Welcome to STA!
Welcome to Dover, New Hampshire! Home to St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Dover is a historic New England city located along New Hampshire’s Seacoast. Just one hour from Boston and close to the Atlantic Ocean, Dover offers students a safe, welcoming community with access to culture, universities, and outdoor recreation.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School is a private, Catholic, college-preparatory high school serving students from New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and around the world. Founded in 1960 and accredited by NEASC, STA combines academic rigor with faith-based education, preparing students for success in college and beyond. Students are educated in a supportive environment that emphasizes critical thinking, service, leadership, and moral responsibility, guided by the school’s motto, Lux in Tenebris — Light in Darkness.
Founded 1960
Grades 9-12
Average class size: 15
Total students: 400
1 hour from Boston
Academic Excellence
STA offers a robust college-preparatory curriculum with multiple academic levels to meet students where they are.
Academic highlights include:
-
College Preparatory, Honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses
-
Strong STEM, humanities, theology, and arts offerings
-
AP courses across science, math, English, social studies, and world languages
-
Dual-enrollment opportunities in select upper-level course
All students follow a structured four-year academic plan while being supported by faculty and academic services.
Courses of Study
-
English 9 (CP)
-
English 9 (Honors)
-
English 10 (CP)
-
English 10 (Honors)
-
English 11 – American Literature (CP)
-
English 11 – American Literature (Honors)
-
English 12 – The Search for Self (CP, Semester)
-
English 12 – The Search for Self (Honors, Semester)
Advanced / AP -
AP English Language and Composition
-
AP English Literature and Composition
-
AP Seminar (Grades 11–12)
English Electives -
Holocaust Literature: Resistance and Survival (CP)
-
Mass Media and Popular Culture (CP)
-
Mystery and Suspense (CP)
-
Women’s Voices (CP)
-
Finding Your Voice: A Writing Workshop (CP)
-
Multicultural American Voices (CP) (not offered 2025–26)
-
Science Fiction: The Literature of Ideas (CP) (not offered 2025–26)
-
Speaking Up! Public Speaking for the 21st Century (CP) (not offered 2025–26)
Life as a Saint
Athletics & School Spirit
With 90% of STA students participating in at least one sport, athletics at St. Thomas Aquinas High School are an important part of student life. Athletics offer opportunities for students to stay active, build teamwork skills, and represent their school with pride. STA offers a wide range of boys’, girls’, and co-educational sports across fall, winter, and spring seasons, including soccer, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, track, and more. International students are encouraged to participate in athletics as a way to integrate quickly, develop friendships, and experience the spirit of American high school life in a supportive and competitive environment.
Sports Opportunities
-
Girls Soccer
-
Boys Soccer
-
Volleyball (Girls)
-
Field Hockey (Girls)
-
Football (Boys)
-
Cross Country (Co-ed)
-
Golf (Co-ed)
Student Life & Activities (Clubs + Arts)
Student life at STA extends well beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to participate in clubs, arts, leadership programs, and service opportunities that help them grow personally and socially.
Highlights include:
-
Visual and performing arts programs
-
Music, band, choir, and creative arts electives
-
Academic and service-based clubs
-
Campus Ministry and retreat programs
These experiences help international students integrate quickly and experience authentic American high school life.
Experiential Learning
Each year, STA students participate in WinterTerm, a week-long experiential learning program that allows students to explore interests beyond the traditional classroom.
WinterTerm experiences may include:
-
Project-based learning
-
Career exploration
-
Cultural, academic, or service experiences
This program mirrors college-style learning and helps students develop independence and curiosity.
Living with a Host Family
International students live with carefully selected host families while attending school, providing a safe and supportive home environment throughout the academic year.
Carefully Selected
Families
Students live with welcoming local families who provide a safe, supportive home.
Thoughtful
Matching Process
Each student is matched with a host family based on lifestyle, interests, and individual needs.
Screened and
Supported Homes
All host families are carefully screened and supported by Study Six.
24/7
Student Support
Students and families have access to ongoing guidance and 24/7 emergency support.