Reviews of St. Thomas More Academy (School)

Karen Allen

Unfortunately STMA was not the place for our son. We had such high expectations for this school. The appeal was the Catholic component first and foremost. This is present in various ways but not in the most important, love and mercy. They preach of charity yet my son was not spoken about or treated in a charitable way . They preach formation but this is largely HUMAN formation, not CATHOLIC formation. They gloat over their "vocations" yet speak of students who they have "won" or "broken". God has made us all different and we cannot expect all to act/respond the same. No student should be made to feel that they are unworthy or "not good enough" by an administration. It all boils down to a wrong fit. This school is highly specialized. They are looking for a certain type of student. Their expectations for the student's conduct are not age appropriate. Our son did not have discipline issues at his prior elementary/middle school that he attended for 9 years outside of normal childhood behavior. Our student as well as many others, (at least 10 left the school this school year) were labeled and did not meet their expectations. Honestly, they have done us a favor. We do not want this for our son's HS years. The reason that I give it any stars at all is partly the education and partly some of the faculty. There are some bright spots at STMA. There are a few faculty members that were encouraging, supportive and a light in the darkness of our son's freshman year. The curriculum was well suited for our son and he did very well academically. He truly enjoyed the Latin courses as well as the Ancient history courses especially. We believe that this was largely because of the teacher faciliting these courses. It is a huge disappointment that STMA did not work out for our son. We hoped to send our rising freshman daughter but didn't feel comfortable after our overall experience at STMA. In hindsight, I would recommend this school for students who are quiet, perhaps homeschooled, and not social. If your student is social in any way, I would not recommend this setting. It will be a difficult and impossible road for your young student. I plan to send a letter to the founder of this school in regards to what has transpired with our student. I hope that it changes, nothing is impossible with Christ. HE can change hearts and open minds. This needs to happen in order for this school to continue to grow and be a place that "glorifies God" as their motto states.

Jewel Wendt

Let me just say that having PHD's teaching sounds great, but the teacher's are mostly very young and inexperienced and freshly out of college, without the experience needed to deal with any student who may be different. We didn't experience love and acceptance at STMA and I feel my son was pushed to leave by the way he was treated. This after going to Catholic school all his life. The reason I'm giving it 2 stars is for the other parents and the students.

Mary Morgan

As a rising sophomore at this school, my experience this past year has been extremely positive. Despite my negative social experiences from past years, I have been welcomed and encouraged to be more social, made friends, and gone somewhat outside of my comfort zone. I did well academically but was also sufficiently challenged by the curriculum. I appreciate the balance of academics and socialization, as well as the integration of Catholicism into my courses and everyday school life. For the most part, my teachers and other faculty have been helpful and kind to me whenever possible and I have felt comfortable asking questions and sharing my thoughts during class. STMA holds high, but fair standards for student behavior that many students in my class have met, sooner or later throughout the year. The bottom line of these standards is to consistently show respect and the love of Christ to both peers and staff, while performing to the best of one's abilities in all academic pursuits. From my observations, the students who have struggled to adapt or perform well in this school have behaved in ways that may be acceptable at public school, but should not be tolerated there or at STMA. I look forward to spending the rest of my high school years at this school.

Sophia Winger

I am a rising senior at STMA this year, after having attended the school the past three years. I owe so much to STMA-- I am getting a great education (intellectual, spiritual, and social) for an affordable price! I have seen some reviews that say that STMA is not for everyone, and I would say that's true. Not everyone is looking for the same thing. STMA isn't a huge school with tons of money, 25 buildings, and a 4 acres of athletic fields. We rely on our generous benefactor, Mr. Luddy, and his continued support. However, this doesn't validate the popular belief that we're a 'nerd' school and that we have no sports. Sure, we have plenty of nerds (aka: super smart people that are really fun to hang out with), but we also have a bunch of very talented athletes. I have been the XC manager for the past two years, and we have had excellent achievements, especially for our small size. The important part is that the school encourages athletic participation along with the other formation-- we are student-athletes. The faith life at school is the heart of STMA. We have mandatory weekly Mass, where the whole school comes together to praise God. This, of course, doesn't mean that we don't welcome students of other faiths. Several current students are not Catholic, and they are just as welcomed and engaged. As a final note, the students are a fun-loving group. No two people are the same, and everyone does their part to make the school a better place. I have met some of my closest friends at STMA, and am so grateful to the teachers for their continued guidance. They are all wonderful people, who have taught me so much, whether from a textbook or their own personal experiences. Kudos to them all for a job well done! Thank you so much, and I'm looking forward to my last year here!

Jessica Barta

My four years here were very happy, and I’m tremendously grateful to the faculty for their investment in my education and growth. They also taught me to ask questions but I think they regret that. :)

Paulette Perez

Great school!

Alexander Winger

STMA is a truly excellent college preparatory school with an amazing, strong Catholic faith life that one really cannot find anywhere else in NC. Outstandingly qualified professors who teach engaging classes, a very close-knit, friendly, and accepting community, and a positively robust Catholic faith life make this school an excellent fit for any student ready to truly work hard, listen to instructors, and embark upon every day with a positive attitude and willingness to learn and grow as a young Catholic. Although STMA is a firmly Catholic school, its community is very charitable and accepting of non-Catholic students, of which there are currently several in attendance. I myself have had several non-Catholic friends with which I have had great, meaningful, and interesting conversation, have had fun, and have built amazing memories, despite our religious differences. Further, no student who attends STMA will ever walk away from the school feeling left out, unwanted, labeled, or targeted by the administration unless that person has repeatedly either been a disturbance to the school's mission or other students' ability to learn, or has simply behaved in a manner contrary to the rules of conduct clearly enumerated in the handbook that every student and parent/guardian signs before beginning each school year. I am now finishing out my senior year at STMA, and I can assure anyone considering STMA that I would not be the person I am today without STMA and I seriously doubt that I would ever have matured as much, truly grown in the faith, or even become half as responsible as I am today if I had attended any other school in NC. I have met what are without a doubt the kindest, most genuine, loving, and faithful people at STMA, and I never could fully repay STMA for all it has given me. I would give STMA ten stars if I could, but unfortunately that is not an option! :) Thank you STMA!! Keep doing what you are doing and you will continue doing this world one of the greatest services one can do for one's country, society, and world: you will be forming the next generations of excellent, responsible, faithful, Catholic, loving, charitable, and smart rising leaders. I speak from experience, and I could not thank you more! Go Chancellors! Thank you once again, and God Bless!!

Sienna May

I have to say, this school is NOT for everyone!!!

Olga Santo Tomás Monroe

This is a very serious, committed and consistent school, staff & curriculum. My family is blessed that our son has found a secure and stable Roman Catholic environment to spend his High School years.

Zach Wiggin

STMA is probably one of the better high schools in the area. Its small, close knit community brings students and teachers together in a way that really doesn't happen in other places. Classes really are college prep; in college I felt that I usually was more prepared that my peers and all of my classmates from STMA have performed well in college. I think STMA's Catholic roots are my favorite aspect, since it gives students the opportunity to learn about and grow in their faith in a way that encourages questioning and critical thought (not much blind following or indoctrination here). Overall, I think STMA offers an education that competes with schools that cost four to ten times as much, and it's right down the road.