St Thomas Aquinas Grade School

Posted: May 20, 2025

To be completely honest, this school doesn’t do a great job at enforcing what is in their handbook. As a former student at STA, I’ve witnessed much of what the handbook describes as ‘zero tolerance’. If throwing Nazi salutes and telling women to go back to the kitchen is ‘zero tolerance’, then why are they still on student council? Why hasn’t anything been done about it?
The irony is insane, considering this is a Catholic school. This school doesn’t care about mental health either, nor do they prioritize it. They don’t even have a counselor you can go to.
In my 10+ years here, I’ve felt more alienated than included. Instead of a student body, it felt like one big inside joke that I was never in on. Please, to any parents reading this, consider sending your child(ren) to another school. This school will destroy their mental health.

Posted: May 20, 2025

Posted: May 20, 2025

Posted: May 20, 2025

Posted: May 20, 2025

Posted: May 20, 2025

Posted: May 20, 2025

Posted: May 20, 2025

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

I feel very strongly about this one. They do an awesome job molding well rounded students who are conscientious and disciplined learners.

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

Teachers teachers and staff are fantastic. Teachers differentiate for each student so whether your child is a little behind or a little advanced, they will be challenged daily. We love the school.

Posted: March 28, 2016

Most of the teachers at STA have advanced degrees and could make much more in a public school setting. Each of the staff have made a commitment and sacrifice to teach at this great school.

Posted: March 28, 2016

Posted: March 28, 2016

This is seen in the children of STA and evident in the stated Schoolwide Learning Expectations: “A St. Thomas Aquinas Student Is A Self-Disciplined Learner, Total Person, Active Catholic, Goal-Oriented Student and Successful Communicator."

Posted: March 28, 2016

St. Thomas Aquinas is an outstanding school with excellent teachers and administration. Almost all of the teachers have advanced degrees and genuinely care for their students. I have 2 children that have attended pre-kindergarten all the way to 8th grade and two children getting close to graduation. STA does a great job preparing a child educationally, spiritually and emotionally for high school. Keep up the great work STA!

Posted: November 21, 2014

I went to St. Thomas Aquinas from kindergarten all the way to 8th grade, and I can tell you right now that I had an absolutely incredible and one-of-a-kind experience. The teaching staff is ridiculously amazing - I learned so much in every subject and was so well-prepared for high school that I started off my freshman year taking all honors and Advanced Placement courses. Throughout my nine years at St. Thomas, I was blessed with the constant encouragement and positive reinforcement provided by my teachers every year. They always pushed me to be the best that I could be. I formed close relationships with every teacher, particularly my junior high instructors. The class sizes are small, and it was always so comforting to know that, to your teachers, you are not just another familiar face, but rather someone that they know intimately and well enough that I literally could turn to them for anything at all. I was provided with such an incredible academic, spiritual, and moral foundation that I honestly do not think that any other school could match.

Posted: November 11, 2013

I have found the academic load to be a bit rigorous, but the results, fantastic!

Posted: January 10, 2013

I have been in Arizona for 4 years. It took 3.5 yrs to find a school which offered quality education, reasonable classroom sizes (24 students on average), educators who are teachers - not just doing their job. We have 2 children in school currently - 5th and 1st. They are doing well and my husband and I are extremely happy with the eduction. My 5th graders has some holes in his learning so this school has taken the time to assess him, identify those areas and develop a plan with us to work on those areas. His progress is noticeable. This school is definitely taking the time to identify problem areas for children and working on them. If you are looking for a great school - this is it!

Posted: March 2, 2012

Maybe a notch below average here or there. Students get basics but do not have access to art or music room or labs. Some classrooms have older computers that may limit media options. Integration of technology into learning is limited. Additional programming is all pay to play. You pay for premium but get basic. Teachers are fundamentally strong and caring;many go above and beyond.

Posted: February 17, 2012

This school is average on every account. Nothing out of the ordinary. That is about it.

Posted: April 4, 2011

STA is a warm, loving environment, and we are honored and priviledged to have the opportunity to send our children to this school. Excellent teachers from PK-8, working together to provide a safe, nurturing, spiritual, and challenging academic programs. The parents are actively involved in the school, and our active in the church as well. The children in the school are held to high expectations, and the result is polite, engaging students at all levels. We could not be happier to be a part of this wonderful school and church community.

Posted: March 24, 2011

The academics are good, but they are very traditional, inflexible and rigid in thinking and practice. If you're child fits the Catholic school kid mold, and apparently there is such a mold, then this is the place to spend your hard earned money. And keep in mind that the more you contribute financially to the school and parish, the better your experience will be. The teachers and administration have proved untrustworthy and deceiving. It is always clear that there is another agenda. Communication is lacking.

Posted: January 5, 2011

We cannot be more pleased with our school. The principal has this marvelous combination of fun and high expectations! We truly believe that our children are receiving a top-notch education and will be prepared for their high school years. Grades K-8 have experienced teachers with clear expectations. Grades 6-8 have exceptional, professional educators. We love that our children attend a small school where parents are involved and families know each other well! Even our office staff is outstanding...friendly and helpful.

Posted: November 10, 2009

Posted: September 4, 2009