Academics

At Saint Thomas More High School, our students learn in a safe, warm, and loving environment.  With an emphasis on college preparoratory education, our students are exposed to a variety of challenging and stimulating courses in a number of subjects.  It is our desire to allow our students to make a seamless transition into higher education, and with our rigorous curriculum, our students are well-ahead of their peers upon graduation.

Our curriculum is composed of a variety of courses covering nine major areas of studies.  English, Math and Science are tracked courses, which means students are grouped by ability into acclerated programs (AP or Honors), grade level programs, or programs more basic in nature.  Students do not have to be on the same track in all three subjects and are able to move into different tracks on a yearly basis depending upon individual progress.

The AP and Honors classes are weighted for the purpose of grade point average (G.P.A.).  The other areas of study do not incorporate tracking, and students of all skill levels work together.  Advanced Placement (AP) tests are offered in English, History, Calculus, Spanish, and Art.  Saint Thomas More High School also has a mentoring program designed to help students become successful in their studies.

Our students place well on their standardized test scores, including the ACT Test.  To view a history of our students' performance on the ACT Test, please click View ACT Test Scores now!

                                 

Graduation Requirements

96% of our graduates go on to further their studies in either a two-year of four-year institute of higher education.  To graduate from Saint Thomas More High School, a student must sucessfully gain 23* credits in the following courses:

*Beginning in the fall of 2010, the number of credits required for graduation is 25.  This includes 3.0 credits of both Mathematics and Science.

Planning Your Program

The Master Schedule and Program Changes

When building the Master Schedule, every effort is made to arrange class sections in such a way that students will be able to get the courses they requested when registering.  Some conflicts, however, are inevitable, especially if a student has requested an unusual combination of courses.  To resolve conflicts it is sometimes necessary to assign an alternate choice; for this reason alternate choices are expected on the course selection form in order of preference if indicated.

Furthermore, conflicts can be kept at a minimum if accurate information about course choices is available before the Master Schedule is begun.  Students are asked, therefore, to consider there choices as final and not to request changes after the course selection forms are entered into the computer.  This includes second semester course requests as well.

For the above reasons it is important that students and parents study and discuss course choices before final registration forms are turned in.  Guidance is available to assist in making these choices.

During the pre-registration process the Guidance Counselors will be available for consultations with parents.  Please call the school if you desire such an appointment. 

If a student does request a program change after final registration the request may not be honored.  The policy will be modified if: 1.) a student fails a course which was a prerequisite or a required course; 2.) a change is made necessary in order to resolve conflicts; 3.) a teacher recommends a change due to an error in placement.

Adding a Course

A course may be added after the course selection forms are turned in only if it fits into the student schedule without making changes and if there is room in the class without over-crowding.  A $25 fee will be charged for this late admission.

Please note:  A credit deficiency should be made up in summer school, if at all possible.