Academics
“To contemplate and to share with others the fruits of contemplation.” — St. Thomas Aquinas
Aquinas Classical Academy seeks wisdom under the light of faith, embracing the relationship between faith and reason put forth by Pope St. John Paul II: “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth…”.
The curriculum at Aquinas Classical Academy reflects the consistency between faith and reason. Graduates possess both knowledge of the Faith and the natural tools of learning to contemplate and to share with others the fruits of contemplation.
Reading primary sources, we combine lecture style with Socratic Method roundtable discussion. The teacher-posed question and subsequent discussion foster engaged students and knowledge retention.
Trivium (Three ways) of studying language:
Grammar – art of inventing and combining symbols
Logic or Dialectic – art of right reasoning
Rhetoric – art of persuasive communication
Quadrivium (Four ways) of studying math and science:
Arithmetic – theory of discrete quantity (i.e., number)
Geometry – theory of continuous quantity (i.e., space)
Music – application of the theory of number (to physical sounds)
Astronomy – application of theory of space (to physical, celestial objects)
“We want to engender an eternal outlook—that their relationship with God comes first, and everything flows from that.”
Stephen Holland, Headmaster
What Sets Our Academics Apart
01
An Integrated Curriculum
Theology, humanities, math, science, Latin, music, drama, and fine arts taught as one whole—because anything worth knowing points to the One who is perfect Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
02
Sacramental Life on Campus
Daily Mass and frequent confession · Eucharistic adoration and school Masses · Personal prayer and daily contact with priests.
03
The Socratic Classroom
Small classes of 12–15, taught by seminar. Students learn to source and defend what they believe, and to stay open to the truth. Everyone participates; everyone is known.
04
A Screen-Free Day
Phones, watches, and tablets go in a basket at the front desk. At lunch: swing dancing, a thrown football, real conversation—kids who can look an adult in the eye and talk.
05
Adventure Quest
Students encounter God’s creation through outdoor exploration and hands-on learning—meeting reality with their senses, intellect, and imagination.
100
percent of our teachers have taken an oath of fidelity to the Magisterium
Faith isn’t siloed to a religion class—in every subject, your child is formed by a teacher who believes what the Church believes.
“It’s the first time in my career I’ve ever been able to say: all of our teachers are teachers of the faith.”
Stephen Holland, Headmaster
Summer Reading
Each grade has an assigned summer reading list to prepare for the year ahead.
Philosophy of Education
Our approach to education is rooted in developing virtue and holiness in the light of the Catholic Faith.
Community Service & Team Sports
Community Service
Students engage in community service that includes helping out at local food banks, visiting the sick and elderly at local assisted living and memory care homes, supporting the Knights of Columbus medical equipment loan program, and caring for the school garden plot (tilling, planting, fertilizing, and watering).
Team Sports
All students have the ability to participate in local area public high school sports, including football, baseball, soccer, tennis, and more—approximately 30 percent of Aquinas students take advantage of this opportunity.
Life After Aquinas
Our graduates go on to pursue higher education, religious vocations, and lives of service—carrying the habits of faith, reason, and virtue they formed at Aquinas into whatever comes next.
100
percent acceptance rate to colleges
32
alumni in three graduating classes
3
discerning the priesthood
Class of 2026 Acceptances
- Thomas Aquinas College
- University of New Mexico (NROTC Scholarship)
- Wyoming Catholic College
- University of Mary
- West Sound Technical Skills Center
- Olympic College
- Central Washington University
- George Fox University
- Newman University
Class of 2025 Acceptances
- The Archdiocese of Seattle Seminary
- Benedictine College
- Franciscan University
- University of Mary
- Olympic College
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Thomas Aquinas College
- University of St. Thomas
- Tulane University (NROTC Marine Corps Scholarship)
Class of 2024 Acceptances
- The Archdiocese of Seattle Seminary
- Bates Technical College
- Benedictine College
- University of Dallas
- University of Mary
- John Paul the Great Catholic University
- Washington State University
- Louisiana State University
- Penn State
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- University of Portland