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St. Thomas Aquinas Academy

Fall 2025 Class: American Literature

Fall 2025 Class: American Literature

Course Plan

What to Expect

  • Engaging Discussions: 8 live, Socratic-style classes—no lectures, just lively guided conversations capped at 3–10 students for personal attention.
  • Support: The STAA Study Guide and student website keep your student on track between meetings.
  • Graded Progress: Graded weekly quizzes and prep activities; advisor grading of formal writing assignments available, too (discuss the grading option with an advisor before registering).

Live Homeschool Learning

Elevate Your Homeschool with Live Discussions

Bring the classical liberal arts to life with St. Thomas Aquinas Academy’s live online classes, designed to support Catholic homeschooling families. Our advisor-led, Socratic-style courses invite high school students to engage deeply with the Great Books, spiritual classics, and the grand ideas of Western Civilization—from history and literature to theology and the sciences. No prior experience in classical education is needed; we blend structure with flexibility to meet your family where you are, fostering inspiring conversations and intellectual growth.

What Are STAA Live Classes?

Our live classes offer a “semi-online” experience, combining biweekly or weekly Zoom discussions with offline preparation. Led by experienced advisors, these small-group sessions—capped at 10 students—emphasize dialogue over lectures, encouraging teens to think critically, speak confidently, and connect faith with reason. Courses span writing, reasoning, religion, history, economics, government, fine arts, and natural sciences, all rooted in a Catholic worldview that prepares students for life beyond schooling. Explore our Live Class Schedule for dates and details.

How It Works

Students prepare offline using STAA Study Guides, tackling readings, assignments, and study tools, then join advisor-guided Socratic-style discussions to explore ideas with peers. Weekly online quizzes via the STAA Student Zone keep progress on track. Orientation seminars before each semester ensure a smooth start, while our advisors offer personalized support—whether you’re fully enrolled or opting for an Independent Study membership.

Materials & STAA Study Guide

We will be studying real, quality, meaningful books!

Our courses engage students with true, timeless books—most non-consumable and ready to enrich your Catholic home library as lasting keepsakes. Teaching-parents are responsible for purchasing the books and STAA Study Guides for the courses from preferred or our recommended suppliers.

Online versions of the STAA Study Guides, accessible via the STAA Student Zone (login required), provide a seamless backup when printed guides are delayed, lost, or still arriving.

Required technology for meetings is simple: Live classes use Zoom for camera-free web meetings, ensuring privacy for students (and their families) during lively seminars with the advisor and peers, requiring a device (ideally a laptop, computer, or tablet with keyboard) with a reliable internet connection and a headset with a boom microphone. A smartphone can be used in a pinch.

Required software:

  1. Zoom: Free to use; discussed above.
  2. Word Processing Software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, Google Docs): Lets students write and edit assignments like essays or notes for submission and discussion prep.
  3. Scanner or PDF App (e.g., Adobe Scan): Converts handwritten work, such as notes in STAA Study Guides, timelines, prewriting, or worksheets, into digital PDF files using a physical scanner or a free mobile app (like Adobe Scan or Office Lens) on a smartphone, making it simple to submit assignments or share materials with advisors digitally.
  4. Web Browser (e.g., Chrome, Safari, Firefox): Provides access to the STAA Student Zone for quizzes, resources, and progress tracking twice weekly.

Software seem daunting? Fear not—the live class advisor is careful to model and coach students, transforming them into Zoom stars, document masters, and PDF pros in a snap! Employers and professors love how naturally STAA live class students wield these must-have tools for work and college.

Graded Class Meetings

Live classes on the ♞Black Schedule and ♘White Schedule tracks meet every other week. The ✪Essential Schedule courses in writing and reasoning convene every Tuesday for steady, consistent engagement. STAA Study Guides support students with structured plans and assignments for effective study between meetings.

Small group discussions: Limited to ten students, these seminar-style live classes feature Socratic conversations guided by the advisor—not lectures—focusing on exploring texts, building study skills, and mastering time management. Grades reflecting student preparedness and participation are issued by the advisor for each discussion.

Course Cancellation Policy

Live Class Cancellation and Refund Policy

The registration fee covers the live class and grading option selected at registration and is non-prorated. Refunds are available until Week B, Day 1 of the Academic Calendar if your schooling situation changes, minus a $50 cancellation fee and credit card processing fees (typically 3%, higher for currency conversions). Written refund requests must be submitted by mail or email before the first “Book Check” orientation meeting (Week B, Day 2 of the Academic Calendar) if your student cannot continue. Details on drafting cancellation requests are available on the Refund Policy page.  We’re here to help—contact us with any questions!


Coursework and Attendance Policy

All coursework must be completed by Day 5 of Week 16, per the semester calendar (some assignments allow a three-day late submission window—see specific due dates). No discounts, credits, or refunds are provided for missed, skipped, or forgotten assignments or class meetings.

As a homeschooling program, students may submit late assignments or discussions to their teaching-parents for grading, and parents may adjust the final grade in the official semester gradebook accordingly. The clearly defined schedule helps ensure your student thrives with structure, consistency, and a strong finish to the semester.

Ready to Register? Add live classes to your student's STAA enrollment or Independent Study membership by choosing a grading option and completing the form below to register your student for the class. Let St. Thomas Aquinas Academy bring classical education—and vibrant discussions—to your homeschool!

Grading Options
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$159.00 USD
$159.00 USD
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Grading Options

Hi, I’m Bethany, the high school advisor leading this class. Let's meet for a consultation before you register your teen for the advisor-graded version of this course. During our meeting, I’ll ask about your student’s most recent writing classes, and explain the live class’s assignment schedule, software requirements, and prerequisites. Mostly, though, I will help you choose the grading options that are the best fit for your child. It will be a pleasure to guide you through the registration process and hear about your family's educational goals! Use the online scheduler to choose a time to chat that works for you.

Schedule a Meeting | Send an Email

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
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A
A. S., Grade 9

Basis for Rating: I really liked the Teaching the Classics discs and lessons, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was really engaging. At times I found the book crude, but overall I enjoyed it.Review: Since I was little, I've always loved to read. I had picked up the Adventures of Tom Sawyer a few years ago at the library after my brother told me how exciting the book was. I loved the story, so I was looking forward to reading another of Twain's books this semester, but I had accustomed to the thought that I wouldn't enjoy reading if it was part of my schoolwork. Throughout the weeks, I found that, rather than distracting me from what I was reading, the course assignments prompted me to delve deeper into the story and savor each chapter more than I would have normally. Huck's insight on life is so interesting, and I looked forward to seeing how he dealt with strange problems and characters. Dishonesty came easily to him in every situation, but for a short moment in chapter 31, he experienced the wonderful feeling of honesty. "I felt good and all washed clean of sin for the first time I had ever felt so in my life, and I knowed I could pray now." (Twain 238) Huck's struggle with his conscience was the aspect of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that I found most intriguing.

C
C. B., Grade 8

Basis for Rating: I enjoyed this course immensely, while learning a lot but still having fun! I loved the online classes with Miss Bethany, and even though sometimes things were a bit tricky, they really helped me think deeply about literature.Review: One of the many lessons I learned during this course was how to think deeply about literature using the Socratic List (Teaching the Classics 79-92). It was interesting using these lists to think about books and stories completely differently than I ever had before. I look forward to use these questions from the Socratic List in the following years of my life.

J
J. J., Grade 9

Basis for Rating: The course organization was excellent. The STAA staff was wonderful. The lasting value was priceless. The personal enjoyment was overflowing, and the difficulty was well-moderated.Review: To begin with, this semester of American Literature has been a fantastic experience. Using the Teaching the Classics course with Mr. Andrews was very helpful and enlightening. Miss Bethany's advice was wonderful and the work was rewarding. Week 15's live discussion was a lasting reflection. The talk about conflict in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn opened my mind the complexity of human nature and the genius of Mark Twain. Overall, the course has deepened my love of quality American literature and laid the foundations for me to expand even more in new books.

P
P. S., Grade 10

Basis for Rating: The lessons were very clear and interesting, and Miss Bethany is a great teacher.Review: I don't really have one important lesson for me, but I really enjoyed the Teaching The Classics videos. I really enjoyed them because they weren't very boring at all and fun to watch, and I felt that I benefited a lot from them. 

M
M. M., Grade 9

Basis for Rating: The book selection of Huckleberry Finn. The course of Teaching the Classics. The flexibility included in the scheduleReview: Take your time with this course. Huckleberry Finn is an exciting read, so if you want, it is fine to read everything in one day, or drag it out, as long as your week is finished on time.

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