St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

Dear Parents,

As we begin the re-enrollment process for the 2020–2021 school year, we are reminded of and appreciate the great trust you have placed in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School by your decision to send your children to our parish school. The decision to provide your children with a Catholic education involves sacrifice and commitment and is not taken lightly.

We, along with the school administration and faculty, understand your commitment and are dedicated to providing the best Catholic education for each of our students. We are proud to provide evidence of our success in a brief summary of our students' accomplishments:

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School students consistently score well above Dallas Diocesan and national averages on the Iowa Assessment standardized test. STA continues to see increases in our overall scores throughout all grade levels as student performance is analyzed and curriculum improvements are implemented. STA continues to lead the Diocese in overall performance measures for achievement and growth, STA's scores in language, reading and math are consistently in the top tier of Diocesan K–8 school measures.

One hundred percent of graduates were accepted to at least one of their chosen high schools in 2019. Our graduates are also choosing a wide variety of high schools to attend, and are entering each arena well prepared for college-preparatory academic rigor. In 2019, 83% of 8th-grade graduates chose to continue their Catholic education at one of the three largest Catholic high schools in the area (Bishop Lynch, Jesuit, and Ursuline) while many others elected to attend schools like the DISD and RISD Arts, STEM, and Talented and Gifted Magnet Schools, and Woodrow Wilson High IB Program, as well as other local public and private schools in the area.

Our continued success with technology including the 1:1 laptop program for middle school students and continued advancements in the classroom allow for differentiated, interactive instruction as well as the development of 21st-century skills for students. 

Successful and growing middle school extra-curricular activities such as choir, band, First Lego League Robotics, speech and drama, National Junior Honor Society, Private School Interscholastic Association, broadcast journalism, Ambassadors, religion, spelling and geography competitions and a robust DPL athletics program featuring ten sports offer development and involvement for every type of student interest.

Over the past several months, the Parish Finance Council, in collaboration with the School Advisory Council, established the Tuition and Fee Schedule for the 2020-2021 school year. We have worked diligently to limit the average increases in school tuition across all categories to approximately 4% this year. For the 2020–2021 school year, the cost for a contributing parishioner family's first child in K–5th grade will be $8,320 and $8,520 for a first child in 6th - 8th grade. Based on current year figures, our cost to educate each child in K-5th grade is $11,310. The variance of budgeted revenues to expenses is made up by your GAP contributions, grants, and fundraisers in keeping with our parish mission to keep quality Catholic education within financial reach for as many parishioner families as possible. As in past years, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School's tuition rates remain among the most affordable for large Catholic schools in our area and half the cost of many area private schools.

Because of our belief in the importance of Catholic education, we will continue to provide a family plan that offers families reduced tuition for second, third and additional children enrolled in K–8. Please know that we will continue to do everything possible to be good stewards of the tuition and parish support we receive while adhering to diocesan guidelines for compensation and other expenses.

Your dedication and involvement in the life of the school and the parish contribute to making St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School not only a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School but an excellent example of Catholic education at its finest. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to embracing the spirit, inspiring the mind, nourishing the soul, opening the heart, and celebrating each child.

Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Magee
President