A Catholic high school honing minds through academic excellence

What matters most in your search for a private high school? You know that high school serves as a stepping stone before heading to college — you want your teen to be prepared. You’re looking for a program that not only implements a rigorous curriculum, but also provides enriching experiences where your teen can pursue passions, build friendships, and grow in character.

All these things are at the heart of everything we do at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. As the top private high school in the Seacoast region, we provide an academic experience that will challenge and equip your teen for college and life.

Preview our academic program:

The STA Difference
Learning Environment
Program Highlights
Academic Enrichments
STA by the Numbers

The STA Difference

Explore the unique academic opportunities where your teen can thrive

Catholic Faith Instruction

Our approach to education is deeply rooted in Catholic values and morals. Guided and driven by a mission that embraces Catholic identity, your teen will experience a learning environment committed to faith formation, academic excellence, and service. We incorporate religious studies in our core subjects, while activities such as Mass and prayer, campus ministry, and clubs foster a sense of belonging in the Catholic community.

Personalized Attention

With small class sizes and teachers who cater to each student’s unique learning style, your teen will have a deep understanding of their classwork. Additionally, the tight-knit community at STA will provide many opportunities for your teen to be actively involved in academic events, competitions, and other activities that will challenge them to grow.

College-Prep Curriculum

At STA, we strive to challenge and support students, with offerings such as Honors and AP classes, dual enrollment, and college courses. Your teen will find a rigorous curriculum with core subjects, including English, mathematics, science, and social studies. We also have excellent opportunities to dive deep into theology, fine arts, technology, and world languages. Aside from the exceptional curriculum, teachers integrate an approach that encourages independent learning, critical thinking, and communication skills — all valuable tools that will help them thrive in the present and future.

Center for Academic Achievement

We provide a center for supporting students in their coursework and organizational skills. Your teen will learn critical strategies for note-taking, studying, time management, and how to plan weekly assignments. Tutor assistance is also available for students who would benefit from one-on-one instruction.

Learning Environment

Get a glimpse of what sets our educational experience apart

As you consider private Catholic high schools in our area, one of the things that will determine your decision will be your teen’s learning environment. Will it give your high schooler the right balance of support and challenge? Will they have the appropriate tools and resources?

At STA, we provide a learning environment that brings…

  • Academic rigor: Expect a curriculum that adheres to the highest learning standards. Every subject matter, academic activity, and resource available in STA is geared toward college preparation.
  • Extracurricular involvement: Your teen will have the freedom to participate in extracurriculars such as athletics, fine arts, ministry, and leadership activities. These opportunities bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, and treasured experiences that students carry for life.
  • Supplemental learning: In addition to our core academic programs, we provide opportunities for high schoolers to push their learning further, such as TOM Talks, clubs, SAINTS advisory block, Winterterm, and more.
  • Community celebration: At STA, we are a community that is brought together by faith, hope, and love. We begin each day with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, assemble in our community weekly, and celebrate monthly Catholic Mass. Your teen will genuinely feel at home on our campus, as we’ve built a culture where students enjoy making friends and growing together.

Want to learn more about the private Catholic high school experience and how it can benefit your teen?

We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have! Please feel free to contact us at (603) 742-1324 and admission@stalux.org.

Program Highlights

Discover how we equip students at every stage in their journey

9th Grade

  • 10 hours of community service
  • Freshmen Jumpstart: Community building activities, receiving schedules, learning class expectations, meeting advisors, and undergoing general orientation
  • Our first-year students make a strong start on college prep through regular 1:1 meetings with our college counselor, a rigorous curriculum, and Saints Block activities that introduce exciting fields of study

10th Grade

  • 15 hours of community service
  • Intro to AP courses available
  • School day PSAT Administration
  • Students are educated on their post-secondary options and what it takes to be a competitive applicant
  • Regular college counseling helps sophomores identify their strengths and interests and map out course selections for the next two years — electives, honors, AP, and dual enrollment credits

11th Grade

  • 20 hours of community service
  • This is an important year for college prep as students take the PSAT, SAT, ACT (optional), and AP exams (if enrolled)
  • College representatives visit STA, and students begin touring campuses
  • School day PSAT Administration
  • Junior Speeches: Writing and delivering a persuasive speech based on a topic related to American history and culture, presented to the entire school community
  • Small group workshop: Attending a workshop for college planning and preparation for Naviance, followed by individualized attention throughout the college application process to help identify their best-fit dream schools

12th Grade

  • 25 hours of community service
  • Senior Bootcamp: Helps seniors with the final push toward perfecting their applications and ensuring they are aware of STA’s guaranteed admission agreements
  • English teachers provide support to ensure students submit strong essays, and 1:1 college counseling continues through acceptance
  • A financial aid night helps students and parents prepare for scholarships and student loans
  • Senior Projects: Topic presentations based on each student’s English elective 
  • Senior Retreat: Provides the seniors time to reflect on their time at STA and make memories

“St. Thomas Aquinas High School has provided me with a new look at myself personally and academically; the enriched academic environment is something I’ve never seen in another school. The community of teachers, counselors, and even other students, makes it a point for us all to succeed and support us in every way. As a community, they have encouraged my attempts to lead volunteer opportunities and helped me to expand academically and individually in ways I never imagined. I never feel discouraged to ask for help, and I always know that I will be aided and supplied with everything necessary to reach my goals not only in high school, but later in life. I will always be proud of being an STA alumnus someday and cannot wait for where they will help me go next.”

-Brooke C., Class of ‘2024

Academic Enrichment

Learn more about the enriching programs we offer to students

Winterterm

Winterterm is one of our distinct programs at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Every year, students immerse themselves in meaningful and enriching educational experiences through unique courses that interest them. Over the past years, some areas of study include: Vertebrate Anatomy, Financial Management, Scuba Diving, Winter Survival Skills, Japanese Culture, and more.

It’s an opportunity for students to learn subjects they would not have otherwise taken in a traditional educational setting, thus broadening their horizons and igniting passions they can pursue in college and beyond.

What other exciting enrichments can be found in STA?

  • Athletics
  • Theatre
  • Music (Jazz Band, Chamber Singers, Music Ministry)
  • Student Advisory Board
  • Saints Block Club
  • After school clubs (Academic WorldQuest, Debate Team, Cheer Team, Film Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Robosaints, and more)
  • Internships and independent studies

STA by the Numbers

Valuable statistics about our school

100%

College Acceptance Rate

97%

Enroll in Higher Education

100%

Enter college, military, ministry, or the workforce

188

Colleges and universities accepting STA graduates in class of 2022

63

YearS of
establishment

25

Faculty and staff holding advanced degrees

Here are top colleges that STA graduates have attended:

  1. Wentworth Institute of Technology
  2. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  3. Saint Anselm College
  4. Northeastern University
  5. Saint Michael’s College
  6. Stonehill College
  7. Sacred Heart University
  8. Quinnipiac University
  9. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  10. Rochester Institute of Technology

Your search for a private high school, made simpler.

We invite you to explore the reasons why STA is considered the top private high school in the Seacoast region. Visit our beautiful campus, learn more about our approach to education, and experience a faith-filled community where your teen can thrive.

SCHEDULE A TOUR

Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (603) 742-3206 or admission@stalux.org. We’re excited to meet you soon!