St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School

"I acknowledge that every teacher, parent and student comes to the school with their own cultural, social and emotional experiences. But our experience with St. Thomas has led us to question whether the administration and teachers firmly understand that these factors make a huge difference in educating students. Instead of our first-time school age child being placed in an environment to help them thrive, we experienced a situation that was solely focused on the teacher's over reliance on disciplinary practices instead of understanding each child is different and therefore how you relate to them is different. When the new teacher could not relate to our child the only plan of resolution was to sent the child out of the classroom to let someone else deal with them. When the supporting administration became aware of issues within the classroom no real effort was made to help the new teacher create classroom management plans. As an engaged parent it was disheartening to realize that the teacher and administrators are unnecessarily setting up students for failure. I pray that no child inadvertently suffers from an inexperienced teacher and inadequately trained administrator s that are quick to label children as problems instead of understanding that an instructor has to meet the students where they are and build from there. I would encourage all parents trying to decide if this is the place for your child to obtain and read " First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher" by Rosemary T Wong to learn what an effective teacher is and does."

"My family loves Aquinas! My son has been a student for 2 years and enjoys going to school. All of his teachers have been great and every staff member I've had contact with has been very kind. My son continues to make great strides in his reading and his math skills. We would recommend Aquinas!"

"Aquinas is a Rigorous School, with a great opportunity to raise your child with a continued love of learning and discipline. There is sports and music and spiritual growth that is price less. Children don't know how much their brains can be stretched until they actually try. We found Aquinas to be a great school option for us in Prince William county. Our Child has had more great days of learning and growth, and friendship, and joy in the middle school years. Lastly but in no way least all students are treated with kindness and respect by both faculty and other students. Parents also play a roll in every school as they must communicate with leadership to make them aware of areas that they see could be improved. This is our 3rd child to go through middle school in Prince William County."

"As a military family with 6 children who have attended Catholic schools all around the country for nearly 20 years, we are extremely pleased with the warmth and kindness our children have experienced at STARS. The scheduling is more traditional than many modern schools, and the teachers our children have had are extremely engaged and caring. The homework load has been comparable to other schools (including the public schools out children attended while stationed overseas.) We are very happy with STARS."

"I highly recommend St.Thomas Aquinas Regional School to parents searching for a school that will provide an outstanding academic curriculum, while also teaching the Catholic faith and building character. My son attended Aquinas for 9 years - from Kindergarten through 8th grade - and just graduated. I was very involved with the school and volunteered for many activities throughout the years, so I feel I can provide an accurate assessment of the school. There are so many wonderful things about Aquinas, I don't know where to begin. The staff members are caring and concerned about each and every child and his or her well-being and progress. There are many special and fun activities and traditions at each grade level, especially the 8th grade, which is a very special year for the kids. Aquinas has sports activities, drama, music, and many other clubs, along with many service projects for the children. The atmosphere at Aquinas is one of love and kindness. Children of all races and cultures are treated with respect, and unkind behavior and profanity of any kind are not tolerated. I never witnessed bullying behavior of any sort in the 9 years my son was there. On the contrary, the students in the higher grades interact with and help the younger children through the Households Program, Mass Buddies, and many other opportunities. My son made many lifelong friends at Aquinas, and I did too. Aquinas and it's PTO is a very close-knit community filled with parents, students, and staff who work, learn, and have fun together and help each other. The Nashville Dominican Sisters who staff the school are truly a blessing, and ensure that the Catholic Faith is taught in line with the teaching of the Magisterium. I am amazed at the knowledge and understanding my son has of his Catholic Faith thanks to the Sisters. With all the disturbing things going on in the public schools, Aquinas is like a little oasis of truth and beauty, and I will always cherish the years my son spent there. Looking back, the decision to send my son to Aquinas was one of the best decisions of my life. It was very difficult to leave Aquinas on that graduation day last month. Many parents and students were crying, including myself. I am filled with gratitude for all the Aquinas community has done for my son and for me, and I thank God that an excellent school like Aquinas was so close to our home. I hope you will disregard the unkind and untruthful comments of the previous reviewer, who is obviously a disgruntled former student. Aquinas has high standards for character, integrity, and for academics, and those students who embrace these principles will succeed and thrive at this wonderful school, and will be well prepared to enter high school. Isn't that what every parent wants for their child?"