Aquinas is a regional Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Arlington founded in 1977. The school is administered and staffed by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia and a lay faculty.
A dynamic, faith-filled learning environment centered in the Person of Jesus Christ and following the teachings of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, we partner with parents, the primary educators, in a whole-child approach that includes spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, artistic, and physical formation.
Voted 'Best Private School Prince William County' 2024 and a proud Purple Star Recipient
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked VA School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 446 students
- Yearly Tuition: $8,275
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Average class size: 26 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Language-based
Year Founded
1977
School Calendar
Awards
Blue Ribbon School - Selected in n/a
School Mascot
Crusaders
Student Body
Total Students
446 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
52%
State avg.: 30%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
25 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
62%
Average Class Size
26 students
Number of AP Courses
3 courses
Advanced Courses
Engineering and Math courses offered on-side through Johns Hopkins, Science, Technology
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Uniform shirt and pants/skirts
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Several tuition rates exist. $8,275 is for Catholic families registered in one of our three parishes. Rates for non-parishioners and non-Catholics are available upon request.
Acceptance Rate
100%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Ms. Karen Cardinale
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
7 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
10 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Battle of the Books, Color Guard, Junior Legion of Mary, National Junior Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Student Council
Arts and Music Programs:
Band, Choir, Middle School Musical, Shakespeare Club
Battle of the Books, Color Guard, Junior Legion of Mary, National Junior Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Student Council
Arts and Music Programs:
Band, Choir, Middle School Musical, Shakespeare Club
School Notes
- Accredited through the VCEA under the Virginia Department of Education
- Regional: supported by Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- Served by three Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia - Principal and two full-time teachers
- Over half the faculty have an advanced degree
- Diverse student body with 29% of students speaking one of 14 second languages;65% of our student body are Black, Hispanic, or multiracial
- Full day PreK program
- Before and After School Care
- 1:1 devices for students and interactive boards in every classroom
- Courses in Music, P.E., Art, and Spanish
- Heritage Spanish Program to challenge native speakers
- Advanced English/Language Arts, Math, and STEM for middle school
- Special Education Support Services
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for PreK through 2nd grade
- All students attend weekly school Mass
- Virtues in Practice Program
- Band Program
- Annual Middle School Musical
- Largest sports program in the diocese of Arlington
- Tuition Assistance available
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School cost?
St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School's tuition is approximately $8,275 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School?
The acceptance rate of St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School is 100%, which is higher than the national average of 79%.
What sports does St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School offer?
St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School offers 7 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School's ranking?
St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for: Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School?
The application deadline for St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
5 2/24/2020
Aquinas has excellent academic programs and teachers. Students start taking Spanish twice a week starting in the 1st grade. My son has loved learning Spanish. Students also have art, music, computer, and library during the week. There are many extracurricular activities offered and the Extend Day staff are amazing! We love Aquinas!
5 2/11/2020
My 2 sons attended this school since the Pre-K to 8th grade. It gave them a good Catholic foundation. I pray that the values they learned at Aquinas stay with them for a lifetime. It can be a challenge for working parents to spend enough time every day (especially on school days) instilling values, but sending our kids to Aquinas has been comforting so that they practice the virtues in their everyday life. They have a strong STEM, athletics, arts, and music programs. However, limited in the special needs resources.
5 1/27/2020
This is a wonderful school. The school leadership and staff are dedicated to providing a great education to your child.
5 1/27/2020
My family has had an extremely positive experience at Aquinas. The staff have always made my children and me feel extremely welcome and valued within the community. The other parents are very nice. My children have had interesting projects to work on, and we've particularly loved the STEM program.
5 1/27/2020
Aquinas is the best! We could not be happier with or choice to have our kids attend this amazing school. The teachers are engaged; the students are of good character and the administration really cares about the families!
5 1/27/2020
St Thomas Aquinas is a rigorous option for a middle school as it has Stem and Robotics and also higher-level English classes. It is a great choice also if you want to develop the spiritual side of your child and help them to learn discipline in all they do. One thing I absolutely love is that my child can pray all the time, as I know that prayer changes things! My child loves math and loves his science classes, he has had amazing learning in English and also grammar which is a class that I wish I had as a kid! Did I say there are some great teachers at Aquinas (Ms. Manley, Ms. Reale, Ms. Sause, Ms. Mendell, Ms. Zengierski, just to name a few. Aquinas has amazing plays and also for the musical side my son has thoroughly enjoyed the band and you can also participate in Honor Band. There is an awesome field trip for the band participants that they all really look forward to. As a parent no matter where your child goes it is important to stay involved and visible as this is important for your child's growth and development. This is my 3rd child through middle school. We made the right decision!
Endorse St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles

Podcasts That Will Change the Way You Think About Education
This article highlights a curated selection of podcasts that offer thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and innovative ideas on various aspects of education. From exploring new teaching methods and technologies to discussing policy changes and social issues, these podcasts provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for anyone interested in education. Each podcast is briefly described, highlighting its unique focus and tone.

For-profit vs. Not-for-profit Schools
This comprehensive guide explores the differences between for-profit and not-for-profit private schools, discussing their organizational structures, advantages, and key considerations for parents. It emphasizes that a school's success is determined by its educational quality and management rather than its profit status.

2023-24 Best SSAT Prep Courses Reviewed
This article reviews the top SSAT prep courses, including Test Innovators, Enrollment Management Association (EMA), Princeton Review, Ivy Global, and Kaplan. Each course is evaluated based on its price, in-person and online services, officially licensed materials, instant normative scoring, and free trial options. We'll dive into the features and benefits of each course, helping you understand which one best fits your student's needs and learning style.