St. Thomas More Catholic School

1065 Summit Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55105

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 23, 2020

All three of our kids attend STM, and we can't say enough positive things about this school. They are loved and truly cared for by every one of the teachers and staff. It truly is a community rooted in the Jesuit spirit of service, inclusion and seeing the divine in all people and all things. All are truly welcome at STM.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2019

This school has been a dream come true for my child. The small class sizes are ideal for learning and the responsiveness of the teachers is great. I'm so grateful that he gets this wonderful experience. He has grown so much - into an amazing young person.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2019

Our family has had a great experience at STM. We started out in the preschool, without planning to use the grade-school.... Our preschool experience was wonderful and during those years got to know faculty and families, and ended up staying! We participate in the Extended Day as well as the Summer Program.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2019

This school is exceptional at developing high achieving students. The faculty and staff are involved, engaged and truly care about each child. My children have attended here from preschool on and they are testing above average for all subjects. They are confident readers, writers, speakers/presenters and have good friend groups. The opportunities are endless with after school activities and school sports.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2019

My children attended STM for two years. The first year was good with some areas of improvement but the second year was horrible. My daughter was picked on and it was clear the families did not understand how to engage with diverse families. She was even physically assaulted and I was not informed until after the school day and the child who assaulted her was able to continue bullying her. Teachers did not consider diverse learners and the "deficiencies" that were describes, now in a new environment are being celebrated for the very things STM said she was not good at. They create a very elitist environment. i
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2018

My child is in the full-day preschool program for kids 33 months - 1st day of kindergarten (5yr) and it is an amazing preschool!! I shopped around and researched a ton of preschools in the St. Paul area and STM's preschool is fantastic. It is very affordable for what you get. It offers 7am-6pm, Monday-Friday with a "real-school feel" to help little ones get ready for kindergarten. The preschoolers get weekly classes in Spanish, Art, Music and Phy.Ed with additional enrichment programming from the Young Rembrandt Drawing curriculum and Amazing Athletes. They also use Conscious Curriculum in the classrooms to help teach social-emotional skills. The preschool offers a 3yr room and two 4yr/pre-k classrooms with unbelievably loving and skilled teachers and small class sizes. The preschool has large, bright and newly renovated classrooms that offer beautiful spaces for early childhood learning. The preschoolers also get access to 2 outdoor playgrounds/play structures, a huge indoor gymnasium for the winter months, a separate nap room and have free play in a separate extended day playroom in the early morning/late evening. Such nice variety in play space! Also, the kindergarten teacher spends a few afternoons getting to know the preschoolers, so if you decide to keep your child at STM for kindergarten, they are ready to go with an easy transition. STM has Principle Pat Lofton back this year, which is already reinvigorating the energy and has brought back very strong leadership to the school. The community and school is excited.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2016

My child has attended this school K-8. When they started out there was an excellent principal but we are now on our 4th. There has been declining enrollment and an extremely high amount of teacher turnover. There was a serious issue with inappropriate behavior in the sixth grade that led to several students transferring to other schools. At least two children left mid year during their sixth grade year due to bullying. Sadly, the offenders still remain and continue on without repercussions. We have also experienced a great deal of bullying and despite bringing it to the attention of the teachers and principal the offenders still remain. The same students that bully others are always the ones disrupting the classes. The school went thru two Art teachers last year due to the disrespect of the students. If you want your child in a Catholic school I would recommend Nativity. It is my understanding that they do not tolerate such behavior.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2016

My son started preschool at St. Thomas More this Fall. Already we have noticed how much he has learned, especially in areas of speech and social skills. It's a welcoming environment, with caring staff and great communication to parents. I would highly recommend this school!
Submitted by other on October 11, 2016

We love St. Thomas More school! All of our children have graduated from there. They were very well prepared for high school and college, with especially great writing skills. We know that the education they received k-8 at STM set them up for the success they have found as they further their education. We also loved the respectful but joyful atmosphere at STM. They were very happy there and loved going to school!
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2016

STM goes above and beyond for its kids! Class sizes are small, curriculum is challenging, and there are so many opportunities beyond core subject areas. Art, language, music, health and wellness, character development, and contributing to the community are part of STM's everyday schedule while other schools are cutting them out. STM students are better prepared for high school academics than peers from other schools.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2014

My school is excellent because it is ensconced in a wonderful and supportive community. Overall, this provides a wonderful learning environment for the students. The teachers are wonderful and parental involvement is highly encouraged. In addition, the kids have art, music, gym and Spanish - all with amazing instructors. I wish I could have gone to a school like this when I was a youngster. The older kids look out for the younger kids as they have buddies from kindergarten an u p (so kinder/8th grade buddies, 1st grade/7th grade buddies and so on). We do need a great leader who will be able to make positive and long-lasting contributions to this wonderful school!
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

St. Thomas More has THE best teachers. They are dedicated and will work as a team member with the parents to bring out the best in the kids. Our middle school teachers not only prepare our students for high school but they also are helping to prepare them to be good people in the world as they navigate the sometimes tough world of middle school. When I have a question, they are there to answer it and when I have a concern, they listen and help find a solution. They also know how to have fun. My son just returned from a week at Wolf Ridge with his 7th grade class. I think one of the things he enjoyed the most was seeing his teachers out of the classroom having fun and engaging them in all the activities there. Teachers can some of the most influential people in a young person's life. I feel blessed that my kids are being influenced by the teachers at St. Thomas More School.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

This school is amazing. The teachers are so caring. They even came to my sons violin recital on a Saturday to show their support !!
Submitted by teacher on August 14, 2013

I cannot wait to begin the new school year, and have all the children back in the building. There is so much happening and so many new ideas taking shape. We have a new Principal who is dynamic and engaging and excited to be here. The teachers are ready to begin the most important job of educating children. Here's to a fantastic year!
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2013

I am a parent of 4 with one child ,currently, in 2nd grade at STM. Next year I will have second child at STM in kindergarten. I have been extremely pleased with the school, education, principle, teachers and strong family community. The academic experience has been fantastic. The teachers teach to the students and challenge them all vs. teaching to the classroom. It is well rounded with Spanish, art, music, technology, phy. ed, etc. Our daughter enjoys going to school every day and I believe that is a result of the loving and caring community that is within and surrounds the school. We are very blessed to have found, be part of and continue to be part of the STM community!
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2013

I have three boys at STM. In our seven years at the school, we have found the academics fit our children's needs--they are challenged when they need to be, encouraged when they are tentative and helped when they are struggling. The teachers do a great job of taking individual personalities and learning styles into account when teaching. In addition to great classroom teachers, the specialist teachers (art, music, gym, spanish tech) do a great job of rounding out the academic experience. The leadership of the school is strong. The principal has a clear vision that is well communicated to the entire community. The school community is active and welcoming. Parents are very involved from tutoring to being in classrooms to fundraising.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2013

Our family has had 2 children graduate from St. Thomas More and presently has 2 children at STM. Our older children left STM prepared for honors and AP classes in high school. More importantly, they left STM with a strong sense of morality, community and service. Our younger children continue their journey in this safe, loving and dynamic community. Over the years, our children have had many different strengths and weaknesses. The STM teachers, staff and principal have consistently and lovingly responded to our children - providing whatever is needed to ensure their education and well being. With each of our encounters with the STM teachers and principal, our confidence and gratitude grow. We are always blown away by the support and commitment to our children. At STM, our children have the best of both worlds - an academically competitive curriculum and a safe place to grow and develop. We are truly fortunate to have found STM!
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2013

I am a parent of two children attending STM, a daughter in 4th grade and a son in kindergarten. We have a third child who will attend kindergarten in two years. STM has far surpassed our expectations, as an academic institution and as a community. The school's philosophy, encouraged by the principal and embraced by the teachers, is to teach to the child, not to the classroom. We have experienced this in many ways. As a result, the school is academically excellent, producing kids who have learned how to problem solve in many disciplines. Moreover, the behavioral expectations are high. The golden rule is stressed and enforced at all levels. There is nothing else I could ask for from an academic institution.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2013

I am a parent who has had children at the school for the past 12 years. Not only have my children been well prepared for any high school in the area, they learn the value of service and building community. A prominent local high school teachers said, "I can always tell which students come from St. Thomas More." The current principal is visionary, dedicated to the students. And the teachers are excellent. I strongly recommend this school for parents who are seeking academic excellence, strong parent involvement, excellent teachers and a terrific principal.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2013

I am a parent of three girls who have been in the school for from k up to 7th grade. This has been a positive experience year after year. From kindergarten where they learned the joy of school to Middle school where we are competing in the Regional Science fair, my children have been challenged and supported year after year. On top of this is the solid and loving school community. You really are a part of a village raising your child.