have the tools and disciplines necessary to learn and perform well regardless of the subject matter or setting.
We have specific intentions as we prepare students to pursue studies and careers in STEM subjects:
We aim to provide a solid foundation in mathematics so that students can continue to build their mathematical abilities in college. For this reason, we take a conservative approach to placement for incoming students and focus on fundamentals rather than an aggressive pace. This serves college admissions by helping students reach their highest potential on the math portion of the SAT, which only tests for competencies through the Algebra 2 level. The attention to fundamentals serves to save students the frustration of recurring difficulties at each level due to persistent, unaddressed gaps in their understanding. We also provide a semester of SAT preparation and practice for all juniors during the fall semester.
Engagement, driven by genuine interest, is critical to the successful completion of STEM tracks in college. To help students discern the nature and extent of their interests and aptitudes, and to generate enthusiasm for the subjects, we offer a wide range of unique electives in STEM subjects that show students applications and possibilities in these areas. Students who choose these electives gain exposure to a wide range of disciplines most high school students never see until college, if ever. (See, http://wtgrantfoundation.org/secret-key-successful-science-education-know-student-interest)
Grit–conscientious determination–is perhaps the most important trait for success in any serious life endeavor. Throughout our curriculum and formation efforts, we inculcate virtues of curiosity and perseverance. Our attention to human and spiritual formation according to the Salesian model advances our pursuit of these ends by fostering opportunities for well-ordered mentoring relationships with students. (See, https://blogs.wsj.com/experts/2015/09/16/the-most-important-factor-in-a-college-students-success/ and https://culturefeed.com/what-a-wise-person-says/ )
Catholic commitment to the unity of truth and the pursuit of knowledge ordered toward the greater glory of God is richly expressed in our science courses. Students learn respect for life and about the beauty of creation, the proper moral limits of research and practice, and the moral and intellectual shortcomings of scientism and materialism. We understand the proper role of the scientific disciplines in human flourishing and counsel against the subordination of human goods to material progress.
STMA’s graduates are prepared for any of the academic disciplines they choose to pursue in college. They are equipped to pursue these disciplines with a well-formed conscience and the ability, grounded in their studies in literature, history, and philosophy, to recognize and avoid recurring heresies, fallacies, and temptations so often attached to higher education.
STMA graduates should not expect to find their college courses in the STEM subjects, or any subjects, to be redundant–mere reiterations –of their prep courses. These new courses will, and ought to be, challenging and full of new material. However, STMA graduates can and should expect that they will have the intellectual, moral, and personal formation to find success in these studies and beyond.
Approximately 55% of recent STMA graduates report majors in STEM disciplines. Another 12% are pursuing majors in Business. A strong majority of recent graduates reported earning an A- or better in their first college math course.
STMA offers students a wide range of STEM core classes and electives over four years of study.
Core STEM Courses
Algebra I and II, Geometry, Advanced Modeling and Functions , Precalculus, Calculus, Advanced Topics in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry , Physics, Advanced Topics in Science (2024-25)
Recent STEM Electives
Agriculture, Analytic Chemistry, Architecture. Astronomy, Biochemistry, Cryptography, Discrete Math, Entomology, Fundamentals of College Math, Historical Geology, Light and Optics, Linear Algebra, Numbers and Patterns, Plate Tectonics, Precambrian Studies, Topics in Engineering
Recent Business and Economics Courses
Catholic Traditions in Politics and Economics, European Finance, Global Macroeconomics and Geopolitics, Introduction to the Stock Market, Marketing, Personal Finance, Topics in Macroeconomics
Related Extracurricular Offerings
Future Farmers of America, Math Club, Robotics Club, Science Olympiad
Recent STEM College Placement
More than 50% of recent graduates are studying STEM in college
Baylor
Accounting
Case Western
Case School of Engineering
Catholic University
Busch School of Business & Economics
Cornell
Biology
Davidson
Biology
Franklin & Marshall
School of Neuroscience
Lehigh University
P.R. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
North Carolina State University
College of Engineering
Pre-Medicine
Poole College of Management
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
School of Nursing
Engineering
University of Pennsylvania
Graduate Chemistry Program
University of Virginia
Biology
Vanderbilt
Neuroscience
STEM Outcomes
STMA students show significant improvement in math relative to their cohort nationally. This translates to higher-tier college admissions and greater financial awards than would be expected given their pre-STMA trajectory
Recent Student Performance (100% of students testing)
Class of 2016
Incoming 9th Grade Math ISEE National Percentile: 52
Outgoing Math SAT National Percentile: 81
(+ 29)
Class of 2017
Incoming 9th Grade Math ISEE National Percentile: 50
Outgoing Math SAT National Percentile: 79
(+29)
Class of 2018
Incoming 9th Grade Math ISEE National Percentile: 50
Outgoing SAT Math Percentile: 84
(+34)
Class of 2019
Incoming 9th Grade Math ISEE National Percentile: 44
Outgoing SAT Math Percentile: 83
(+39)
-
Most Reverent Bishop Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington (Formerly Bishop of Raleigh)
Catholic schools play an essential role in the future of our Church and Diocese. Recognizing that parents are the first and primary educators of their children, Catholic schools enter into a unique partnership with them. STMA is positioned well to assist parents in this endeavor. As a school officially recognized by the Diocese of Raleigh, it is dedicated to the authentic teaching of the Faith and provides families with a valued option in Catholic education. -
Alice von Hildebrand, Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Hunter College
God is always calling his people to the vital task of “renewing” authentic education. One enterprise that deserves our special praise and gratitude is St. Thomas More Academy. Thanks to the astounding generosity of its founder, Bob Luddy, and the unswerving efforts of its faculty, it has born rich fruit in its many students. We, both laity and clergy, have a great debt of gratitude to those who pour themselves into creating schools like St. Thomas More. Let us support them in every way possible. And let us not miss the chance to give our children the privilege of a real education. -
Timothy Moran, STMA '13
"STMA planted in me the desire to never be satisfied with mediocrity but to always strive for excellence and gave me the tools to navigate in a world that demands complacency. I continue to utilize lessons learned at STMA in my personal life and leadership style in the military. Above all, STMA fosters a desire for greatness in students that I don’t see possible in a different environment. I hold this to be the key difference in my upbringing."
1st Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps. -
Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J., Ph.D., President Emeritus, Gonzaga University
I’ve had the good fortune to present at STMA on multiple occasions. My subject matter, which draws from contemporary physics and philosophy, can be fairly demanding, but the students not only assimilate the material but ask very perceptive questions. I believe that the STMA faculty is the driving force behind these exceptional young people. I’ve been highly impressed by their knowledge and commitment to the students. For preparing teens to meet contemporary challenges brought about by the interaction of faith and secular culture, Saint Thomas More Academy offers one of the finest secondary programs in the nation. -
Sarah Dawod, STMA '15
"STMA leaves a mark on the minds of its students by attending to the formation of their intellect, heart, body and soul. My experience at STMA was nothing less than transformative - this is a result of the time and effort each and every one of the faculty members poured into me. "
NCSU '19 Honors Biology with Concentration in Neuroscience, Minor in Health, Medicine & Human Value, University of Pittsburgh, MA Bioethics '21 -
Dr. Anne Carson Daly, President Emeritus, Mount St. Mary College
It’s a breath of fresh air to walk through the doors of St. Thomas More Academy. The administrators and faculty care about educating the whole person. The students are obviously happy to be there [and] are getting a terrific education that emphasizes what counts and what lasts. Spending time at STMA makes me wish that all students could have the opportunity to study there. -
Adriana Watkins, STMA '16
"STMA opened my eyes to the ways in which different disciplines are connected. I'm grateful to STMA for encouraging me to pay attention to the depth and breadth of truth.”
Boston College 2020, Majors in English & French, Minors in Philosophy and Creative Writing -
Dr. John F. Crosby, Professor and Chair of Philosophy, Franciscan University
My wife and I visited St Thomas More Academy in 2011, and we were greatly impressed by the politeness of the students. I attended an English class that had almost the level of a college course. I gave a lecture to an assembly of all students, and I was struck by the intelligent and articulate questions I received from them. I went away wishing that I could send my own children to a school like St. Thomas More Academy. -
Irene Bethencourt, STMA '17
"I value STMA for its teachers who care about the personal enrichment of each student in and way beyond the classroom. In college, it is almost impossible to have this connection with teachers so I remember it fondly from STMA. It reminds me that there are teachers out there who value more about their students than just their academic performance."
UNC Chapel Hill 2021, Major in Nursing -
Sister Mary Sarah Galbraith, O.P., President Emeritus, Aquinas College
STMA provides a rich environment that allows each student to flourish and become who they were meant from all eternity to be. In fall 2013 a recent graduate enrolled at Aquinas College. I was able to see a direct correlation between the caliber of teaching and learning in a thoughtful, Christ-centered community and the impact that STMA’s integrated formation had on the young man. He brings his good qualities of mind and heart into every aspect of life and by his example encourages others to follow his lead. -
Andrew Mistele, STMA '18
"STMA's community is totally unique in the best way. I formed some of the most meaningful relationships of my life there and grew personally in ways that have prepared me for life and all that comes after high school. As an engineering major, I believe that STMA's liberal arts curriculum taught me to see the world in a different way than most of my peers, which has already proved very advantageous.”
NCSU 2022, Major in Aerospace Engineering, Minor in Mathematics -
Aubrey Leaser, STMA '19
"St. Thomas More Academy is led by a strong and devout faculty that shares a deep love for the Catholic faith and seeks to bestow the same love in the next generations. In the four years that I spent at STMA, I found assurance in my faith and the knowledge to pursue my interests. I was taught how to think critically and to formulate strong arguments. Since entering college, I have realized that I am better prepared than many of my college peers, both academically and socially. I attribute this to my time spent at STMA, as it was there that I learned to love learning and was given the tools necessary to succeed."
University of Virginia Class of 2023, Major in Biology
3109 Spring Forest Rd
Raleigh, NC 27616
Middle School Campus
5605 Spring Court Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27616