About
Catholic Classical Education for PK3 - 8 (fall 2025 through 7)
St. Thomas Aquinas Academy is a new independent Catholic school in South Tampa, Florida. Aquinas joins hundreds of Catholic schools across the nation as part of the growing renaissance of Catholic classical education.
Our Mission
St. Thomas Aquinas Academy is a community of joyful disciples cultivating saints to serve Christ and His Church by forming young people in faith, wisdom, and virtue through the Catholic liberal arts tradition.
Located on the campus of St. Patrick’s Church on South Manhattan Ave in Tampa, Florida, STA provides families with a faithfully Catholic education in the classical tradition. Providing classical education for preschool through middle school students, Aquinas is a community where students grow in faith and receive the richness and beauty of the Catholic intellectual, spiritual, and artistic tradition. Questions? Complete our inquiry form and we will contact you with more information.
Our Vision
Our vision is for Aquinas to offer a holistic school environment—nurturing the growth of students in knowledge, faith, and character.
Timeless Wisdom
At STA, students encounter the great works of literature, music, art, and philosophy.
Sacrament-Focused Faith Formation
At Aquinas, daily Mass is the heart of a rich sacramental life, including weekly Adoration and regular opportunities for confession.
Strong Community
Aquinas fosters a tight-knit community where students, teachers, and families collaborate in the pursuit of knowledge, faith, and virtue.
Teaching Anchored in Truth
STA forms students to love what is good, true, and beautiful, pointing to the source of all goodness and the true Teacher, Jesus Christ.
Formation of Virtue & Character
Aquinas teaches students to love what is good, practice virtues in community, and use virtue as a lens for evaluating actions and decisions.
Preparation for Lifelong Learning
At STA, rich primary texts challenge students to read carefully and think deeply– skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
“Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”
— St. Teresa of Calcutta
Why Choose Aquinas?
Quality Classical Education
Nurture your child’s heart and mind with beautiful stories, music, and art.
Virtue-Centered Community
Holistic Faith Integration
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
— Philippians 4:8
Why Classical Education?
To give students principles to guide them for a lifetime, many Catholic schools are reclaiming the Church’s own tradition of education.
Beautiful Art
At Aquinas, students explore masterpieces and develop an eye for excellence.
Great Literature
Timeless literary works deepen student’s empathy and cultivate a love for the power of words.
Classical Music
Students study the greatest composers, inspiring excellence and fostering a lifelong appreciation of sound.
Sacramental Worldview
Helping students see the world—and their own lives—as imbued with divine meaning and purpose.
Schedule a Call to Meet Our School Leadership
St. Thomas Aquinas Academy has been formed by qualified academic professionals with deep-rooted Catholic faith. If you are considering how a Catholic classical education model could benefit your student, reach out to us today. Please complete our inquiry form and we will contact you with more information.
