Why choose Catholic School? Why choose St. Thomas the Apostle?

Why choose Catholic School? What is the Catholic School Advantage? Why choose St. Thomas the Apostle School?

Are you looking for a great school to enroll your child? For around $30 a day, just $150 a week, you can give your child a Catholic Education. St. Thomas the Apostle School, of Bloomfield, is waiting for you to come and see all the greatness within our walls. Students from grades Pre-k through 8th grade are challenged daily and are academically successful in all that they do.

St. Thomas the Apostle School offers highly rated educators, a rigorous academic curriculum, the latest technology, faith-based learning, differentiated instruction, a nurturing and caring environment, and so much more.

St. Thomas the Apostle School displays excellence in every facet of their educational practices. The students in the middle school portion of St. Thomas the Apostle School are given every opportunity to succeed and master their core subjects. These students have proven to be well prepared for high school. Throughout grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 the students in St. Thomas the Apostle School are challenged with a rigorous academic curriculum, differentiated instruction, collaborative projects, and state of the art technology, all while maintaining their faith based focus and following the teachings of our greatest teacher Jesus Christ.

Education is ever expanding and growing. The students at St. Thomas the Apostle School are always staying up to date with the changes in education. The administration and teachers work tirelessly to ensure all measures of academic excellence are met. Our students have proven to be ready for high school and the challenges which stand before them. Recent graduates of St. Thomas the Apostle School have been accepted to Regis, Seton Hall Prep, St. Joseph's, St. Peter's Prep, Mount St. Dominic, Paramus Catholic, IHA, Immaculate Conception, Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco, Lacordaire, St. Dominic's, and many more. Not only are our students accepted, over 75% receive substantial scholarships to these academic institutions.

To ensure that our students are continuously challenged the most up to date technology is brought into the classroom such as smart boards, iPads, ChromeBooks and Mac Computers. Our reading and illiteracy assessments are being upgraded with Benchmark Assessments by Fountas and Pinnell. STEM, Science, and Synergistic projects are being enhanced and assessed to meet all of the needs of our learners and community. Just as education continues to grow, so do we at St. Thomas the Apostle School. It is imperative that we do everything to remain one of the masterful academic institutions in our area. It is our goal to ensure that our students master their subjects now and retain that knowledge all throughout their future endeavors

We are always welcoming to new families who would like to join the St. Thomas the Apostle School family. Please feel free to call 973-338-8505 or email our knowledgeable office staff at staoffice@staschoolnj.org to set up a tour, or receive information. As always information is available 24/7 on our website at www.staschoolnj.org. Remember at St. Thomas the Apostle School "When you enroll your child, we enroll your family".

“A Traditional, Timeless, and Supportive Blend of Family and Catholic Ideals

Saint Thomas the Apostle School is an Archdiocese of Newark elementary school of students from pre-kindergarten through grade 8, located in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The student to teacher ratio is standard 20:1

Our cornerstone is the traditional, timeless, and supportive blend of family and Catholic ideals. We thrive upon a family and school partnership. Our faculty relies on the family as the primary educator, an educator with a daily and cooperative role. Your child will flourish in mind, body and spirit and your entire family will benefit from the vibrant and wholesome experience that is Saint Thomas the Apostle School.

Mission Statement

At Saint Thomas the Apostle School, our mission is to provide students with a challenging and comprehensive education integrating spiritual values rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition. We cultivate and herald the growth of our students in mind, body, and spirit, preparing them to take their place in the Church and in the world, in roles of leadership and service.

Philosophy

We believe that:

•We guide our students to grow in faith and knowledge in a God-centered environment, instilling the moral values necessary to enable our children to lead good Christian lives.

•We endeavor to touch hearts, nurture souls, kindle minds, and inspire lives.

•We strive to awaken in each child, a love, desire, and appreciation for learning in a Catholic environment.

•We recognize that all children are created equal in the sight of God, and that each child has unique qualities that deserve our recognition and respect.

•We rely on faith, and with love, on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and encourage our students to live its message.

•We educate the “whole person”, preparing our students to live joyfully, capable and confident that they, just as the Catholic school they attend, can make a difference.

•We celebrate an attitude of successful achievement with each learner impacting his or her success with hard work and determination.

•We give witness, by example, to the value of self-discipline, consideration of other people’s feelings and property and manners.

•We teach our children to be aware of and care about the plight of other people, in our school community, our local community, national community, and global community.

•We guide our children in their growth and development, integrating respect for the Creator, respect for self, and respect for others, to use their talents and gifts to serve others, so that they may become future leaders of the Catholic Church and greater community.”( http://www.staschoolnj.org/stta/)

The Catholic School Advantage as stated on The Archdiocese of Newark School’s Office website: “The Catholic School advantage is reflected in the philosophy that permeates the total education program and the lives of the faculty and students. This philosophy challenges students to improve the world by sharing Gospel values and living Christ’s message of salvation. They grow to understand the roots of their faith and their responsibilities as Christians.

Students explore their faith through classes and activities in Scripture, Sacraments, Church, and morality.

Catholic Schools stress the value of self-discipline and commitment.

Faculty and staff are role models who share their faith, their talents, and their time.

While not all students who come to the Catholic Schools are Catholic, all share experiences of faith and values.

Catholic Schools encourage each student to accept the challenges of being a Christian in tomorrow’s world.

Values which promote understanding and service to the elderly and the handicapped, the poor and the ill, are an important part of the Catholic School experience. As a faith community, we emphasize those values which encourage students to accept others rather than exclude them, to understand the difference between right and wrong, and to commit themselves to serve God by serving others.”

Excellence in Academic Achievement

A Catholic education is a challenging education. High standards, strong motivation, effective discipline and an atmosphere of caring combine to foster excellence, and, a high quality of student performance is supported by the evidence.

Catholic School students score significantly above the national averages on standardized testing.

Research shows that because of a greater emphasis on homework and study, Catholic School students develop more effective writing skills.

Catholic High School students attend post-secondary education at a rate in excess 98% in the Archdiocese of Newark and are more likely to complete their program of studies.

Catholic Schools have an excellent success rate in educating minority students.

While providing a stimulating and demanding education, Catholic Schools give students a high level of individualized attention and personal sharing. This commitment is reinforced by participation in programs for advanced students and for those experiencing difficulties in reading, writing, and math.

Family and Community

A Catholic School recognizes the parents and family as primary educators and joins with them to form a living community of shared visions.

Catholic Schools help students understand that each person is unique and valuable.

Catholic Schools join with the family to help students understand their special place in the family, the Church, and society.

Catholic Schools encourage family input and involvement in the ongoing education of their children. Research shows that such a partnership results in higher attendance rates and lower dropout rates.

Catholic Schools strive to create a special bond among the students, the home, the school, and the church, so that all share the strong sense of community.

Every child shares in an educational environment filled with love and concern — a community joining together to help create a better world.

Maintaining High Standards

Catholic Schools engage in an ongoing process of evaluation, certification, and accreditation of both teachers and programs. Their accountability guarantees the maintenance of Catholic School’s traditionally high standards.

The Catholic School curriculum meets all state regulations and guidelines. In addition, diocesan guidelines require a strong religious education curriculum.

Catholic School faculty members are fully qualified professionals committed to bringing out the best in their students as they grow in knowledge, skills, and values.

Association with agencies such as the Middle States Association and the National Catholic Education Association, as well as with Diocesan Education Offices, helps provide programs and instruments for internal and external evaluations on an ongoing basis.

Extra-Curricular Programs

Catholic Schools are committed to the development of the whole student. Extra-curricular activities are regarded as an important part of the total learning experience. A variety of choices is offered to reflect the uniqueness of each student, to generate a healthy sense of competition, to create a spirit of cooperation, and to foster both leadership and creativity.

The emphasis is on participation by all students.

Drama, forensics, and community service programs are integral parts of the educational process.

Appropriate social and cultural activities, under school sponsorship, provide relaxation and creative outlets.

Athletics may include football, soccer, track, basketball, cheer leading, bowling, and volleyball.

Smart Investment

A Catholic School education is worth the cost. It’s money wisely spent. Your child’s tuition is an investment which pays a lifelong dividend.

Catholic Schools represent affordable excellence; there is an emphasis on efficiency and accountability.

Tuition cost is often supplemented by the parish, so the Catholic community shares the cost of education.

In addition to a strong program in the “basics,” as well as challenging programs for gifted students, Catholic Schools add the significant “plus” of religious, moral, and spiritual development.

Standardized test scores and a college acceptance rate of over 80% reflect that our students are self-disciplined, self-motivated, responsible, and creative.

In Catholic Schools there is a mutual respect which exists among students, faculty, and administrators which generates an atmosphere of care and concern.” (https://catholicschoolsnj.org/about-us/why-catholic-school/)