History
Founded in 2000, St. Thomas More Academy was established as a community of students, parents and educators working together to achieve excellence in education inspired by Catholic traditions and spirituality. Our mandate is to grow the hearts, minds and souls of students so that they develop fully their capabilities and talents as children of God and recognize their own unique self-worth and potential to contribute positively to the world around them.
On March 23, 2000, the school was incorporated as St. Thomas More Academy in honor of St. Thomas More who was a scholar, a father, a layman and a saint. His exemplary behavior serves as a model for our children to emulate. St. Thomas More Academy seeks to model the Christian value system it proclaims. Our parents, teachers and staff are the first to model the behaviors and expectations we teach. They are to be fair, reasonable, balanced and consistent in defining and administering the disciplinary measures of the school. They are, in the words of the U.S. Bishops, “To Teach as Jesus Did.” Students, too, are expected to accept similar responsibility. They are to publicly demonstrate conduct that reflects the values commonly nurtured in a Christian community.
On September 8, 2000, St. Thomas More Academy held its first official Board meeting to approve by-Laws. At the meeting, it was decided that St. Thomas More Academy will operate as an independent elementary school and incorporate the authenticity and integrity of the Catholic Faith into a balanced program. It would take into account the needs of the new millennium while drawing upon the riches and inspiration of 2000 years of living according to Catholic truths.
The Academy started out with only four students in its first location which was rented space at the Peace in Christ Lutheran Church, Walkersville, MD. The next school year, 2001-2002, enrollment expanded to 35 students in grades K through 3. In the third year of operation, the student body grew to 65 students in grades K through 6, which forced STMA to add three more classrooms to the facility. This facility quickly became too small to house the growing student body.
The Board of Directors acquired land and built a new school building in Buckeystown, MD in 2009. In 2012 this facility was sold to St. John’s Catholic Prep High School and STMA relocated to its current Middletown location on Prospect Street.
St. Thomas More Academy is certified by the state of Maryland and is accredited by the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools.