St. Thomas Aquinas School focuses on meaningful learning experiences that go beyond surface learning to develop critical thinking and problem solving. Our Faculty strives to develop a growth mindset and support students to develop the determination to overcome hardships in learning to realize their capabilities. Our true mission as a school is grounded in Catholic identity. We help families raise children in our Faith. We work to help raise a generation that will serve others and hold a sense of purpose in improving the world through awareness and social justice.

St. Thomas Aquinas School is a Catholic elementary and middle school for Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. Enrollment is approximately 425 students with two full-day Pre-Kindergarten classes,  two full-day Kindergarten classes and two classes each of grades 1 – 8. There is a maximum of 25 students per class in K – 8th and 15 students per class in Pre-K. The school day is from 8:00am to 3:00pm.

St. Thomas Aquinas School strives to provide a well-rounded, holistic education for its students. Core subjects include religion, reading, math, language arts, science, and social studies. Core subjects are taught in a challenging and developmentally appropriate style. Art, music, library, spanish and gym courses are also offered. Students learn the traditions and tenants of the Catholic Faith through daily instruction, prayer, services, and participation in the liturgical life of the parish. Daily recitation of the Rosary and Scripture sharing are part of the development of the spiritual nature and life of students.

St. Thomas Aquinas School originated from requests for a Catholic school in the city of Rio Rancho by parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. The parish, under the direction of Msgr. Douglas Raun and with the blessing of Archbishop Michael Sheehan, established a school feasibility committee which surveyed the parish and sought to obtain a site for the school.
Msgr. Raun wrote to the Religious Teachers Filippini requesting sisters be sent to establish and staff a school in his parish. Sr. Frances Lauretti, MPF, Provincial Superior, obtained permission from the General Superior of the Religious Teachers in Rome, and granted the request. Sr. Frances and her council selected 4 sisters for the establishment of a new mission in New Mexico: Sr. Alma Blume, Sr. Dolores Jensen, Sr. Anne Louise Abascal, and Sr. Mary Klersey.

On June 30th, 2000, the parish was able to finalize the purchase of the former Puesta Del Sol Elementary School located at 1100 Hood Road in Rio Rancho. The school is set on 10 acres of land. The facility has 24 classrooms, a cafeteria, gym, library, chapel and two fully equipped playgrounds, as well as a science lab, computer lab, art room, and music room.
That very day the sisters sought volunteers for the cleaning and preparation of the building. Parents, parishioners, and local residents came to paint and assist the sisters with the needed preparations. Despite flood, fire and vandalism our doors were ready to open on time. When the school opened on August 14, 2000, there were 3 kindergarten classes, and one of each grade from first through fifth grade.