Saint Thomas Academy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Saint Thomas Academy
Address
949 Mendota Heights Road
Mendota Heights, Minnesota, (Dakota County) 55120
United States
Coordinates 44°52′5″N 93°8′14″W / 44.86806°N 93.13722°W / 44.86806; -93.13722Coordinates: 44°52′5″N 93°8′14″W / 44.86806°N 93.13722°W / 44.86806; -93.13722
Information
Type Private, Military
Motto Ex Umbris In Veritatem
(Out of Darkness into Truth)
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Patron saint(s) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Established September 8, 1885
Founder Archbishop John Ireland
Sister school Convent of the Visitation
Oversight Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Headmaster Matthew Mohs
Chaplain Fr. Nels Gjengdahl
Faculty 60
Grades 612
Gender Boys
Enrollment 618 (2016)
Campus size 88 acres (360,000 m2)
Color(s) Royal Blue and White         
Fight song "Kaydet Rouser"
Athletics conference MSHSL Metro East
(formerly Classic Suburban)
Sports 15 sports
Mascot Cadet
Team name Cadets
Rival Cretin-Derham Hall
Henry Sibley High
Hermantown High School
Accreditation North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,[1]
Independent Schools Association of the Central States
Newspaper Citation
Yearbook Kaydet
Tuition $21,100 (grades 7-12) $17,500 (grade 6)
Director of Academic Life Michelle Mechtel
Dean of Students Erick Rome
Commandant of Cadets LTC Michael DePuglio (U.S. Army, ret.)
Admissions Director John Kenney
Athletics & Activities Director Robert Slater
Website

Saint Thomas Academy (abbr. STA), originally known as St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, and formerly known as St. Thomas Military Academy is the only all male, Roman Catholic, college-preparatory, military high school in Minnesota. It is located in Mendota Heights near Saint Paul. The Academy has a middle school (grades 6-8) and a high school (grades 9-12). The high school students are required to participate in military leadership classes and was previously part of Army JROTC. Its sister school, Convent of the Visitation, is located down the street and many classes and after school activities involve both schools. It is located within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Traditions[edit]

  • Every morning, all students assemble in the court, in the brigade formation, to pray, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, hear 1-2 Senior Speeches, read announcements, present awards, etc.
  • Each year, on the Wednesday preceding Thanksgiving, one senior is awarded the rank of Cadet Colonel, the brigade commander, and is presented with the Fleming Saber, in honor of Richard E. Fleming, and attains the utmost respect from the general student body.

Sports and activities[edit]

Saint Thomas Academy was a member of the Classic Suburban Conference (now Metro East). They participate in all 14 Minnesota State High School League sports as well as Orienteering. Saint Thomas Academy also has various co-curricular activities such as Band, Chess Team, Debate Team, VISTA Theater Company, Math Team, Quiz Bowl (2004, 2007, and 2012 Quiz Bowl National Champions), Knowledge Bowl, Table Tennis Club, Experimental Vehicle Team (2005 Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge Champions and 2006 Solar Bike Race Champions), Mock Trial, The Rifle Team and The Crack Drill Squad. More than 90% of students participate in co-curricular athletics or activities.[2]

State Championships
Season Sport Number of Championships Year
Fall Football 3 1969, 1971, 1975
Fall Soccer 1 2016
Winter Alpine Skiing, Boys 7 1993, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011
Winter Hockey, Boys 8 1926, 1951, 1955, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013
Winter Swimming and Diving, Boys 26 1951, 1952, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Winter Basketball, Boys 11 1923, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1960, 1967, 1970, 1998, 2007
Winter Rifle Team, Boys 5 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Spring Baseball, Boys 3 1952, 1960, 1969
Spring Golf, Boys 5 1957, 1958, 1959, 1969, 2014
Spring Tennis, Boys 4 1922, 1961, 1963, 1972
Spring Track and Field, Boys 2 1958, 1972

Notable alumni[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ NCA-CASI. "NCA-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  2. ^ Student Participation in Activities
  3. ^ a b "Biographies of the Justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court". Minnesota State Library. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  4. ^ Marquette Player Page

External links[edit]

Preceded by
Horace Greeley High School
National Academic Quiz Tournaments
National Academic Championship

2004 Champion
Succeeded by
Holland Hall (Tulsa, Oklahoma)