Academic Departments

The mission of the 9-12 Language Arts Department is to continue the development of skills relating to thinking, reading, writing, speaking and listening: the foundation of all human interaction.

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School requires three years of math to graduate but recommends that all students take four years of math. The Math Department offers an extensive list of classes to assist students in attaining their future goals.

There are multiple opportunities for students to earn college credit:

• Dual enrollment with Johnson County Community College:
• College Algebra, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC.
• Advanced Placement exam: AP Precalculus, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC.

The sciences relate the study of the natural world through observation. St. Thomas Aquinas, Patron Saint of Students, was a student of St. Albert the Great, Patron Saint of Science, providing a unique opportunity for integration of faith and reason into the classroom content through historical connections.

Three years of science are required by the State of Kansas, based on a typical sequence of Biology (Honors/Regular), Chemistry 1 (Honors/Regular), and Physics 1(Honors/Regular).

The mission of Social Studies education in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is to prepare students to evaluate and to act upon socially significant material in accordance with Catholic tradition and values.

Studying a language that is new to them exposes students to a new culture, new customs and new opportunities.

Saint Thomas Aquinas students in the class of 2028 and beyond are required to take two consecutive years of the same language during their high school careers beginning their freshman year. Students in the class of 2026 and 2027 must complete 2 years of the same language. This gives them the option of continuing with a third and fourth year of language study.

To graduate, students must complete Digital Creative Apps. The skills taught in Digital Creative Apps will benefit students as they encounter technology across all curricular areas at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, enrollment in the course is recommended during freshman year.

Students participating in the Fine Arts Department learn and demonstrate basic skills and appreciation of  visual art, theater and music performance. Students are required to take one credit of Fine Arts.

The Family and Consumer Science department offers courses in Foods and Nutrition, Clothing, Interior Design and Child Development.

The Physical Education department requires students to take PE1 or PE1 Wts as a freshman. Health will be taught online concurrently in that class. Two PE classes and one health class are required for graduation.

Drafting is an introduction to the industry. AutoCAD is introduced. Students are expected to purchase basic drafting equipment to use in class. Principles of Applied Engineering I and II are introduced to CAD programs such as Fusion360, AutoCAD, TinkerCAD and SketchUp, as well as other programs and applications as appropriate. Students will be expected to compete in area engineering competitions. *These courses also found under Fine Arts.