Our Curriculum

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At St Thomas Aquinas Classical Academy, we pride ourselves on our content-rich curriculum that allows families to continue to learn and study together at home, where parents can impart their God-given wisdom and virtue as their children's primary educators.  

Our classical curriculum is developed on a four year historical rotation, in alternating years, beginning with Ancient History and proceeding through the Medieval Ages, the High Middle Ages, and finally, the Post-Modern and American/World History Ages.  During the four year rotations, all students in K-8 study the same time period in history; and science, art, and literature follow this rotation.  Through the integratation of these subjects, our students enjoy an interactive and living experience of history.

  By the time a student will have completed his twelve years at the Academy, he/she will have studied the four historical periods three different times, imparting to each student a deeper and more mature understanding of the human person, his interaction with the Divine, and how our individual choices affect not only our own salvation, 

but, as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, all of humanity.

Centering our curriculum on historical studies allows for a dynamic conversation at the family dinner table, where families are fortified in grace and children are enriched in their development 

as human persons deeply loved by Our Redeemer.

St. Thomas Aquinas Music Program is based upon the Ward Method, developed for Catholic schools in 1910 by Justine Ward.

"The Ward Method of Music Instruction is a progressive method of teaching elementary school children - through vocal instruction - music theory, composition, and conducting.  It is unique in that it has a basis in Gregorian Chant." Amy Zuberbueler, Music Sacra Church Music Association of America

The Method was first developed by Justine Ward, a convert to Catholicism, under the request of Fr. Thomas Shields, chair of the Department of Education at the Catholic University of America.  

To assist Pope Pius X in the reform of sacred music which he had intitiated upon his election to the Chair of Peter, Ward combined the philosophy and pedagogy of Fr. Shields and the music methods of Fr. John B. Young, S.J., music director St. Francis Xavier Church in New York City, who was not only instrumental in Ward's conversion to the Faith, but was also supportive of the reforms initiated by Pope Pius X.  

The first editions of the Ward Method were published in 1913; but after Ward met in 1920 with Dom Andre Mocquereau, the founder of Solesmes Method of the rhythmic interpretation of Gregorian Chant, and she began studying under him, she revised the rythmic portion of her method and established it as it is today.

Why this method of teaching music?

Fr. Shields believed, both as a psychologist and a priest, that a child's emotions (his heart) are the most influential in the formation of one's character and the proper understanding and joyful union with the Divine.  Thus, he posited that the child's emotions must be devloped early in his life "to lead to the formation of a worthy character."

"The real foundations of character," Fr. Shields stated, "are not to be found in the intellect, and it is through music and art that the imagination and the emotions may be reached and effectively developed."

The Catholic Church has, throughout its history, promoted the arts.  "Knowing man to be a composite of both body and spirit, the Church understands man's need for sensible, tangible things to relate the body and spirit.  Through the Ward Method, children are exposed to truth and beauty through music so they will respond to emotional stimulus of a higher order."  Amy Zuberbueler

To read more about the Ward Program, please visit https://musicsacra.com/music-pedagogy-for-children/ward-method-instruction/

Or watch this fantastic video further explaining the philosophy, pedagogy and teaching of Ward Method:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lf5Ta4MpH8