St. Thomas Aquinas Regional High School adds eighth-grade student level

Encouraged by support from parents and families, St. Thomas Aquinas Diocesan Regional High School in Hammond has made the decision to enroll eighth graders for the 2024-25 school year.  

The decision has been in the making for the past 10 years, school officials said.  

The school recently announced the addition of the new grade level and said a meeting for seventh-grade parents who would like additional information is scheduled Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at St. Thomas.
 
“As models in schools change and evolve over time, it is important that St. Thomas evaluates the trends to determine what it is best for our students and Catholic school community as a whole,” STA principal Will Johnson said via email. “Making a transition at this time to include an eighth-grade is a natural progression and simply makes sense for our school’s continued academic success.” 

Johnson emphasized that Holy Ghost School in Hammond, Mater Dolorosa School in Independence and St. Joseph School in Ponchatoula will also continue to serve eighth-grade students.

“I’m not sure how it will affect us,” said Holy Ghost pastor Father Charles Johnson, OP. “We are aware obviously there will be an impact, but this is a new venture that will also allow St. Thomas to look at new ways to grow and add new possibilities. 

“There might be some impact, but we think our program will flourish as will St. Thomas.’”

Will Johnson said pastors and principals at Mater Dolorosa, Holy Ghost and St. Joseph, the three Catholic elementary schools in Tangipahoa civic parish, were consulted before the decision was made. He said stakeholders were also offered opportunities to express their opinions and concerns. 
 
A survey was conduct last year and the information gathered was analyzed and played a major role in the decision making regarding the addition of an eighth grade at STA, Will Johnson said. He said that for several years parents have been advocating for the option to be added at St. Thomas. 

“With such groundswell of support, now was the time to explore the feasibility and sustainability of an eighth grade as a part of St. Thomas Aquinas,” he said. 

“Last year the Diocese of Baton Rouge and its Catholic Schools Office conducted a formal study to determine the feasibility of establishing a junior high program at St. Thomas Aquinas Diocesan Regional School,” the diocese said in a statement dated Jan 26. “The results indicated support for the proposal from a variety of stakeholders, so Bishop Duca gave permission to school administrators to develop and offer an eighth-grade program beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year. There is not now – nor has there ever been – a diocesan desire to eliminate eighth-grade programs from other local Catholic parochial schools nor impede their growth.  

“As models in schools change and evolve over time, it is important that St. Thomas evaluates the trends to determine what it is best for our students and Catholic school community as a whole."
Will Johnson, Principal, St. Thomas Aquinas Diocesan Regional High School

“Rather, the new plan expands opportunities for parents desiring Catholic education and formation for their children while allowing St. Thomas Aquinas to respond to the desires of its constituents and build on its foundation as a diocesan regional school.” 

Will Johnson said the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Bishop Duca only have the authority to change a school’s configuration. He said the decision to add the eighth grade was not made at the school level but made with the ultimate recommendation coming directly from Bishop Duca. 

“I was consulted,” Father Johnson confirmed. “(Bishop Duca) reviewed it and gave it a lot of thought and gave (STA) the permission to pursue (creation) of an eighth-grade program.” 

“For us, we work very closely with St. Thomas, always have and always will,” he added. “There are a lot of unknowns but our relationship with STA will always be strong.” 

Will Johnson said a number has yet to be determined regarding the number of eighth-grade students who will be admitted, saying enrollment will be evaluated during the next few weeks. But he did say the school is anticipating the interest will be high. 

Increasing the staff created by the added enrollment is a possibility but Will Johnson said realignment of the current faculty to place educators in classes where they will have the greatest impact is also being discussed.  

He also said the new class will be a natural fit for the continuing faith formation provided by the school’s Catholic feeder schools and families.  

“As our students mature, so should their faith formation and personal relationship with God,” he said. “We are excited to allow our older students to act as role models and examples to our eighth graders.  

“Furthermore, we are keenly aware of the importance of modeling Christ’s values in our community so additional students will only enhance our ability to affect positive change in our school and community.” 

STA opened in 1986 and was staffed by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois and lay men and women. The Dominicans no longer staff the school.