St. Thomas More Schola
Nashville, TN
Our mission of Saint Thomas More Schola is to support Middle Tennessee homeschooling families in educating their children following the classical education model. With a focus on liberal arts we pursue the true, the good and the beautiful in a once-a-week model seeking to grow together in virtue and holiness in order to form devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
We meet on Thursdays at St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, just south of Nashville on I-65.
**Registration for the 2023 – 2024 academic year is open until July 31st**
Helpful Links
Statement of Faith
St. Thomas More Schola (STMS) joyfully acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life and is grounded in faithfulness to Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
Middle School Curriculum
At this time STMS middle school classes will not be offered for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Please check back in February 2024 for information regarding 7th and 8th grade class offerings for the 2024-2025 academic year.
STMS aims to provide high quality courses for middle (7th & 8th grade) students. All courses are standalone – you can register for as many or as few as you’d like. Each course description listed indicates the type and amount of credit that each course is ideally suited to meet. You can contact our Upper School director at stms.upperschool@gmail.com.
***All schedules are subject to change.***
Study Hall is available for $100 per student per period annually.
Middle School Courses 2023-24
HUMANITIES 7-8: American History
TO BE OFFERED 2024-2025
SUMMARY: A Middle School humanities course covering American History.
GRADES: 7-8
INSTRUCTOR:
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: Humanities will be a study of American History. The course will encompass literature, writing, activities, and geography, as students journey through the history of our country. There will be weekly reading and note-taking assignments, as well as longer literature and writing projects throughout the year.
COURSE DETAILS:
- Course Tuition: $400 per student
- Semesters: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees: TBD
MATH 7-8: Pre-Algebra
TO BE OFFERED 2024-2025
SUMMARY: Middle school math, using Saxon 8/7 with Pre-algebra.
GRADES: 7-8
INSTRUCTOR:
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: read here
COURSE DETAILS:
- Course Tuition: $400 per student
- Semesters: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees: TBD
MS SPANISH I
TO BE OFFERED 2024-2025
SUMMARY: An introductory Spanish course for middle school students.
GRADES: 7-8
INSTRUCTOR:
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: Spanish I is an introductory language course in which students will begin to practice meaningful communication in the Spanish language. Students will be asked to do a variety of tasks in Spanish using basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. We will also explore Catholic cultural celebrations and traditions in Spanish speaking countries around the world. This course will span two school years.
COURSE DETAILS:
- Course Tuition: $400 per student
- Semesters: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees: TBD
PUBLIC SPEAKING 7-8
TO BE OFFERED 2024-2025
SUMMARY: A public speaking course for middle school students.
GRADES: 7-8
INSTRUCTOR: Abigail Findlay
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: Students will deliver four speeches, self-introduction, narrative, descriptive, and persuasive. They will become assertive public speakers and master the art of effective speech delivery using techniques such as poise, eye contact, location, gestures, and smiling.
COURSE DETAILS:
- Course Tuition: $400 per student
- Semesters: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees: TBD
ART 7-8: Middle School Art
TO BE OFFERED 2024-2025
SUMMARY: An art course for Middle School students.
GRADES: 7-8
INSTRUCTOR: Libby Goldammer
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: The middle school art class will introduce students to the elements and principles of art and composition. Through hands on art projects, that will emphasize skill and technique in various mediums, an exciting connection to art history will be made. Students will also develop skills to analyze, discuss, and critique a work of art.
COURSE DETAILS:
- Course Tuition: $400 per student
- Semesters: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees: Supply Fee of $75.
MS LATIN: Second Form
TO BE OFFERED 2024-2025
SUMMARY: A course for intermediate-level Latin students.
GRADES: 7-8
INSTRUCTOR: Wendie Vongkasempseri
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: Second Form reviews all material in First Form, completes the verb paradigms for all four conjugations in the indicative active and passive, and much more! This will include Lingua Angelica.
COURSE DETAILS:
- Course Tuition: $400 per student
- Semesters: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees: TBD
Lower School Curriculum
The Lower School of St. Thomas More Schola is a homeschool cooperative open to students from Kindergarten to 6th Grade. We follow the classical model of instruction and are committed to providing our children with an education focused on what is true, good, and beautiful. We follow a cyclical approach for history and science. Our time together includes student presentations, memory work practice, science experiments, grammar, and classes in the humanities.
PLEASE NOTE: Since STMS is a cooperative organization, one parent of any student registered in the K through 6th grades is required to be present during the school day at St. Philip and assist the Lower School as a volunteer.
***All schedules are subject to change.***
Lower School Course of Instruction 2023-24
5-6 GRADES
- COURSES
- HUMANITIES: Humanities will be a study of American History. The course will encompass literature, writing, activities, and geography, as students journey through the history of our country. There will be weekly reading and note-taking assignments, as well as longer literature and writing projects throughout the year.
- SCIENCE: Explore physics with hands-on labs using the Good and Beautiful science courses: Motion and Simple Machines (first semester) and Chemistry (second semester).
- LATIN: Latina Christiana is the second class in the Memoria Press Latin sequence and it is typically for fourth and fifth graders at STMS, but is appropriate for anyone seeking a gentle introduction to Latin. It is a continuation of Prima Latina, and it is intended to be followed by First Form Latin. Our class covers one lesson per week, as outlined int he suggested syllabus from Memoria Press. Each weekly class involves a brief lesson on a grammatical concept; introduction of the vocabulary, prayer and practical Latin phrase for the week; and vocabulary games and review. Weekly homework assignments involve the completion of several workbook pages and the memorization of vocabulary.
- SPANISH: Students will get an introduction to the Spanish language through flexible & fun classes. Activities will include beginning conversation practice, songs, music/movement lessons, storytelling, and cultural activities.
- LITURGICAL LIVING: Celebrating the Church seasons with community prayers, Saints and Virtues.
- OPTIONAL COURSES (see below)
- GRADES: 5-6
- DAY: Thursday
- TUITION: $250.
- OTHER COSTS & FEES: $75 supply fee.
3-4 GRADES
- COURSES
- HUMANITIES: Through significant historical biographies, 3/4 Humanities will cover the American History. There will be weekly geography homework and optional enrichment reading.
- SCIENCE: Explore physics with hands-on labs using the Good and Beautiful science courses: Motion and Simple Machines (first semester) and Chemistry (second semester).
- LITURGICAL LIVING: Celebrating the Church seasons with community prayers, Saints and Virtues.
- LATIN: Prima Latina is the first class in the Memoria Press Latin sequence, and it is typically for third and fourth graders at STMS. It consists of learning five new vocabulary words per week in addition to a latin phrase and latin prayers. This is a gentle introduction to Latin and is a good foundation for continuing on to Latina Christiana. Our class covers one lesson per week, as outlined in the suggested syllabus from Memoria Press. Each weekly class involves a brief lesson on a grammatical concept; introduction of the vocabulary, prayer and practical Latin phrase for the week; and vocabulary games and review. Weekly homework assignments involve the completion of several workbook pages and the memorization of vocabulary.
- SPANISH: Students will get an introduction to the Spanish language through flexible & fun classes. Activities will include beginning conversation practice, songs, music/movement lessons, storytelling, and cultural activities.
- OPTIONAL COURSES (see below)
- GRADES: 3-4
- DAY: Thursday
- TUITION: Included with Family Registration Fee.
- OTHER COSTS & FEES: TBD
K-2 GRADES
- COURSES: Humanities enrichment studies, Religion and PE. Art is an optional course (see below).
- GRADES: K-2.
- DAY: Thursday
- TUITION: Included in Registration Fee.
ART: Art with the Masters (optional)
SUMMARY: An art course for elementary school students.
GRADES: K-6
INSTRUCTOR: Libby Goldammer
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: This class will combine art instruction along with the study of the historical and cultural perspective in which art is created.
COURSE DETAILS:
- Course Tuition: $275 for 3-6, $225 for K-2
- Semester: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees:
- K-2: $50
- 3-6: $75
WRITING: Intro to IEW (optional)
SUMMARY: IEW Methods for Beginners
GRADES: 3-6
INSTRUCTOR: Abigail Findlay
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: IEW’s unique approach provides the structure that students need to develop confidence in the writing process, while gradually guiding them toward greater independence and creativity. This step-by-step course will introduce seven IEW units: key word outlines, note-taking, narratives (stories) , summarizing a reference, summarizing two more references (reports), writing from pictures and inventive (creative) writing. An optional reading list included in this course.
- Course Requirements: Students must be proficient in handwriting and reading at a 3rd grade level.
- Course Tuition: $170 per student
- Semester: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees: TBD
WRITING: Intermediate / Advanced IEW (optional)
SUMMARY: IEW Methods for Intermediate and Advanced Students
GRADES: 3-6
INSTRUCTOR: Abigail Findlay
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: Join us on an adventure with the final four novels of The Chronicles of Narnia® (Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle). Students will learn advanced writing skills while exploring the enchanted land of Narnia through the Structure and Style® writing method. This course is recommended for students with at least one year of experience with IEW. As always, each student will be rewarded with tickets for improved and exemplary performance. These tickets will be used for credits in our infamous biannual auction.
COURSE DETAILS:
- Course Requirements: At least one year of IEW.
- Course Tuition: $260 per student
- Semester: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees: TBD
LATIN: First Form (optional)
SUMMARY: An introduction to Latin for elementary aged students.
GRADES: 5-6
INSTRUCTOR: Wendie Vongkasempseri
DAY: Thursday
DESCRIPTION: First Form Latin teaches Latin grammar systematically in order to facilitate retention and understanding. It utilizes extensive workbook exercises to ensure skills mastery and rapid recognition of inflected forms. This class is ideal either as an introductory class for older students, or as a continuation of the lessons learned in Latina Christiana. After finishing First Form, the student will have mastered:
- The six indicative active tenses of the first two verb conjugations
- Five noun declensions
- First and second declension adjectives
- 185 vocabulary words
COURSE DETAILS:
- Course Tuition: $250 per student
- Semester: 2
- Other Course Costs & Fees: TBD
Registration
Once classes are full, families will be placed on a waiting list.
Registration for K-6 is open through July 31st 2023.
To be fully registered, families need to:
- Select your courses by filling out the online Registration forms.
- Print out and sign the Waiver of Liability.
- Pay the Registration Fee (see below). Checks should be made out to St. Thomas More Schola. This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE and is required to hold your spot.
- Mail the signed Waiver of Liability and Registration Fee check to: PO Box 681175 Franklin, TN 37068
Tuition, Fees, and other Costs
Family Registration Fee
The below registration fees apply per family regardless of grade level:
- $150 for 1 student
- $225 for 2 or more students
- This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.
Tuition
- For grades K – 4, the Family Registration Fee covers the cost of tuition for the main course of instruction.
- For grades 5 & 6, basic tuition is $250 for the main course of instruction.
- For grades K – 6, optional course tuition is specified per individual course.
- For grades 7 & 8, all tuition is specified per individual course.
Other Costs
Though we do our best to provide advanced notice, there are likely to be additional costs associated with course supplies, materials, and texts. Families are responsible for paying any additional course supply fees and/or purchasing required course materials and texts. If not mentioned here, this information will be provided by the instructor along with other course information.
Refund Policy
- Courses dropped between August 1st and the start of classes will be subject to a Course Drop Fee of $50.
- Courses dropped during the 1st semester will be refunded for the 2nd semester only (50% of tuition for a 2 semester course).
- Courses dropped after the conclusion of the 1st semester will not be eligible for a refund.
Calendar & Schedule
***All schedules are subject to change.***
We meet weekly on Thursdays during the school year.
1st Semester
Aug 17 – Dec 14
2nd Semester
Jan 11 – May 16
Dates Off
Oct 12 – Fall Break
Nov 23 – Thanksgiving Break
Dec 21, 28, & Jan 4 – Christmas Break
Feb 22 – Winter Break
Mar 14, 21 – Spring Break
Mar 28 – Holy Week
Class Schedules
Location
St. Philip Catholic Church (Franklin)
113 2nd Ave S. • Franklin, TN 37064
Dress Code
- All students attending classes at STMS are required to wear long pants, capris, skirts, uniform style shorts, or skorts in the colors of navy blue, black, or any shade of khaki.
- Skirts, skorts or polo dresses must be knee length or just above.
- Shirts may be short or long sleeved and must have a collar (polo or dress-style with buttons.)
- All footwear should be closed-toe – no sandals, flip-flops, or the like.
- No hats.
Instructors
Abigail Findlay
Courses: Writing (IEW), Public Speaking, and Humanities.
Abigail Findlay is quite blessed to serve the St. Thomas More Schola as the Composition teacher. Obtaining her college degree from Patriot University, she moved to Franklin, TN in 2001 to pursue her career in classical education. She has completed various intensive training courses at New St. Andrews College (Moscow, ID), Veritas Academy (Lancaster, PA), and has attended several supplemental workshops at Franklin Classical Schools (Franklin, TN) and with the Association of Classical Christian Schools. Inspired to improve her classroom management skills, she sought professional training at Flowing Wells Teacher Development Center (Tucson, AZ), one of the top teacher training centers in the country. Over her eighteen years of teaching experience, she has taught several grades ranging from Kindergarten to Ninth, worked as a Director of Curriculum Development, served as an elementary school principal and has led many teacher training workshops of her own. Currently, she works as a stay-at-home mom and private tutor. She and her husband, Doug, reside in Franklin with their two beautiful daughters.
Libby Goldammer
Courses: Art
Abigail Findlay is quite blessed to serve the St. Thomas More Schola as the Composition teacher. Obtaining her college degree from Patriot University, she moved to Franklin, TN in 2001 to pursue her career in classical education. She has completed various intensive training courses at New St. Andrews College (Moscow, ID), Veritas Academy (Lancaster, PA), and has attended several supplemental workshops at Franklin Classical Schools (Franklin, TN) and with the Association of Classical Christian Schools. Inspired to improve her classroom management skills, she sought professional training at Flowing Wells Teacher Development Center (Tucson, AZ), one of the top teacher training centers in the country. Over her eighteen years of teaching experience, she has taught several grades ranging from Kindergarten to Ninth, worked as a Director of Curriculum Development, served as an elementary school principal and has led many teacher training workshops of her own. Currently, she works as a stay-at-home mom and private tutor. She and her husband, Doug, reside in Franklin with their two beautiful daughters.
Wendie Vongkasempseri
Courses: Latin bio coming soon...