STM: Curriculum & Programs

The curriculum at St. Thomas More Catholic School offers traditional subjects, such as, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Because we are a Catholic school our students also have Religion classes and are prepared for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Communion.

In additional to these curriculum basics, we offer curricula in Art, Music, Physical Education, Computer, Spanish, Band, and Life Skills. Once a year during the school year, different artists of all types are brought in to work with the different age levels. Each year different and varied artists are offered to expose our children to all of the Arts This program and paid for by the PTO.

A special feature of our middle school is in the Encore program. This program offers an opportunity for students to select from elective courses including Band, Art, Chorus, Health and Computer for 2 class periods 4 days a week. Over 50 course selections are offered. In addition special learning opportunities are offered to prepare students for oratorical contests, geography and spelling bees, and dramatic and musical performances.

Other services include the Media Center, which supports all curricula with comprehensive programs to assist teaching and learning at St. Thomas More. The Student Support Team program serves students in small groups or in one-to-one settings to remediate or enhance skills.

Another huge component that enhances the overall curriculum at St. Thomas More is our parent support. STM parents work their way into various subject areas by sharing their careers, speaking to classes about their area of expertise, coordinating and presenting the Mad Scientist program, helping with science Olympiad, appearing as Mystery Readers in classrooms, presenting a Cultural Arts Day, and providing additional cultural experiences such as Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, St. Joseph’s Table, Mardis Gras, etc.

St. Thomas More School is located in downtown Decatur. We take advantage of various city functions that enhance our curriculum such as Concerts on the Square, Art Festivals, and The Heritage Festival. In the larger Atlanta area, students visit the Center for Puppetry Arts, the Wren’s Nest, Harp’s Farm, the Alliance Theater, the Atlanta Zoo, the Atlanta History Center, The Carlos Museum, the Greek Festival, Fernbank Museum and Science Center, the Atlanta Symphony, and the High Museum.

First to qualify are students with academic evaluation recommendations that require an extra set of books at home. Second to qualify are students who walk/bike to school on a daily basis.

During the 2005-2006 school year, we have new Science and Math books. These books are not available for rental. If there are other books that are needed, please let us know and we will check to see if there are extras available for you to rent.

Used textbooks can be purchased on-line at a couple of places. You should have the ISBN number from the book to ensure you are getting the correct edition.

Half.com http://www.half.com Half.com offers used books at various conditions and prices. The books are mailed out by individuals selling the book. Once you are finished with the book you could list it with Half.com and sell it.

Barnes and Noble http://www.bn.com Barnes and Noble also offers textbooks online. Most of the books are new and are shipped through Barnes and Noble. If you have a discount card you will receive 10% off. the regular prices.

Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com Amazon offers new and used textbooks although their selection is not as good as Half.com or Barnes and Noble. Marketplace sellers can be used or buying directly from Amazon. Textbooks could be resold through the Marketplace.

Campus Books http://www.campusbooks.com The self proclaimed "source for cheap textbooks!"

Curricula
NOTE: Acessing these curricula requires the use of the user name and password found on the inside front cover of you handbook/student directory