Academics
The academic program at Saint Thomas Choir School is designed to keep pace with other independent schools in the New York area while also being tailored to the particular needs of choristers. Small classes, usually 5-6 students, are just large enough to allow for small group and partner work while also allowing ample personal attention from the instructor for each boy. By the time they finish eighth grade, our graduates are more than prepared to matriculate at a variety of day and boarding high schools around the country.
Curriculum
The Choir School experience generally begins in the third or fourth grade. The curriculum for these new arrivals helps them make a smooth transition into our residential community. The academic focus in the third and fourth grade classroom is on comprehension through active listening and reading, collaboration in the shared pursuit of knowledge, and the communication of that knowledge through clear and well-constructed verbal presentations and written compositions.
The third and fourth grade comprise a combined class that operates on the elementary model; students stay in their homeroom for English, Social Studies, Science, and for the third graders, math. Fourth graders go to a separate class for math, while both third and fourth grades have separate classes in French, theology, physical education, and musical studies.
Boys in the fifth through eighth grade are given more independence and responsibility, traveling to a different class and teacher for each subject. Fifth grade students have a study skills class to help them make this transition and develop strategies for managing their different assignments and courses. All students in grades five through eight take English, history, math, science, French, theology, physical education, and musical studies; Latin is introduced in grade six, and high school application preparation class begins in grade seven.
Academic Support
The Choir School’s individualized academic support offers each student multiple pathways to develop academic confidence in pursuit of fulfilling their potential.
Due to the small class sizes at Saint Thomas, teachers differentiate classroom strategies and curricula for each year’s set of students. The faculty closely monitors students’ progress and works collaboratively on solutions to help each student succeed through formal weekly staff meetings and informal daily check-ins. Full time teachers devote considerable time outside of class to working with students individually. Study hall is supervised by the academic teaching staff, and is another time for students to ask questions and pursue deeper understandings.
Additionally, in order to help a student keep up academically or to address learning challenges, outside tutors can be scheduled during the study hall periods throughout the week in consultation with the parents.
Advisory Program
The advisor program at Saint Thomas provides a special, extra-curricular link between students and faculty members. Each class is assigned to a team of faculty advisors who offer guidance and insight over the course of the year, building their advisees’ trust through communication and shared experiences.
Advisor groups meet weekly to discuss the days ahead and to improve skills such as study strategies and assignment planning, as well as social-emotional themes such as stress management and conflict resolution. The groups also plan their own parties during Christmas season and at the end of the school year. Advisors also serve as the primary contacts for parents regarding how their sons are doing academically and socially. Advisors send out reports each fall updating the parents about their sons’ progress, and are always available to speak with parents about any concerns they may have.
