OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
Saint Thomas Academy recognizes that all God's children are created in His image, and in recognition of that fact, we celebrate ALL of God's children. They ALL have a home at Saint Thomas Academy.
For the 2021-22 school year, our focus will be on unity and togetherness in the biblical sense based on Galatians 3. versus 26-29: So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
Saint Thomas Academy student body expressed interest in restarting the Diversity Club at the end of the 2020-21 school year. The club is now called The Diversity Student Union (DSU).
Diversity Student Union Mission Statement:
We are a club dedicated to building awareness, education, and unity in our community. We aim to find solutions to controversial issues by finding a middle ground rather than going to extremes. We will provide a voice for all demographics who don’t feel represented and ensure respect and dignity are shared between ALL groups.
Diversity Outreach Task Force
Committee Members:
- Rick Stevson (chair), Admissions
- John Barnes, Advancement/Alumni
- Karen Flanagan, Faculty/Spanish
- Anthony Hayes '11, Alumni Representative
- Jamie Jurkovich, Middle School Director
- Justin Larson, Counselor
- Joel Loecken, Faculty/Theology
- Luke Marks, '11, Faculty/English
- Steve Rosga, Fitness Director
- Joe Seidel, Faculty/Theology
- Dave Ziebarth, Faculty/History, Retired
ENROLLMENT FACTSHEET
| Academic Year | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 |
| Total Students | 576 | 587 | 622 |
| Students of color | 14.6% | 16.5% | 18% |
| Middle School | 21.4% | 24.6% | 21.8% |
| Upper School | 11.5% | 14.6% | 16.8% |
Employee Diversity
| Academic Year | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 |
| Total Employees | 97 | 102 | 99 |
| 39% Female 61% Male | 40.2% Female 59.8% Male | 39.4% Female 60.6% Male |
|
| Employees of Color | 7% | 9.8% | 13.10% |
"We cannot be a church that is true to the demands of the Gospel if we do not act justly, if we do not act to root out racism in the structures of our society and our church. And we cannot achieve personal holiness if we do not love tenderly, if we do not love and respect all human beings, regardless of their race, language, or ethnic heritage."
- Archbishop Harry J. Flynn
The Christian Response to Racism, from the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
"Rooted in our Catholic faith, Saint Thomas Academy is committed to service and to forming boys into men of character."
- Headmaster Kelby Woodard
Header Image (interior)
Diversity Spotlight
Archive
Generational Excellence
COACH ABE WOLDESLASSIE ‘08 WITH LEO OGLE ‘23
Any list of notable alumni of the Academy must include Abe Woldslassie class of 2008. Woldeslassie is the head coach of Macalester College’s Men’s Basketball team and has accomplished a stunning 15 victories in his first year as head coach (the Scots had won only 35 games total in the past 10 years). He is the first former cadet I have interviewed in the new Voices of STA series, this is a collection of interviews with accomplished alumni of the Academy. Over the course of the interview, Abe walked me through the shining moments, trials and tribulations of his Academy experience. From his experiences as a cadet of color to a student athlete we covered it all. I hope you enjoy the inaugural Voices of STA.
Leo Ogle '23-