Military Families
St. Thomas More Cathedral School was named as a Purple Star School for a SECOND time on October 1, 2025 by the Virginia Department of Education! The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families.
Planning Your Arrival to St. Thomas More Cathedral School (STM)
STM thanks you for your service to our country and welcomes military children from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, the Pentagon, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, the U.S. Coast Guard Station, Washington Navy Yard, and other military facilities throughout the Washington, D.C. area.
Visit: Our next Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten (PreK & K) Open House is on 18 Nov 2025 (Tue) from 8:30am - 9:30am (0830-0930) and our next PreK - 8th Grade Open House is on 25 Jan 2026 (Sun) from 10am-12pm (1000-1200). If you have questions or would like to schedule a tour, please contact our Communications & Development Director, himself a recent military retiree from the Pentagon, at [email protected] or 703-528-6781 ext 236. If you are not in northern Virginia yet, we can conduct a live virtual tour.
The 7th and 8th grade Student Ambassadors comprise our student-led transition team for military families, assisting with open house tours and helping with student visitors. Grade level partners are also assigned to assist individual military students in a seamless transition to STM.
Apply: STM understands military families may be awaiting permanent change of station (PCS) orders prior to applying, but we highly encourage military families to apply early if there is even a possibility of relocation to the Arlington area, as applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Waitlists are common at all grade levels. Please visit our Admissions Page for application instructions and about having your K-8 placement screening proctored at your current duty station.
Academic Planning for Military Families: St. Thomas More Cathedral School follows the Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools Curriculum Guidelines. Additional information on the curriculum and assessments specific to St. Thomas More can be found under the Academics tab of this website.
Special Needs Navigation: Learn more about our Resource & Title I Program here - Resource Program
Guidance/Counseling: Our Guidance Counselor provides support to help your child with concerns such as transitioning to a new school, apprehensions during periods of separation of a deployed parent, as well as other related military life/student life concerns. Learn more about our Guidance and Counseling services here - Guidance/Counseling
Tuition & Financial Aid: Financial assistance may be available through the Arlington Diocese Tuition Program. Please visit the Tuition Page for the all tuition rates, including reduced tuition for Catholic children of servicemen, siblings, etc.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): STM has a robust PTO, with many of the most active members with direct ties to the Military.
Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Sports: STM has 5 sports: basketball, tennis, track, cross-country, and girls' volleyball.
Planning Your Departure from STM:
Upon request, military families will receive a refund of the annual re-registration fee and tuition paid if transfer orders are received out of the area. Families must notify the school once orders are received with their pending departure date. Once identified, families must submit the appropriate record release form from their child’s new school to STM so that student records can be forwarded on their behalf.
Additional Links to Military Resources:
Interstate Compact On Educational Opportunity For Military Children
Military Child Education Coalition
Virginia Department of Education Support for Military Families
