1 1

St. Thomas Aquinas Academy

Fall 2025 Class: Composition IB

Fall 2025 Class: Composition IB

Course Plan

What to Expect

  • Engaging Discussions: 16 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 all Composition IB and English Mechanics assignments.

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
Section
$395.00 USD
$395.00 USD
Sale Sold out
View full details

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 4 reviews
75%
(3)
0%
(0)
25%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
A. B., Grade 8

Basis for Rating: We enjoyed how clear Miss Bethany was for expectations for homework, behavior, assignments and class time. We loved how easy it was to see what was due when. We are so grateful for her thorough feedback on each and every assignment. Miss Bethany was kind, amiable and knowledgeable. Everything was well organized. The sheer amount of information that was packed into this course was incredible.Review: The lesson that I benefited from most, and continue to benefit from, was lesson five. This lesson contained the Story Sequence Chart. The Story Sequence Chart is a simple structure that uses simple questions to help break down telling a three-paragraph story. “Each paragraph has a distinct purpose. The first paragraph tells about the people or animals in the story and when and where they live. The second paragraph tells about the conflict or problem that occurs within the story. The third paragraph begins with the climax, the turning point in the story, and ends with the resolution, the events that occur after the climax.” (U.S. History Based Writing Lessons lesson 5 pg. 43) I felt that with this structure I gained new freedom. Everything came a lot easier when I asked myself the questions, "who is in the story? What are they like? What do they need/want? What do they say and do?" Writing became less overwhelming and more enjoyable. I feel confident that I will take this skill of breaking things down and accomplishing them step by step throughout my entire life.

P
P. S., Grade 10

Basis for Rating: This course really helped me understand how to write good papers and was really clear on how to do everything well. Miss Bethany is a great teacher.Review: There really wasn't one important lesson to me. I really enjoyed all of the lessons in the U.S History-Based Writing Lessons where we had to write the KWO. I had never done KWO before, and I thought it really helped me write a better paper.

J
J. J., Grade 9

Basis for Rating: The organization was excellent. The STAA Staff was extremely patient and helpful. The value was lasting. The course was enjoyable. And lastly, the difficulty was well-balanced. Overall, these qualities deserve five stars.Review: To begin with, I have throughly enjoyed this first semester of Composition. In my first live class for this subject, I learned that quality writing was extremely important because it was a way to clearly express one’s ideas and thoughts. This piece of wisdom has further deepened my love of writing. Jensen’s Punctuation and Jensen’s Grammar were indispensable in helping me navigate the English language. For instance, I used to have a difficult time finding which part of speech a word was in. But Jensen’s Grammar provided me with trustworthy test frames to correct my problem (Jensen 47). Above all, I savored the weekly discussions with Miss Bethany and the other students. In conclusion, the course exceeded my expectations and elevated my understanding and use of writing.

M
M. M., Grade 9

Basis for Rating: U.S. History Based Writing LessonsReview: Never even think you can put things off. It is important to simply gets things done, but not at the last second.

More Live Classes

1 5
View all