Curriculum
“Reason is by study, labor, and exercise of logic, philosophy, and other liberal arts corroborate and quickened; and the judgment . . . much ripened.” (St. Thomas More)
Studies at St. Thomas More Academy reflect a deep commitment to truly excellent Catholic college preparatory education. In order for students to meet their highest potential within the STMA program of study, students must attend school regularly without excessive absence. STMA maintains a strict attendance policy. Student who miss school regularly for extracurricular activities (i.e. travel sports teams, club teams, dance companies, etc.) may not be able to continue their studies at STMA.
Upper School |
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
Trivium |
Grammar |
Formal Logic |
Rhetoric and Composition (2023-24) |
Senior Thesis Workshop
Senior Seminar |
History |
Ancient History |
Medieval History |
Modern European History |
American History |
Literature |
Great Stories from Ancient Literature |
Medieval Literature |
Modern European Literature |
American Literature |
Philosophy and Theology |
|
Fundamentals of Catholicism |
Catholic Moral Thought |
Catholic Traditions in Politics and Economics |
Language |
Latin 1 |
Latin 2 |
French 1
Latin 3
Spanish I |
French 2
Latin 4
Spanish 2 |
Mathematics |
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Geometry and Algebra 2 placement decided by test |
Geometry
Algebra 2
Precalculus |
Algebra 2
Precalculus
Calculus 1 |
Precalculus
Advanced Functions
Calculus 1
Topics in Calculus (2022-23)
Statistics (2023-24) |
Science |
Biology |
Chemistry |
Physics |
See Trivium |
Electives |
__ |
Three required |
Three required |
Three required |
Other |
First Year of Studies |
__ |
Non-cognitive Skills 1 College Workshop 1 |
Non-cognitive Skills 2 College Workshop 2 Personal & Professional Development
SAT Prep/Practice |
Summer Reading Requirements
Any edition of the following is acceptable.
Grade 9: The Spear by Louis de Wohl
Grade 10: Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
Grade 11: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Grade 12: Land of Hope by Wilifred McClay AND A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller
Initial Math Placement
STMA places incoming first-year students (9th grade) in mathematics based on the faculty’s written placement test. This test is required of all incoming freshmen. It is offered on the Tuesday of fall orientation week.
Placement is always conservative in the student's best academic interests. Prior middle school results are not part of placement considerations.
First-year students might place in either Algebra 1 or Geometry. Rarely, a student might place into Algebra 2.
Placement ordinarily establishes the student’s subsequent math track through the Academy, though STMA does allow students to take summer Geometry elsewhere between grades 9 and 10 to facilitate enrollment in sophomore Algebra 2.
STMA places transfer students into appropriate math classes in the upper grades based on results in prior 9-12 courses and the faculty’s written placement test.
For both incoming and transfer students, the Academy's placement test is decisive over other measures. STMA cannot modify math placements.
ISEE Results and Math Remediation
STMA administers the ISEE (Independent Schools Entrance Examination) to all students who apply for admission to the Academy (Upperclassman transfers may submit PSAT or similar scores instead). The ISEE signals strengths in particular subjects.
A student is expected to have competence in whatever math skills are necessary to sustain positive performance in the student’s first STMA math class.
If an admitted student’s ISEE scores suggest math challenges, the student and his or her family will want to explore remediation work outside STMA. STMA does not offer remedial math courses, but can provide suggestions for remediation resources upon request.
Honors Classes
Honors options are available in primary subjects through the fourth year. Instructors will provide details by course at the beginning of each academic year.
STMA operates on a streamlined, low homework model. Class time is optimized, and the vast majority of work remains inside the school day.
The STMA curriculum of studies exceeds UNC system requirements.
Formation for professional success is a key part of the STMA educational experience. Students are optimally situated to maximize future opportunities through the school’s emphasis on the Top 15 Luddy Outcomes and on non-cognitive and technical skills. These qualities are reinforced in a tier of professionally-ordered courses and in the student community households.