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.
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Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
Trivium |
Grammar Preparatory Writing |
Logic |
Introduction to Philosophy |
Advanced Topics in Philosophy (2021-22) College Writing: Thesis Research and Composition |
History |
Ancient History: Prehistory and First Civilizations Ancient History: The Classical World |
Medieval History: The Early Middle Ages Medieval History: The High Middle Ages |
Modern European History: Early Modern to 1873 Modern European History: 1873 to the Present |
American History |
Literature |
Ancient Literature : Great Stories from Myth and Scripture Ancient Literature : Great Stories from Greece and Rome |
Medieval Literature: Early Medieval Writing Medieval Literature: Dante to Chaucer |
Modern European Literature: Renaissance to Romanticism Modern European Literature: 1850 to the Present |
American Literature: Origins to the Civil War American Literature: 1865 to the Present |
Theology |
See literature |
Introduction to Catholicism |
Bioethics |
Moral Theology Traditions in Politics and Economics |
Language |
Latin 1 |
Latin 2 |
Latin 3 or French 1 or Spanish 1 |
Latin 4 or French 2 or Spanish 2 |
Mathematics |
Algebra 1 or Geometry or Algebra 2 |
Geometry or Algebra 2 or Precalculus |
Algebra 2 or Precalculus or Calculus |
Precalculus or Advanced Functions or Calculus or Calculus 2 (2021-22) |
Science |
Biology |
Chemistry |
Physics |
Advanced Topics in Math and Science (2021-22) |
Electives |
N/A |
Varied topics |
Varied topics |
Varied topics |
Other |
First Year Seminar |
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Non-cognitive Skills 1 College Workshop |
Non-cognitive Skills 2 Personal/ Professional Development |
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.
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 households.