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 2022-2023 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 2022-2023 academic year will begin on Thursday, August 11 for all grades. Please see our academic calendar here: STMA Academic Calendar 2022-2023
Upper School Schedule (details will be emailed before orientation week)
- Freshmen Orientation: Monday, August 8th
- Freshmen Math Placement Test: Tuesday, August 9th (10am)
- Sophomore Orientation: Tuesday, August 9th
- Upperclassmen (Grades 11 & 12) Orientation: Wednesday, August 10th
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 19th
- Boys - Thursday, July 21st
- Middle School Back to School Event: Thursday, August 4th at 3pm
- 6th Grade Orientation: Monday, August 8th
- 7th Grade Orientation: Tuesday, August 9th
- 8th Grade Orientation: Wednesday, August 10th
First day of classes for all students:
- Thursday, August 11th
New Parent Dinner:
- Tuesday, August 23rd - Details are TBD, but this will be an evening event on campus
How do parents receive communication over the summer and during the school year?
STMA uses the FACTS/RenWeb system for all parent and student communication. When the on-line application for admission has been submitted, the contact information provided, including student and parent email addresses, is imported into the RenWeb 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/RenWeb. All students must have an active email address in the RenWeb system 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/RenWeb are sent via email. It is important that both the parent and the student create a FACTS/RenWeb 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/RenWeb 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
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 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 (RenWeb) and the financial side (FACTS) via one log in through the RenWeb portal. If a parent logs into the FACTS portal separately, only financial information is available and access to the student information portal (RenWeb) is not available.
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 here
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:
|
Upper School |
Young Women |
Young Men |
|
MWF (informal) |
Optional Outerwear Choices: -Blazer -Wine Sweater -Sweater Vest -Fleece Jacket -Black Embroidered Soft-Shell Jacket -STMA Sweatshirt (with STMA polo shirt) Bottoms: -Trousers (black or charcoal) -Skirt/Kilt (knee-length plaid, gray, or black) Tops: -STMA Polo shirt (short or long-sleeves; white, gray, or maroon) -STMA Oxford shirt (white) Shoes/Socks: -All-black closed-toe shoes (in good condition; flat or low-heeled, not to exceed 2 inches in height) -Black, charcoal, or gray socks (socks are optional) |
Optional Outerwear Choices: -Blazer -Wine Sweater -Sweater Vest -Fleece Jacket -Black Embroidered Soft-Shell Jacket -STMA Sweatshirt (with STMA polo shirt) -Trousers (black or charcoal) -Belt (black) -STMA Polo shirt (short or long-sleeves; white, gray, or maroon) -STMA Oxford shirt (white) Shoes/Socks: -All-black closed-toe shoes (in good condition) -Black, charcoal, or gray socks |
|
T/TH (formal) |
Outerwear: -Black Blazer w/ sewn crest (grades 9-10) -Maroon Blazer w/ sewn crest (grades 11-12) (to be worn after Convocation Mass in September of 11th grade) -Trousers (charcoal) -Skirt/Kilt (gray or plaid) Tops: -STMA Oxford shirt (long or short-sleeves) Shoes/Socks: |
Outerwear: -Black Blazer w/ sewn crest (grades 9-10) -Maroon Blazer w/ sewn crest (grades 11-12) (to be worn after Convocation Mass in Sept. of 11th grade) -Trousers (charcoal) -Belt (black) -STMA Oxford shirt (long or short-sleeves) -Wine-striped neck-tie -Same as MWF |
|
Middle School |
Young Women |
Young Men |
|
MWF (informal) |
Optional Outerwear Choices: -Charcoal cardigan -Fleece Jacket -Black Embroidered Soft-Shell Jacket -STMA Sweatshirt (with STMA polo shirt) Bottoms: -Trousers (black) -Kilt (knee-length plaid or black) -STMA Polo shirt (short or long-sleeves; white, gray, or maroon) -STMA Oxford shirt (white) or -Black, charcoal, or gray socks (socks are optional) |
Optional Outerwear Choices: -Charcoal cardigan -Fleece Jacket -Black Embroidered Soft-Shell Jacket -STMA Sweatshirt (with STMA polo shirt) Bottoms: -Trousers (black) -Belt (black) -STMA Polo shirt (short or long-sleeves; white, gray, or maroon) -STMA Oxford shirt (white) -All-black closed-toe shoes (in good condition) -Black, charcoal, or gray socks |
|
T/TH (formal) |
Outerwear: -Charcoal cardigan Bottoms: -Trousers (black) -Kilt (knee-length plaid or black) Tops: -STMA Oxford shirt (long or short-sleeves) -Same as MWF |
Outerwear: -Charcoal cardigan Bottoms: -Trousers (black) -Belt (black) Tops: -STMA Oxford shirt (long or short-sleeves) -Same as MWF |
___________________________________________________________________________________
What kind of shoes do most students wear?
The only requirement for shoes is that they are all black (including soles, markings, and laces). Other than that, students are free to choose shoes that compliment 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.
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 - must not cover the eyes, must remain above the collar, and 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
- 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;
- 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.
Is there a summer reading requirement?
Yes, there is a summer reading requirement for all grades.
Upper School Reading (any edition of the following is acceptable):
9th Grade - The Spear by Louis De Wohl
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 - The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
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 completes the NC Sports Physical form. This form should be available at the pediatrician's office, but can also 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 2022 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 August 1st, 2022). 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 9 from 10-11am. Due to the popularity of this event, please arrive at 10am. Gently used and free items will be available.
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
6th Grade Supply List 2022-2023
7th Grade Supply List 2022-2023
8th Grade Supply List 2022-2023
*Please note that rolling backpacks are not permitted. Middle school students will have lockers.
When will the schedule of classes be available?
Schedules will be available via RenWeb 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.
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. 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.
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) in order to begin classes promptly at 8am.
Afternoon carpool is from 3-4pm.
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.
When will lockers be assigned?
Students will receive their locker assignments during orientation week.
How is hot lunch ordered?
Please see the Hot Lunch Catering section under the Student Life tab on our website here.
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.
