Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have Bussing?: Saint Thomas participates in the Grand Rapids Area Catholic School’s Transportation System. Transportation to both elementary and secondary schools is provided to qualifying families for one set “per family” fee. Further information and the current family fee is included in the registration packet
What time does school begin and what is your vacation schedule?: Studentss in grades 1-8 attend school from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm Kindergarten and Preschool students attend half-day sessions from 8:00 am until 11:00 am or 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm The school year begins in late August and ends during the first or second week of June. A complete school calendar is published for the coming school year prior to dismissal in June.
Do you have uniforms or a dress code?: Saint Thomas students wear uniforms consisting of navy blue slacks, pleated skirts or jumpers with a plain white collared shirt. All uniform pieces must meet our Uniform Code. On non-uniform days, which happens once a month, a dress code is enforced. For uniform specifications and non-uniform day requirements, please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook. For your convenience, detailed uniform code specifications will be included with registration materials.
How big is the school and what is your average class size?: Saint Thomas has 300+ students in 17 classes from 3-year-old Preschool through 8th grade. We maintain an excellent student/teacher ratio at St. Thomas that is further enhanced by the addition of student teachers and aides from Aquinas College, parent volunteers, and instructional aides where necessary. Our average class size is 18.
Do you provide a hot lunch program?: Yes. Hot lunch is provided daily and is served in the lower level of the church. Students may choose from a daily "A" lunch, a weekly "B" lunch alternative, or "C" lunch which is the food/salad bar. Milk is included with hot lunch or may be ordered separately. Monthly menus and order forms are sent home with the Pieces (School Newsletter).
How do parents get involved in your school?: Saint Thomas welcomes and encourages the involvement of parents, grandparents and other family members, in school endeavors. Over 200 volunteers participate in over 50 areas of school life annually through our Volunteers in Partnership (V.I.P.) Program. We are grateful for the gifts of time and talent our parents and families share with our school, teachers, and students.
How do Saint Thomas students score on standardized tests?: Saint Thomas students take standardized tests beginning in the second grade. In addition, students in grades 3, 5, and 7 take an ability test in conjunction with the achievement test. On average, St. Thomas School students perform better than approximately 80% of other Catholic, Christian, and public school students across the nation.
Where are you located?: Saint Thomas is located at 1429 Wilcox Park Drive adjacent to Aquinas College in Southeastern Grand Rapids, Michigan. We are a partner school to Catholic Central High School located in downtown Grand Rapids, just minutes away.

From the airport: Turn Right (W) onto 44th Street and go 1 mile. Turn R onto Patterson Ave., go 2 miles. Turn L onto 28th Street. Turn R onto East Paris which ends at Cascade Rd. Take a L onto Cascade and continue going west for about 2-1/2 miles. Take slight left onto Fulton Street (where Cascade ends) and go less than 1-1/2 miles to Carlton. Turn L onto Carlton and L again at next block, which is Wilcox Park Drive. Go past school and church to parking lot.

From I-96: Take Fuller Street exit. Turn R onto Fuller and go to Fulton Street. Turn L onto Fulton and go about 3 blocks to Carlton Street (next light). Turn R on Carlton, go one block, turn L onto Wilcox Park Drive. Go past the school and church parking lot.