Welcome to St. Thomas More Academy!

We are so glad you are here! 

This FAQ page will provide new students and parents with all of the necessary information to prepare for the upcoming academic year. The information provided below pertains to the 2024-2025 academic year.

Additional details regarding the upcoming school year will be emailed to each family during the summer months and will be updated in this section as information becomes available.  

When does the academic year begin?

The 2024-2025 academic year will begin on Monday, August 12 for all grades. Please see our full academic calendar here: 

Upper School Schedule (details will be emailed before orientation week)

• Freshmen Orientation: Wednesday, August 7 (8am-3pm Time is subject to change)
• Freshmen Math/Latin Placement Test: Thursday, August 8 (10am-Noon)
• Sophomore, Junior, Senior Men’s Orientation: Thursday, August 8 (9am-Noon)
• Sophomore, Junior, Senior Ladies’ Orientation: Friday, August 9 (9am-Noon)

Middle School Schedule (details will be emailed before each event)

• Annual Summer Hiking Trip for Grade 6 (Hanging Rock Mountain – day trip):
  • Girls – Tuesday, July 23
  • Boys – Thursday, July 25
• 6th Grade Orientation: Wednesday, August 7 (7:45am-Noon)*
• 7th Grade Orientation: Thursday, August 8 (8:45am-Noon)*
• 8th Grade Orientation: Friday, August 9 (8:45am-Noon)*

*Times are subject to change

First day of classes for all students:

• Monday, August 12

New Parent Dinner:

• Tuesday, August 20 – Details are TBD, but this will be an evening event on campus.

What time does school begin and end each day?

School begins at 8am and ends at 3pm.  Students may enter the building by 7:30am as long as two staff members on campus. We recommend that students arrive on campus no later than 7:50am to allow time to prepare for class. Please join Deacon Brad for morning prayer in the chapel at 7:35am!

Students are not permitted to stay on campus past 4pm each day unless they are participating in a scheduled STMA club meeting or sports activity. 

How do parents receive communication over the summer and during the school year?

STMA uses the FACTS Student Information System (SIS) for all parent and student communication.  When the online application for admission has been submitted, the contact information provided, including student and parent email addresses, is imported into the FACTS SIS system.  Please ensure that the email addresses provided are active and appropriate for school use.  Once a student is enrolled, STMA faculty and staff are able to communicate with families via emails through FACTS SIS.  All students, with the exception of grades 6 & 7, must have an active email address in the FACTS SIS in order to receive important information over the summer and to be able to communicate directly with their instructors during the school year.

Additionally, once a student is enrolled, instructions for how to create parent and student accounts on FACTS SIS are sent via email.  It is important that both the parent and the student create a FACTS SIS account.  This will enable parents to view their student’s grades, etc.  It will also allow the student to view his or her schedule, view grades, etc. 

To create a student information account through the FACTS system, follow these instructions: Family Portal Account Set-Up Instructions

Families may follow this link to set up an account using the above instructions: Family Portal.

If parents and/or students are not receiving emails from STMA faculty and staff after enrollment, please contact admissions@stmacademy.org immediately, as this means that the email address provided on the admissions application needs to be updated. 

How are tuition payments set up?

Each family must create a FACTS account to select a tuition plan. Please follow this link to set up a FACTS account: https://factsmgt.com

Ann Cureton will be in communication with all families regarding tuition setup over the summer months. 

What is the difference between a FACTS account and a RenWeb account?

FACTS owns and operates two separate, but connected, portals: financial portal (called FACTS) and the student information portal (called the Student Information System or SIS; formerly called RenWeb). Parents will create a separate account for each portal following the directions above. Once each account has been set up, students and parents can access both the student information side (FACTS SIS) and the financial side (FACTS) via one log in through the family portal. If a parent logs into the FACTS portal separately, only financial information is available and access to the SIS portal is not visible.

Are there additional fees besides tuition?

STMA has made an effort to maintain low tuition and to keep additional fees, such as some book purchases, club fees, etc. at a minimum.

Some school books are provided on loan and must be properly maintained.  There will be some books, however, that the faculty deem important for a personal library.  Students will be required to purchase these books separately.  Every effort is made to point students to on-line titles that are free or sites where books can be purchased at a very low cost. 

During the first week of school, teachers will provide students with a syllabus for each class, which details which books are provided and which must be purchased.  Usually (but not always), Latin and Math books are purchased in bulk by STMA and families are charged via the FACTS system. 

Typically, families can expect to pay anywhere between $30-$50 for books in each year of study, but this will vary by year of study as it is largely dependent upon the classes taken.

Please see our website here for more information on tuition and fees. 

Where/How are uniforms purchased?

All uniforms are sold exclusively through Flynn and O’Hara.  Please see the Uniforms section under the Student Life tab on our website here and the charts below for more details. 

In addition to the regular school uniform, Middle School students are also required to have a P.E. uniform. Parents may select from various options and order via a link that will be available later in the summer. Please note that this link is not always active. Parents will be notified when it is active.

Enrolled families are also able to connect via a parent exchange group for uniforms, books, and carpool.  If you would like to join this group, please email the request to Mrs. Stormy Noland

Uniform Requirements:

What kind of shoes do most students wear?

The only requirement for shoes is that they are all black (including soles, markings, and laces). Flip flops and slippers are not permitted. Other than that, students are free to choose shoes that complement their style and/or are most comfortable. Most students wear some form of slip-on or lace-up shoe. Popular choices for young men include loafers, Oxford-style shoes, or tennis/athletic shoes. Popular choices for young women include ballet/other flats or lace-up shoes (even low combat boots are acceptable). Other popular choices are all-black tennis or athletic shoes.  Though most all black shoes are allowed, the Dean of Students will determine whether a shoe in question is acceptable or not. When in doubt about the acceptability of a particular type of shoe, the student should ask the Dean of Students.

Middle school students are encouraged to have separate shoes for their school uniform and their P.E. uniform. Athletic shoes are needed for P.E. (students have P.E daily). Though a students may wear the same all black athletic shoes with their school uniform and with their P.E. uniform, in our experience, the shoes do not last as long, requiring the family to replace them during the school year.

What are the expectations for personal grooming?

Students are allowed some freedom in personal grooming. A good rule of thumb is for them to maintain a professional appearance. Expectations include:

• Young Men
  • Hair – a short, professional haircut is required (i.e.: must not cover the eyes and must remain above the collar); must be a natural hair color (e.g. not pink, purple, blue, green, etc.); words or symbol etching in the hair is not permitted
  • Face – facial hair must be clean shaven; markings or shavings in the eyebrows are not permitted;
  • Jewelry & Piercings – ear or facial piercings are not permitted; other jewelry is permitted;
  • Fit of clothing – must not be too tight or too loose fitting; shirts must remain tucked in and buttoned to the neck (last button at neck can remain unbuttoned for the polo shirts); ties must be worn with the Oxford shirts (buttoned to the top); pants must be belted
    • Students may only wear a white undershirt beneath uniform shirts. Undershirts should not have printed images or text.
• Young Ladies
  • Hair – must be a natural hair color (e.g. not pink, purple, blue, green, etc.) and neatly groomed; words or symbol etching in the hair is not permitted; fairy hair is not permitted;
  • Face – make-up is allowed, but should be conservatively applied and in natural tones; markings or shavings in the eyebrows are not permitted;
  • Jewelry & Piercings – jewelry is permitted, including ear piercings; other facial piercings are not permitted;
  • Nails – nail polish is allowed, but should not be distracting in color;
  • Fit of clothing – must not be too tight or too loose fitting; shirts must remain tucked in and buttoned to the neck (last button at neck can remain unbuttoned); skirts must be knee-length; during cold months, young ladies may wear tights (footed tights may be worn without socks; ankle tights must be worn with socks), but leggings and leg warmers are not permitted
    • Students may only wear a white undershirt beneath uniform shirts. Undershirts should not have printed images or text.

Is there a summer reading requirement?

Yes, there is a summer reading requirement for all grades. The list below is for the 2024-25 school year.

Upper School Reading (any edition of the following is acceptable):

9th Grade – Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington

10th Grade – Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

11th Grade – A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

12th Grade – Land of Hope by Wilfred McClay AND A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.

Middle School Reading (any edition of the following is acceptable):

6th Grade – Tales of the Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green

7th Grade – King Arthur & His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green

8th Grade – The Giver by Lois Lowry

What else needs to be accomplished over the summer?

A health physical is required for all students by the first day of school (if not submitted during the admissions process or if out of date by the time school begins).

If a student plans to play sports, a sports physical is required. Please request that your pediatrician complete the NC Sports Physical form. This form can be found here. 

If you have yet to submit any supplemental documentation (as applicable), such as the birth certificate, First Communion certificate (Catholic applicants only), or immunization record, please do so by the first day of school.

Are there any activities that occur over the summer?

Middle School Hiking Trip

Our Headmaster and Middle School faculty lead a hiking trip for rising 6th grade students in the summer. Please see the dates listed above for the summer 2024 trip. Details of the trip will be communicated to families in the early summer months. 

New Student Socials

There will be opportunities for new students (rising 9th grade and rising 6th grade) to meet over the summer.  These events are organized by parents and will be announced via email. If you are interested in hosting a new student social over the summer, please contact Stormy Noland.

Summer Sports Conditioning

Conditioning workouts begin in June (to prepare for the fall sports season, which begins July 29, 2024). Please contact our Athletic Director or Assistant Athletic Director if you are interested in participating:

Athletic Director – Doug Cottle doug.cottle@stmacedemy.org

Assistant Athletic Director – Dr. Jake Noland jake.noland@stmacademy.org

Uniform Exchange Event

New and current families are invited to attend our uniform exchange event on Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 10-11am. Due to the popularity of this event, please arrive at 10am. Gently used and free items will be available. Further details will be emailed to all enrolled families in June.

Is there a supply list?

Upper School – There is not a supply list for grades 9-12.  Teachers will make recommendations during orientation week, but generally, students are given the freedom to choose the supplies best suited to their individual needs. 

Middle School

When will the schedule of classes be available?

Schedules will be available via FACTS by the day before school begins.  Students who have elective options (Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors) will be able to choose electives before schedules are finalized.

When will lockers be assigned?

Students will receive their locker assignments during orientation week.

What are the carpool instructions?

Upper School Instructions:

Drivers should enter the Upper School campus via the back entrance on Spring Court Rd. Student drivers may park in the back parking lot.  Parent drivers should pass the back parking lot and follow the loop to the right.  Students may exit or enter a parent’s car in the courtyard area.  Parents should pull to the right along the curb to allow for the flow of traffic on the left.  As soon as the student exits or enters the parent’s car, you may pull away being mindful of any cars passing from the left and exit via the front entrance of the campus.  If the car in front of you has pulled away, please pull as far forward as you are able.

Middle School Instructions:

Please enter the Middle School campus via the driveway to the left of the building.  Students may be dropped off at the back entrance and parents may loop around the parking lot to exit via the driveway.

Students should arrive to campus by 7:50am (at the latest) to begin classes promptly at 8am. Students who arrive at 7:55am or after should check in at the front desk.

Afternoon carpool is from 3-4pm. Most often, it occurs in the front of the building, but in the event of inclement weather, it will be moved to the back of the building.

Middle School Carpool Diagram

Upper School Carpool Diagram

How do I connect with other parents to arrange carpool sharing?

STMA has a Google group for parents to exchange carpool, books, and uniforms. If you would like to join this group, please contact Mrs. Stormy Noland.

Does STMA have a parent organization?

STMA has a parent organization called the Parent Service Organization (PSO). The PSO is active in serving the school through parents volunteering their time to assist with various event in the life of the school community. If you are interested in volunteering for the PSO, please contact Mrs. Stormy Noland.

Is STMA a nut free facility?

No, STMA is not a nut free facility. Students may bring food items containing nuts.

Is hot lunch offered?

Yes, hot lunch ordering is available. Please see the Hot Lunch Catering section under the Student Life tab on our website here. Microwaves are available for student use as needed. Students do not have access to a refrigerator.

Can my student bring in a snack or treat for his/her birthday or special occasion?

Yes, students may bring in snacks or treats that will remain at the front desk or in the staff refrigerator (as applicable) until the lunch period.

How can I obtain a Driver’s Eligibility Form for my student?

If your student has taken and passed the Driver’s Education classes, he/she may receive a Driver’s Eligibility Form from STMA before school begins. Please contact Mrs. Ann Cureton for this form.