St. Thomas More Preparatory

St. Thomas More Academy is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Magnolia, Delaware. It is run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.

Background

The background to the story of St. Thomas More Academy (STMA) dates back to 1952, when Holy Cross Parish opened Holy Cross Elementary School – it was the first Catholic School in Kent County, Delaware. In 1957, the parish opened Holy Cross High School (HCHS); both Holy Cross Elementary School and Holy Cross High School resided on the same campus on State Street in downtown Dover. HCHS prospered for many years, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. It was operated as a parish school by the Felician Sisters. In the 1980s, HCHS experienced some problems with enrollment and finance. In this same time frame, the Felician Sisters left the parish – their convent then became the parish rectory. In 1987, HCHS was closed, amidst much protest and clamor. The former HCHS building was renamed the Donohoe Center (after a previous, beloved pastor, Fr. John Donohoe) and became the Junior High School building of Holy Cross Elementary School (which it remains to this day).

After the dust settled following the contentious closing of HCHS in 1987, a dedicated group of lay men and women began almost immediately to formulate plans for a new Catholic high school in Kent County. Their effort saw to the establishment of "Thomas More Academy, Incorporated," and to the projection of a school program and budget. When, after some years, a gift of land provided the site for the school, the group commissioned a feasibility study, and embarked upon a fundraising campaign.

Fundraising efforts for the "private, independent" Catholic high school were rewarded with the generous response of individuals and foundations. More than $1.6 million was raised for the first of St. Thomas More Academy's buildings. It was not an easy task, and it required much faith, time and energy on the part of the projects dedicated men and women.

By the spring of 1997 it became clear to most that the enormous project of opening a high school of quality would require resources beyond those available to the "Thomas More Academy, Incorporated" founders. A delegation met with the Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington, Most. Rev. Michael Saltarelli, and presented a report on the "state of the school," in the hope that the Bishop might find a way to be of help. The response by Bishop Saltarelli was immediate, enthusiastic, and generous: The Diocese took on the school, making it one of its own – a Diocesan high school.

In 1998 the school opened its doors. In 2001, STM had its first graduating class. A major building project, with the great support and generosity of the Diocese saw the expansion of STMA in 2003; the Chapel, lobby, office suite, cafeteria, media center, and fine arts wing were added. In 2011, the school dedicated all of the various halls and wings of the school to Patron Saints of the many area parishes that are represented by students at the school. Additionally, the school gymnasium was dedicated as "The Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli Gymnasium." In the 2012-13 school year STMA celebrated its 15th anniversary.

And so, begun by the lay faithful and adopted by the Bishop of the Diocese, STMA provides a good example of collaboration between a Bishop and his flock. Acknowledging the work done by the followers of the Academy, Bishop Saltarelli has said: "I am grateful for the great gift they have made to the Church, making it possible for us to continue our holy mission to teach the Good News in such an important way."

The school opened in fall of 1998, and expanded its facilities in 2003. The name was changed from "Academy" to "Preparatory" in 2007. In fall 2011, the name was changed back to its founding name, "Saint Thomas More Academy". This fall the school celebrates its 15th anniversary of its opening.

Controversy

In 2005, the school requested two students to withdraw as well as suspending another after it was discovered that they had vandalized the school then posted pictures of the vandalism online. The school received a lot of criticism afterward and at the end the 2006 school year the school’s, principal Dr. John Grant, was requested to step down by the Diocese.

External links

• School Website

Notes and references

Diocese of Wilmington Bishops Thomas Albert Andrew Becker Alfred Allen Paul Curtis John James Joseph Monaghan Edmond John Fitzmaurice Michael William Hyle Thomas Mardaga Robert Edward Mulvee Michael Angelo Saltarelli William Francis Malooly Churches Cathedral Cathedral of St. Peter Parishes St. Joseph's Church, Greenville, DE St. John the Baptist Church, Newark, DE St. Joseph's Church, Middletown, DE St. Peter's Church, Queenstown, MD St. Francis Xavier Church, Warwick, MD Resurrection Church, Wilmington, DE St. Anthony's Church, Wilmington, DE St. Catherine of Siena Church, Wilmington, DE St. Hedwig's Church, Wilmington, DE St. Joseph's Church, Wilmington, DE St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilmington, DE St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Wilmington, DE Education High Schools Archmere Academy, Claymont, DE Padua Academy, Wilmington, DE Saints Peter and Paul High School, Easton, MD St. Elizabeth High School, Wilmington, DE St. Mark's High School, Wilmington, DE St. Thomas More Preparatory, Magnolia, DE Salesianum School, Wilmington, DE Ursuline Academy, Wilmington, DE Former College St. Mary's College Priests John Barres Benjamin Joseph Keiley Catholicism Portal