Counselors are available at both campuses to offer individual support for students' social, emotional and academic needs.

Our counselors also coordinate school-wide activities throughout the year, giving students and teachers the opportunity to show appreciation and kindness to those around them, address bullying, and bring in guest speakers.

St. Thomas Aquinas offers a rigorous curriculum; however, students with learning differences can find support through Student Support Services. Students with diagnosed disabilities may qualify for accommodations in the classroom. that include an Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP) written, implemented, and monitored by the Learning Specialist. The Learning Specialist determines what accommodations are made based on the psycho-educational test and report, teacher input, parent input, and the individual needs of the learner.

To receive an IAP (the eligibility for accommodations) the student must meet the following requirements:

1. The student must have an educational need or diagnosis that directly affects his/her ability to learn.
2. The student must have been evaluated by a professional with the appropriate credentials to make the diagnosis (e.g. psychologist, diagnostician, neurologist).
3. Evaluations must be current as outlined in the ETS guidelines (Educational Testing Service, www.ets.org). Extenuating circumstances may warrant an individualized decision for a student’s re-evaluation.
4. A full report must be submitted to the  Learning Specialist for use in developing an Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP).
5. The report will be kept on file in the Learning Specialist’s office.
6. The report must include the following: 

• A clear description of the diagnosis listed in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
• Scores from measures of cognitive functioning, academic achievement, and information processing which support the diagnosis.
• Specific recommendations for appropriate accommodations.

Contact Padmini Dayal at the Lower School or Cynthia Redden at the Upper School for more information and to schedule a meeting.

At the Lower School, our commitment to fostering holistic development extends to our social-emotional learning programs. In grades PK through second grade, we employ the PATHS program (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies), a well-established and evidence-based curriculum designed by clinical psychologists and child development experts.

PATHS equips our students with vital skills, including enhanced self-control and the ability to empathize with others. Every teacher in these grade levels is trained to deliver this curriculum to their homeroom classes, ensuring that our students receive consistent and effective instruction.

Under the guidance of our Lower School Counselor/Learning Specialist, Padmini Dayal, students enthusiastically embrace these skills. They not only apply them independently but also support each other in using these strategies when facing challenges in school. We firmly believe that these crucial skills will yield lasting benefits, promoting students' overall well-being and enhancing their academic success.