Uniform and Appearance Standards
Saint Thomas More Academy maintains a standard of dress with a school uniform that is worn every day. As stated in the Community Handbook, the Headmaster has the final say on all matters of dress code.
The uniform and other STMA apparel (polo/Oxford shirts, sweaters, fleece jacket, and all pants & skirts) must be purchased from Flynn & O’Hara Uniforms. Please see the charts below for uniform details for both the Upper School and the Middle School.
Flynn & O’Hara offers three flexible ways to order:
Visit the store: https://goo.gl/maps/gsbrY2EwkUk6cU5y8
By phone: Call 1-800-441-4122 and place an order with their knowledgeable customer service staff. During the summer months (August and September), they also have extended hours for your ordering convenience.
Online: To see uniform options and pricing and to create a custom ordering profile for your child, visit online at: www.flynnohara.com/school/nc007
Middle School PE Uniforms:
In addition to the regular school uniform detailed below, Middle School students are also required to purchase a PE uniform for daily physical education class. Parents may choose from various options and place an order via a link that will be emailed to families at least twice each school year.
Uniform Requirements
Personal Grooming Expectations
Students are allowed some freedom in personal grooming. A good rule of thumb is to maintain a professional appearance. Expectations include:
- Gentlemen
- 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; make-up is not permitted
- Jewelry & Piercings – ear or facial piercings are not permitted; other jewelry is permitted
- Nails – painted nails are not permitted
- Fit of clothing – 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 the the top); pants must be belted and the hem must touch the end of the ankle where the foot begins (i.e. the top of the shoe)
- Shirts worn under a uniform shirt must be white and free of text or images.
- 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 are not permitted; leg warmers are not permitted
- Shirts worn under a uniform shirt must be white and free of text or images.
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 underneath) 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 socks ONLY (socks are optional) | Optional Outerwear Choices: -Blazer -Wine Sweater -Sweater Vest -Fleece Jacket -Black Embroidered Soft-Shell Jacket -STMA Sweatshirt (with STMA polo shirt underneath) Bottoms: -Trousers (black or charcoal) -Belt (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) -Black socks ONLY (ankle socks not permitted) |
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) Bottoms: -Trousers (charcoal) -Skirt/Kilt (knee-length gray or plaid) Tops: -STMA Oxford Shirt (long or short-sleeves) Shoes/Socks: -Same as MWF | 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) Bottoms: -Trousers (charcoal)-Belt (black) Tops/Necktie: -STMA Oxford Shirt (long or short-sleeves) -Wine-Striped Necktie Shoes/Socks: -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 underneath) Bottoms: -Trousers (black) -Kilt (knee-length plaid 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 socks ONLY (socks are optional) | Optional Outerwear Choices: -Charcoal cardigan -Fleece Jacket -Black Embroidered Soft-Shell Jacket -STMA Sweatshirt (with STMA polo shirt underneath) Bottoms: -Trousers (black)-Belt (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) -Black socks ONLY (ankle socks not permitted) |
T/TH (formal) | Outerwear: -Charcoal cardigan Bottoms: -Trousers (black) -Kilt (knee-length plaid or black) Tops: -STMA Oxford shirt (long or short-sleeves) Shoes/Socks: -Same as MWF | Outerwear: -Charcoal cardigan Bottoms: -Trousers (black) -Belt (black) Tops: -STMA Oxford shirt (long or short-sleeves) Shoes/Socks: -Same as MWF |
Non-Uniform Days
At least once per month, students are allowed a non-uniform dress day. Though these are commonly referred to as “dress down days”, students may certainly dress nicely. The following is expected on non-uniform days:
- Ladies & Gentlemen
- Clothing must not:
- be too tight or too loose fitting (i.e. pants that sag below the waistline; jeggings/leggings that are skin tight)
- contain images or text not appropriate for a school setting (i.e. political propaganda, curse words, lude images, etc.)
- have rips or tears
- expose the midriff, lower back, or sides
- The following clothing is not permitted:
- Shorts
- Pajama/lounge pants and/or shirts
- Leggings/Jeggings worn as pants without a tunic like shirt
- Plunging necklines
- Tank tops with very thin straps
- Clothing must not:
- Ladies – Skirts & dresses must be knee-length, must not have plunging necklines and/or very thin straps, and must not have skin exposing cut-outs on the front, back, or sides.
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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