Academic Extracurriculars

STM Catholic offers a variety of extra-curricular activities to enhance our students’ overall education experience. Though voluntary in participation and more relaxed in style, these activities often provide opportunities for new experiences, new responsibilities and new friendships that can profoundly change how students see themselves, their community, and their place in it. Below is a brief description of currently available activities.

Academic Decathlon

STM Catholic has earned FIRST place in Archdiocese Academic Decathlon in 2022.

It is a competition for students in grades 6-8.  The five goals of the Decathlon are:

• To promote academic excellence
• To promote collaborative spirit and cooperative learning skills
• To promote logical and higher order thinking
• To recognize the contributions of parents, teachers, school administrators, and business and community members in supporting high standards for all students
• To celebrate the diversity, excellence, and tradition of Catholic schools

There are ten events.  Two are collaborative team efforts–a logic quiz with 20 rigorous thinking problems and a super quiz with 50 multiple-choice questions on five broad academic themes.  The remaining eight events test individual knowledge of the Catholic doctrine, English, Literature, Science, Mathematics, Current Events, Social Studies, and Fine Arts (Art and Music).  Awards are given for individual and team performance.  

American Heritage

American Heritage Girls is a Christian focused scouting program for girls. We have over 70 girls in our troop at STM in grades K-11.

Chess Class

National Chess Master Todd Bardwick offers and eight-session fall and spring chess class for St. Thomas More Catholic School students.  The class has structured teachings and playing time with the option to compete in individual or team competitions outside of the school.

Junior Great Books

The Junior Great Books program at STM Catholic is specifically designed, both in content and technique, to challenge gifted students in grades 5–8. The criteria for participation in this activity includes reading at least two years above grade level and a teacher recommendation. It is an activity that provides a forum for the participants to exercise their critical thinking skills, work on their ability to articulate ideas, and practice listening to others. It encourages participants to challenge the ideas put forth by others and defend their own.

Robotics

Introduced in the 2015-16 school year.
LEGO Education enhanced technology literacy, helps develop critical thinking skills and develops engineering skills through a multi-discipline approach to learning.  This extra curricular program is offered for students grades 4-5.

Science Matters

Science Matters in America is an exciting after-school science and technology enrichment club hosted at St. Thomas More Catholic School.  This program provides our K-5 student with an atmosphere to expand their learning and love for science through experiments and hand-on discoveries.

Speech

STM Catholic is a member of the Archdiocesan Speech Association. The speech team is open to all 8^th grade students in the Fall trimester and 7^th grade students in the Winter and Spring trimesters. Students work on oral presentation skills in preparation for the two Archdiocesan speech meets offered for each grade level.

Student Council

The Student Council’s responsibilities include implementing and executing new and exciting student initiatives, as well and being the voice of the student body.

Spelling Bee

The STM Catholic Spelling Bee team is an activity for 4^th and 5^th grade students who enjoy the challenge of intellectual competition. Team members practice weekly and compete in the Archdiocesan Intermediate Spelling Bee.

Yearbook

Students create memory books for STM Catholic School by applying creativity, photography talents, organizational and time management skills, teamwork and fun to this after school activity.