St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

Posted: January 13, 2016

STA is home, community, faith based, academically strong, our pastor, priests, teachers, staff and administration go above and beyond. I know my kids love their school ! No school is perfect, but I believe we strive to be the best we can be for our kids and families.

Posted: October 8, 2015

Love everything about STA! My Children are taught, guided, and loved! The staff truly is helping us get our children to heaven!

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

St. Thomas Aquinas has offered only the best to my children! From academic to spiritual guidance, it's top notch! They pride themselves in teaching to the individual child, and that they do! Teachers and the support learning staff go above and beyond to make each child a success throughout their student career at STA. The teachers, staff, administrators, Father Matt and Father Andy do an incredible job to make St. Thomas the wonderful school that it is! I HIGHLY recommend St. Thomas to any parent looking for a new school and home away from home for their child!

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

We have been at this school for seven years and have had nothing but absolutely positive experiences. The faith based academic curriculum is not only prevalent in all subjects its encouraged throughout the school and activities outside the classroom. The academics at STA are not only sufficient they are challenging and at times overly demanding for the students. However, these kids are WELL prepared when they get to high school, and we know this from past KMC friends and family members.

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

Posted: June 3, 2014

If I could use one word to describe St. Thomas school , it would be the word "mean" . Bullying is a problem because kindness and compassion are lacking and it starts at the top and works its way down. My child experienced rough situations (some physical) that you would expect to see at an inner city school not a small supposedly faith based school. For a Catholic school, it could be run better. Much better.

Posted: July 17, 2013

I think that maybe an upset parent wrote multiple reviews. As a former student just a few years ago, I always felt at home at this school. All of the teachers were amicable, capable, and willing to help when an opportunity presented itself. Academically, I was more than prepared for high school compared to other students from other schools. It offered opportunites for both athletic and academic and religious success and growth, the student must choose to succeed, because taking advantage of what one is given can create a great schooling experience at St. Thomas Aquinas.

Posted: June 29, 2013

We had a horrible experience with merely making an inquiry into sending our son to this school. The staff member that the principal had talk to us was absolutley terrible. She seemed to very elitist and talked down to us. I could not beleive this was a Catholic school. We walked away and knew we would not come back. Subsequent to our experience we have heard many negative things from parents about this school. We count our blessings that we did not send out son here.

Posted: June 16, 2013

I was a former student at sta, and am currently at kapaun. I really enjoyed my time at STA. However, there was some bullying, and there was no one to go to who would actually do much about it. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the principal. She is great. However, I feel the school needed someone who you could talk to and would actually step in. One thing I am very confused about is that people are saying that the faith wasn't stressed enough. Though bullying was a problem, this is not the case. In fact, sometimes the religion got to seem like it was overly stressed and annoying. I think it is a great school with great leaders and environment, with only minor setbacks.

Posted: June 16, 2013

St. Thomas has been a great school for our children. Great principal and Pastor. The staff is very competent , helpful and friendly.

Posted: April 29, 2013

There is no concern for bullying at STA. The students are told they should just get along. This school will not get any quality rating as long as they sweep the bullying issue under the rug. The current priests are political conservatives who think that bullying is a character builder for children.

Posted: April 10, 2013

This school is the worst. We just up and left and could not be happier where we ended up. In fact we were even bullied by the administration on down for leaving but there comes a time when it is just not worth it anymore to take teachers and a principal and associate pastor who are rude and insulting to good families who do the right thing. I would NEVER recommend St. Thomas to anyone.

Posted: February 11, 2013

Make no doubt about it, this is a private school. Not a religion based school. If you think your kid has any kind of learning disability, I strongly suggest you looks elsewhere. Parent involvement is great, but unfortunately some of the staff only want cookie cutter type kids and the administration has no problem asking kids to leave. Read the reviews, for every review on here there are more that never voice their experiences. Each year kids are asked to leave.

Posted: August 23, 2012

The middle school has issues. Sorry. The kids need a leader. A principal who knows how to deal with the problems facing preteens. The athletic department could use an overhaul as well . There needs to be change in order for things to get better. Bullying is a huge problem. The school seems to encourage the aggressive and mean spirited kids and ignore the shy quiet ones. I think it has become a very sad place

Posted: August 21, 2012

This school is nothing short of outstanding. The teachers at this school truly care about the students. The amount of help that my sons have received here far exceeds any other school that I have been exposed to. The principal is very present to the kids and shows great leadership. The priests have added so much to the environment. I am very thankful for their strength and concern they show all students. There has been alot done about some bullying. (SOME) I am pleased with the administrative responses. I am very grateful for this school and what it has offered to my children.

Posted: June 17, 2012

Regarding one of the comments about middle school being about bullying and drama, let me say that unfortunately, that goes with the territory. It happens in every school- public, private or religious. However, I DO believe that the teachers and administration try to address the problem. They DO NOT sit back and watch! It is hard when a student goes through that, and the school acknowledges that. For the most part, it is a very welcoming and spiritual community. Academics are superb! This is a school constantly trying to improve itself. I have not seen such a hard working and committed principal anywhere else. Yes, there is politics in the athletic department. I suppose this is one area where parents need to decide if they want the trophies of just student participation. This is the one aspect where I see room for improvement. This is a school that excels in almost every area it tackles. To me, that is commendable. Parents are always welcome to participate and share views. Teachers are committed and invested in our students. I support STA wholeheartedly. One more thing: the Faith is a strong component of every day life at STA.

Posted: June 13, 2012

We have been blessed to attend St. Thomas school from 3 yr. old preschool through 2nd grade and I wholeheartedly rate our experience as excellent! If you are searching for a school with strong academics, great school leadership, and dedication to religous education, morals and values, then St. Thomas Aquinas School is for you. As parents who could choose any school experience in Wichita - we choose STA. Problems arise (big or small) in every child's academic years, and the way those issues are handled directly affects that child's future self-esteem and social abilities. In our experience, St. Thomas School has done a great job of resolving those types of issues. Parent involvement is no doubtedly higher than average and the teachers and administrators are willing to work together with parents for the best academic/religous experience available. Let the staff at STA show you what I already know - schedule a tour and see for yourself! (I guarantee that you will smile when EVERYONE in the school stops to say the morning and afternoon prayers together). Sincerely, Sharon Reusser

Posted: June 11, 2012

Reading all of the comments have been very helpful. What I notice is that parents do not seem to have a voice or a say at the school. The sad part is that when they leave a comment here, they are attacked by the "supporters". It is okay to not like something. It doesn't make you a better parent to go blindly along and never question. I am on this site researching schools to send my kids to since I am not all that happy with STA. It is not a horrible school but it is not that great either. The school makes Collegiate and Independant look like better options. The only thing that I think about that has kept me at STA is that KMC is a great high school and my family would like my kids to go there. It is a family tradition. But if we leave, we leave.

Posted: June 5, 2012

I just read the previous opinions posted on this sight. St Thomas Aquinas is a quality school, with an outstanding principal and parish priest. We are very blessed to have them. They work very hard to provide our students with a safe and healthy environment to learn and grow. To say this school is anything less than top notch is narrow minded and uninformed. Spend a little more time praying for your child's health, happiness, and holiness; and a little less time criticizing.

Posted: May 20, 2012

There has been NO crackdown on bullying at this school. In my opinion and those of my children, it has gotten much worse. As for the academics, they are just okay. STA is no All Saints or any of the other Catholic Schools in Wichita that are performing better. I don't know if we will even stick around for middle school.

Posted: May 17, 2012

I have three children who go to STA. My wife and I have been very happy with the quality of education and religious studies. We have seen strong emphasis on both and hope it continues. The test scores are some of the best in the state. Our children are more involved religiously than we ever were. There are tons of opportunities to volunteer your time if you are so inclined. Regarding the bullying comments, I can tell you the school over the last 2 years has clamped down on bullying to the point of almost being overly sensitive to it. My analysis as to why parents are critical of the school has come down to this: parents do not want o hold their kids to a higher standard. I won't deny the school has high requirements from an academic perspective. If you don't want to push your children to acheive their full potential then you may want to reconsider taking your child to STA. However, if you want your child to excel and be challenged and you are willing as a parent to not always be their friend, but instead be their mother and father, then this may be the place for you.

Posted: April 28, 2012

STA is hardly a Catholic School. The faith is barely a garnish on the educational plate. My son says some of his friends put the Eucharist in their pocket instead of in their mouth. They obviously don't understand the importance of their actions. The bullying here is unbelievable. I agree that the environment is aggressive and that almost encourages this bad behavior. The Priest has detatched from the school and the principal is not doing her job. It is time for the Bishop to clean house.

Posted: April 24, 2012

The culture of bullying at this school starts at the top. The principal is a bully, the vice principal is a bully and like the last person stated, the priest does NOT get involved and you can't even reach him when you have a problem. It is shocking but this school cares FAR more about money and their state assessment scores than about anything else. The idea that they truly care about their students' souls is a joke. This is just a rich kid school where parents buy a private education and if your aren't rich ENOUGH the education your child gets is not even up to the level of "mediocre."

Posted: February 29, 2012

When you have a problem, there is no one to go to. My child was bullied terribly and nothing was done because of the politics between the families and the administration. The parents of the bully are more well known then my family and child and so I guess we will just have to suffer, You cannot go talk to the Priest, he has people put in place to shield him from conflict. Nothing ever changes or gets solved. I find the middle school to be a terrible place and maybe we need a middle school principal and a lower school principal since nothing seems to ever get done. I have thought about pulling my child but we have a long history there. I find the whole situation very depressing.

Posted: February 24, 2012

As a former employee at this school, I witnessed both good and bad things. Yes, there is some politicing at this school, and that comes with the territory of a school in general, and with the certain wealth that some families have. There are also many great things about this school. There are learning opportunities and aides to help students who struggle and those who excell. There are, like in any school, some really great teachers, and some not so great. There are some problems, but honestly what school doesn't have problems? It is a large school, with large class sizes, and with that comes more numerous problems because of more personalities. And not every teacher or authority is going to know how to deal with all of those personalities. I do believe that this is a well rounded school, and the students get an above average education opportunity level. There is a lot of politics that go through this school and it consists of both the parent-body and the staff-body. But what can you expect when you put over 700 people together and try to get them to agree on the same thing? Some students do well in a large setting, others, in a small setting. Just find what fits your child.

Posted: February 23, 2012

It saddens me to see all of these negative reviews, when, at least I think, these are minorities feelings about STA. I have three children at the school currently (K-5), and have truly enjoyed the time my family has spent in the school. St. Thomas has wonderful parental support, the teachers are amazing and truly care about their students, and I have noticed a sense of community this year. Is everything at this school perfect? No, but my family really enjoys being at STA.

Posted: February 22, 2012

My children are out shadowing at other schools. I have had about all I can take from this school and the administration. We need a new principal and it looks like it is never going to happen and my family is tired of waiting.

Posted: January 11, 2012

Great Church, Great People, Terrible Middle School. The school could benefit from an intervention from the Diocese.

Posted: July 18, 2011

I grew up in this Parish. I went to school here. It is not the same. I am worried about my kids here. We are looking at homes in Andover so we can bypass STA. We need a new principal and a new direction.

Posted: July 13, 2011

We are leaving. This is not the school we remember. Everything has changed. The Catholic is gone from the school. Once you took the religion out, it is no better than the next public or private school.

Posted: July 7, 2011

As a former teacher at this school, I have to say I agree with many of the other reviews. I was there for 5+ years in multiple grade levels and have watched the principal run the school into the ground. The parent involvement is superb, but it has to be, to keep kids on the right page. Many of the curriculum used is outdated and teaches to the "normal" child. The teachers receive minimal, if any, money for their classroom and are expected to make unreasonable donations of "time and treasure". Kim Scanlan has taken the faith out of the school, and has literally made learning a business, and not a passion. It is my prayer that the Superintendent of this wonderful diocese sees the faults in STA and does some major overhauling. Many families and great staff members have left in order to restore faith in education... because STA sucked the faith right out of it.

Posted: June 27, 2011

My husband and I are having doubts about this school. They fired a lot of teachers and we went to the meeting before you can enroll your kids and received mixed messages like "it is a Catholic school not a private school" but if you fall behind on your tithe, make poor grades, or the principal does not like you (because you might complain or have a concern)..you will be asked to leave. Isn't that what private schools do? We have not hit the middle school years yet, I have heard that is when things get crazy. We are going back this coming school year, but if things don't improve, we will leave.

Posted: May 10, 2011

This school is not a traditional Catholic school and for some that is either good or bad. For some of my friends who did not have good experiences with Catholic schools when they were kids do not have a problem with the lack of a religious influence. It is very much a secular school. As parents, we can fill out surveys with our complaints but our concerns are ignored. Bring back the Faith and the school will turn around. The kids can be cruel to each other and bullying is a problem but I think the kids need guidance and that is sorely lacking. We have two more years left and we have looked into Magdalen and Ressurrection.

Posted: May 4, 2011

I am so happy that this year is almost over. We have not enjoyed the last few years at this school. Middle School is a mess and we can't wait to get to Kapaun. My children are so sick of STA and the problems there, they want to change churches and go to Magdalen. We have been members of this parish too long to change but I understand how they feel.

Posted: April 26, 2011

I don't know if we will be coming back next year. There seems to be problems between the students that the principal does not know how to fix. The kids are not a big priority there and I think my family has had enough. I really wanted a Catholic education for my kids but at what cost? Is this worth it? I don't know.

Posted: April 14, 2011

School has lost control of the kids. K-5 was okay but Middle School is crazy. Two words to describe the middle school : bullies and drama.