Academic Counseling

The Academic Counseling Student Service Team supports and assist students, parents and faculty in the academic educational process.

Our Role

We meet with students and parents various times throughout the year to assist students with upcoming events that are beneficial in achieving our academic mission.
We plan and implement programs, which provide information and assistance to the parents and students concerning post secondary issues for high school students.
We support the Aquinas administration and faculty in their academic pursuits - keeping in mind the best interest of our students and their future.

Register for the ACT

Please visit www.actstudent.org to create an account or log back in to register for an ACT national test date.

CLICK HERE to register for the ACT. Find STA test site option by using test center code: 157580

Next Available Test is October 28

Registration Deadline: September 22

Register here

Registration & Test Dates 2023-2024
ACT Fee Waivers

Registration & Test Dates 2023-2024

*Indicates that Saint Thomas Aquinas HS is a test center for the date.

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline (Additional Fee)
Sept 9, 2023*	Aug 4, 2023	Aug 18, 2023
Oct 28, 2023*	Sept 22, 2023	Oct 6, 2023
Dec 9, 2023*	Nov 3, 2023	Nov 17, 2023
Feb 10, 2024*	Jan 5, 2024	Jan 19, 2024
Apr 13, 2024*	Mar 8, 2024	Mar 22, 2024
June 8, 2024*	May 3, 2024	May 17, 2024
July 13, 2024	June 7, 2024	June 21, 2024

Our Academics

Grades are reported in percentages and no letter grades are given. Grades below 67% are considered failing. A bonus of five (5) points will be added to the GPA calculation of any honors course if the grade is 77% or above. Semester grades are an accumulation of grades given throughout the entire semester in addition to the semester exam grade. Generally, semester exams will be worth no more than 20% of the semester grade. The final semester grade is the only grade that goes on a student’s transcript.

Honor Roll

Graduation Requirements

Theology	4
English	4
Fine Arts	1
Latin & 2 World Language OR 3 World Language	3
Business/Technology	1
Mathematics	3
Physical Education	1
Science	3
Social Studies	3
Speech	.5
Electives	3.5

TOTAL ACADEMIC CREDITS FOR GRADUATION	27
Catholic Outreach Community Service	1

Options for PE

Option 1
Health (only) Course for PE 10. $130 per student

Click here to enroll in Health (only) PE 10 Course
Contact Patty Jordan at pjordan@stasaints.net or 913-319-2456
Once registered you must meet with Mrs. Jordan for policies and procedures.
Schedule testing 24 hours in advance by emailing pjordan@stasaints.net
NO TESTING ON FRIDAYS

Option 2
Summer School PE at Saint Thomas Aquinas

Alumni transcript request

Academic Recovery

Academic Probation

Any student failing two or more academic courses for a semester will be placed on academic probation.

Students who are on academic probation two semesters in a row will not be allowed to return to Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.

In addition to the above, in order to remain at Saint Thomas Aquinas, a student must be making reasonable progress toward graduation. Reasonable progress will be viewed as credits in the required graduation curriculum as follows:

At the beginning of:

10th grade – a student must have a minimum of 6 academic credits.
11th grade – a student must have a minimum of 13 academic credits.
12th grade – a student must have a minimum of 20 academic credits.

* Note: academic credits do not include Catholic Outreach service hours credit.

Students who end the prior grade with fewer than the above “specified credits” need to enroll in summer school. One credit is the customary maximum credit available during the summer. Academic Counseling must approve all classes taken by STA students from an outside source. Saint Thomas Aquinas reserves the right to require that specific courses be taken from our faculty.

Credit Recovery

Option 1: Edgenuity

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School’s online credit recovery program allows students to get back on track for graduation from STA. The online coursework through Edgenuity is self-paced, (within a deadline), to acquire a needed credit(s) because of failing a course. Edgenuity, is an NCAA approved curriculum and will prepare students for success at the next level.

Step 1: Discuss and seek approval from Deb Castinado, Director of Academic Counseling, dcastinado@stasaints.net

Step 2: After discussion and approval granted, enroll and pay for class.

Step 3: Student and parent will receive email from Patty Jordan with instructions, passwords, etc to get started with Edgenuity course.

CLICK HERE to sign up for the Edgenuity Classes.

Edgenuity courses are set up on a semester basis. This allows a student to only retake the semester of a course that they failed.
Final Grade does not replace failing grade, but will be calculated into cumulative GPA. Final passing grade is 67% once all work is completed and graded.
Only 2 full credits can be recovered over the 4 years a student is at STA.
The cost per semester for each class is $200.
Director of Academic Counseling, Deb Castinado, will discuss and approve students who are to take an Edgenuity course prior to enrollment.
Once receipt of enrollment and payment is received, students and parents will receive an email from Patty Jordan, STA registrar, with instructions to get started with course.
Coursework is completed at student’s own pace but within a stated deadline given by Mrs. Castinado. Failure to complete course by stated deadline will result in a grade penalty at discretion of administration of STA. In some cases, administration may decide that the course will be put in a student's schedule for the upcoming school year which can result in a substantial change in a student's schedule.
Tests must be taken at STA. Tests will be proctored on days stated that the building is open and counseling office personnel is available. Test day availability will be stated to both student and parent in the email Patty Jordan sends when enrolled. Testing is by appointment only. Students must email Patty Jordan twenty four (24) hours in advance to schedule a time to test.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

TAKE NOTES throughout the course. It helps you learn to summarize and synthesize the information.
PRINT OUT PROBLEMS to work on paper if that would work better for you
STAY ON PACE. The pacing guide given by Edgenuity is very helpful.
CHECK ASSIGNMENT CALENDAR often
SET A CONSISTENT SCHEDULE. Set aside a certain amount of time at a certain time of day to work and study
FIND A QUIET PLACE TO WORK AND STUDY. Find a place where you can focus and are not distracted.

Questions? Contact Patty Jordan, pjordan@stasaints.net 913-319-2456 or Deb Castinado, dcastinado@stasaints.net 913-319-2453

Option 2: Accelerated Schools of Overland Park
Courses available for credit. Please get approval from Mrs. Castinado prior to enrolling

Study Tips

Academic Support

Webinars

Four Year Planning Presentation

Four Year Plan Presentation

The slideshow presentation from the Four Year Planning workshop on February 10, 2020 is below.
Information regarding courses required for graduation, college planning, and career planning are included on the slide presentation.

If you have specific questions please contact:

Deb Castinado- Academic Counseling dcastinado@stasaints.net
Liz Majors- College Advisor lmajors@stasaints.net
Laura Oliva- Career Planning and Social Emotional Counseling loliva@stasaints.net

Senior Course Applications

National Honors Society

To be eligible for membership in the National Honor Society, the candidate must be a junior or senior and have been at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School the equivalent of one semester. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of their demonstrated academics, service, leadership, and character. A NHS council composed of faculty evaluates candidate information and makes recommendations for selection. Students who exhibit behavior in or out of school contrary to the mission of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School may not be eligible. Information about the selection process may be obtained from the NHS sponsors.

In general, selection is based upon the following and must reflect a level of excellence and variety in each area:

Academics – students must have a cumulative GPA of 95% or above

Service – students must show evidence of service beyond what is required by the school

Leadership – students are judged on performance in a variety of areas such as elected office, chairmanships, group leadership, or other demonstrated leadership skills

Character – students with referrals in the current or previous semester will not be admitted. Multiple detentions or other similar activity may result in a student not being selected.

Students who meet the academic standard are notified and given information and packets in January.

Students must return completed packets by the designated deadline and are notified by mail regarding selection or non-selection. Written appeals may be made by the student to the selection committee if a student believes an error has occurred in the notification of eligibility or the mathematical miscalculation of the GPA. Non-selection or the student’s failure to complete the packet correctly are not matters of appeal.

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