Enrollment from 2020-2021
307 students in Pre-K through 8th grade

The average class size is 19 students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. In grades 1 through 8, we generally limit enrollment to 26 students per class.

We follow NAEYC's (National Association for the Education of Young Children) recommendations for PreK. A lead teacher and an assistant teacher are maintained in each PreK classroom at an overall ratio 10-to-1.

No, we welcome students of all faith backgrounds. As a Catholic school, however, we integrate our faith throughout the day, including daily religion classes. Religion is considered one of the core classes in our students’ curriculum. Students are expected to participate in faith-based activities as part of the overall educational experience.

Co-Educational Sports: Flag Football (4th-8th), Basketball (K-8th), Volleyball (5th-8th), and Track (3rd-8th).

After-School Programs: Gospel Choir, Yoga, Guitar and Piano, Science Club,
Cooking Club, Acrobatics, and Chess Club are just a few that have been offered recently. Programs may vary depending on the level of student interest.

Kindergarten through 8th-grade students attend an all-school Mass each week and are encouraged to attend Sunday Family Masses. Special Masses, such as Ash Wednesday, are also celebrated throughout the year. In addition, STA students can participate in many Catholic traditions. They may serve as lectors, altar servers, or gospel choir members at Mass.

School is in session from 7:45 am – 3:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
School is in session from 7:45 am – 2:30 pm on Wednesdays.

Yes, before-school care is available from 7:00 am to 7:45 am and after-school care from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. The cost is currently $3.00 per fifteen minutes of care per child. Any part of 15 minutes is considered a quarter-hour and will be charged accordingly.

Yes, PreK—Grade 8 students wear uniforms, which can be purchased at Martinelli’s in Evergreen Park or Schoolbellies in Bridgeview. Students can dress out of uniform on school spirit days and N.U.T. (No Uniform Today) days. Detailed information about STA’s dress code and uniforms is available on the school’s website and is provided to all registered families.

Students may bring lunch from home or purchase a hot lunch provided by the Food Service Professionals Program (FSP). Hot, nutritious, lunches are available each day for participating students. Monthly menus and order forms are distributed to families; lunches are paid for in advance and can now be ordered on-line. Depending on their income, families may apply for free or reduced lunch.

Please refer to the Tuition & Financial Assistance section of our website. Compared to other private schools in the area, we think you’ll find STA’s tuition is quite reasonable. We know you’ll find it a valuable investment in your child’s future.

Like all private schools, St. Thomas the Apostle utilizes fundraising to help us maintain reasonable tuition rates yet still plan for enhancements to our academic program, building repair and maintenance, and technology upgrades. Families are asked to participate in various fundraising activities of our advancement office: Reach for the STArs annual appeal in the fall and STArry Night, our spring gala.

Yes, parent participation is considered an integral part of the education process at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School. Families are asked to complete a service requirement each year to support school events and activities. The Home and School Association is the school's parent organization that helps to lead and plan many community building activities throughout the school year. Parents are also invited to participate in monthly Parent Coffee meetings with the principal.

Many of our students continue their education at Catholic high schools including Mount Carmel High School, St. Ignatius College Prep, Seton Academy, Mother McCauley Liberal Arts High School, Josephinum Academy, Brother Rice, Fenwick High School, Marist, St. Rita and De La Salle Institute. Others attend selective Chicago public and private high schools such as Walter Payton College Prep and the Chicago Academy for the Arts.

Families first visit the school. After visiting, they will submit a formal Application for Admission along with a recent report card, standardized test scores, birth, and if the child is Catholic, Baptismal certificate. After the application has been reviewed and accepted by the school administration we may request that you interview with the principal. Then we will notify families of acceptance via e-mail detailing the remaining steps including the payment of a registration fee.