Academics & Curriculum

Our goal is to make each child’s educational experience both meaningful and productive in a Catholic setting. At St. Thomas More School we accomplish this goal by creating a rigorous academic curriculum delivered in a nurturing setting of discipline and respect. St. Thomas More School has successfully educated students for 45 years. Our history is one of challenging students to be their best through personal understanding and insight.

Educational Experience
Children who attend St. Thomas More School are given the opportunity to achieve their personal best on a curricular continuum that utilizes multi-level and interest grouping. In the preschool years, students learn in an environment that supports their need for hands-on activities and self-directed learning. Teachers nurture and develop students’ natural love for learning, whether that is academic or formative. Students are exposed to settings that encourage collaboration and cooperation at play and at work.

St. Thomas More School operates a complete preschool program for children ages 3 and 4. The program includes:
  • Three-year-old program: 2 sessions Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and
    Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
  • Four-year-old program: 2 sessions on Monday/Wednesday and Friday mornings
    and Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
Enrollment in the preschool is first reserved for St. Thomas More Parish families and families with siblings already enrolled in another program. Enrollment is then open to all other families on a first come, first served basis. All parish families will be informed of preschool enrollment schedules during January.

In the Kindergarten through 3rd grade years, St. Thomas More School advocates small class sizes that encourage individual attention from the teaching staff. Students are encouraged to become confident learners who begin to explore and understand their personal learning styles through instruction and activities. These younger children experience the companionship of older students through our classroom “buddy” system where older students mentor and encourage their younger friends.

In the intermediate years, grades 4-6, instruction shifts toward a more structured environment. Students are afforded the opportunity to learn at their own pace and classroom instruction is differentiated to accommodate ability levels and learning styles. Students in grades 5 and 6 move, on a limited basis, fro class to class within the building and experience the teaching talents of 3 to 4 teachers on a daily basis. These students are encouraged to become independent, self-motivated learners through activities, long-term projects and group work.

The middle years, grades 7 and 8, are dedicated to class work that enhances and builds on our students’ talents and abilities. Students move from class to class within the building and experience the talents of 4 to 5 teachers on a daily basis. Classes are offered at a variety of levels to support the premise that students should be permitted and encouraged to work at their highest ability level. Students are further encouraged to become independent learners; organizational skills and study techniques are emphasized in preparation for their high school years.

In-house enrichment classes are offered for qualifying students in grades 3 - 8.

Evaluation
Formal and informal student evaluation is a central aspect of the school setting. At St. Thomas More School, we understand that our mission is to impart knowledge and teach skills that will support students as they move toward self-actualization. To measure the effectiveness of our efforts, we continually evaluate and access the role of the teachers and administration, and test the validity of our curriculum. Measures of formal student evaluation include testing, reporting, projects, and presentations. These measures are quantitative and reported in regular intervals to the parents and students. In addition standardized tests are given each year with reports presented to parents and the Diocesan schools’ office. Permanent records of student progress and test scores are kept in the school office.

Faculty evaluations are completed by the principal through observation followed by a written report. These reports are compiled at year end and included in the faculty member’s professional file. The principal is evaluated by the Diocesan schools office and by the pastor of St. Thomas More School. Principal evaluations are kept in the schools office and in the principal’s professional file.

Since 1996, textbooks and curriculum are evaluated on a four-year rotation cycle of: review, evaluation, decision and pilot. The rotation is staggered so that textbooks and curricular areas are examined and up-dated every four years. St. Thomas More School also adheres to the curriculum guidelines established by the State of Pennsylvania. Formal teacher in-service meetings are held monthly and informal” lunch” department meetings are held weekly. The issues that arise at these meeting are reviewed with the administration with feedback returned to the staff. Standardized test scores are reviewed each year with an eye to identifying program strengths and weaknesses. The Catholic formative area of our curriculum is evaluated and structured using the Visions and Values in the Catholic Schools program as presented by the National Catholic Education Association. In addition, students in grades 5 and 8 take and annual formal and standardized religion test, ACRE.

Our school Advisory Board is also an on-going part of our evaluation process. Through this Board, parents and parishioners are encouraged to provide feedback and input to the approval of our annual fiscal budget and the general school program.