EXPLORE OUR DYNAMIC CURRICULUM

In a world that constantly evolves, a curriculum that adapts and innovates is paramount for building versatile learners prepared to navigate the challenges of an ever changing world. From interdisciplinary approaches to experiential learning, embracing a dynamic curriculum fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong passion for discovery. See what STA has to offer and schedule an appointment with a school counselor to discuss your options.

What are the requirements for graduation?

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

For graduation from St. Thomas, a student is required to complete four (4) years of high school and earn a minimum of 24.5 credits at STA. Additionally, all students must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) subjects each year. Below is a comprehensive list of the credits and courses necessary for obtaining your high school diploma from STA. Please review the following requirements carefully to ensure you are on track for graduation.

CREDITS BREAKDOWN

24.5 credits
Twenty-four (24) credits must be taken at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
4 credits Theology
4 credits English
4 credits Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II are required)
3 credits Science* (Biology & Chemistry are required)
3 credits Social Studies (World History) (American History) (Economics/American Government)
2 credits World Languages** – in the same language, 2 consecutive years (colleges recommend 3)
0.5 credit Personal Fitness (must be taken by the beginning of Sophomore year)
0.5 credit Health (must be taken by the beginning of Sophomore year)
1.0 credit Fine Arts
2.0 credits Electives
0.5 credit Online Course (Online courses must be completed prior to the close of CAVA Virtual Summer School after the student’s freshman year.) Failure to comply will result in administrative review.

All online courses must be completed through the CAVA Virtual School, unless otherwise administratively approved. Details about the CAVA Virtual School are available in the School Counseling Department.

*Some colleges recommend 4 years of Science.

**In order to obtain a high school diploma from STA, all students must complete at least two consecutive years of the same language; however, most universities recommend at least three years. Bright Futures requires two consecutive years of the same language.

STA Graduation Credits Policy

Students are required to maintain a minimum 2.00 unweighted cumulative GPA in order to receive a diploma. Additionally, students must maintain a semester 2.0 GPA (unweighted) to participate in athletics or extracurricular activities.

Any senior deficient in credit will not receive an academic diploma until all necessary credit requirements are fulfilled. Participation in the graduation ceremony requires satisfactory completion of all school requirements and is at the discretion of the administration. If any student has more than 0.5 credits missing, he/she cannot participate in the graduation ceremony. Receipt of the diploma presumes that all academic requirements have been met and that the student has satisfactorily completed the graduation ceremony.

Credits are determined on a semester basis. A passing grade of 60% allows a student to earn one-half (0.5) credit each semester in a given course.

Any loss of credit must be made up at St. Thomas Aquinas High School or at an administratively-approved, accredited high school. A full credit in Theology must be earned each year to allow a current student re-admittance to St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School offers courses to meet the academic needs of its students. St. Thomas Aquinas High School establishes Individualized Learning Plans (ILP) for students seeking accommodations with proper documentation of a disability. St. Thomas Aquinas High School provides the following accommodations: 50% extended time and preferential seating.

All students in Archdiocese of Miami (ADOM) schools are presented with two Teaching Boundary Safety lessons each academic year. These required lessons are a component of the ADOM Safe Environment Policy. Lessons are approved and required by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The lessons are developed to empower students to recognize inappropriate behavior and establish their own appropriate relationship boundaries.

GPAs will be computed using grades from courses taken at STA and any courses with an appropriate FLDOE number taken during middle school. In addition, this includes any administratively-approved online courses.

Beginning with the Class of 2028, middle school courses taken for high school credit will not factor in to the St. Thomas Aquinas High School GPA but will show on the transcript.

Do I need to take the ACT?

I would like more information about Advanced Placement Programs

Advanced Placement Programs of the College Board are also offered in the following areas: AP Capstone: Research, AP Capstone: Seminar, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, French Language and Culture, Human Geography, Italian Language and Culture, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Music Theory, Physics 1, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, Psychology, Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature and Culture, Statistics, Studio Art: 2-D, Studio Art: 3-D, Studio Art: Drawing, United States Government and Politics, United States History, and World History: Modern.

In May, all Advanced Placement students will sit for every Advanced Placement examination for which they are enrolled. The fee for each AP examination is set by the College Board and will be billed to tuition statements. Any AP student who does not take the AP exam in May, without Administrative approval, will forfeit the AP weight for each course.

I would like more information about Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment courses offered include: World Religions, Multi-Cultural Studies, Marine Biology, Ecology, Composition, Composition and Literature, Pre-Calculus: Trigonometry, Calculus I, Calculus III, Ordinary Differential Equations, Ethics, Philosophy II, and Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II.

All fees for Dual Enrollment courses must be paid to the university by the completion of the third week of the semester. Failure to do so will result in the student being withdrawn from the class.