PARENT INFO
Dress Code
All students are governed by administrative interpretation of the dress code. Final decisions regarding the appropriateness of student dress is reserved for the Aquinas Middle School administration. Anything that draws attention to itself is not acceptable. You may view the dress code to the right as a PDF.
Curriculum
At Aquinas Middle School, a comprehensive middle school curriculum, as listed below, is taught:
Core Courses – 7th & 8th Grades
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Religion
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Language Arts and Literature
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Mathematics
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Science
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Social Studies
Encore Courses – 7th & 8th Grades
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International Language (Spanish or French)
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Band, Choir, Strings, or General Music
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Physical Education
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Computers
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Art
International Language: Students may choose a two-year program of French or Spanish. Aquinas Middle School offers students the opportunity to complete their first year of a high school international language during the middle school years. Seventh grade students select from French or Spanish and follow through with that in eighth grade. Successful completion of the course, along with teacher recommendation, allows the student to begin high school at level 2 of the international language.
Music: Students in all grades must choose one music elective (Band, Choir, Strings, or General Music). Every attempt is made to allow students two music choices when requested. Aquinas Middle School offers four selections of music for students. Band, Strings, and Choir are performance groups. General Music will cover history, theory, and experiences of music without a strong focus on performance. Students may enroll in two music courses with the understanding that there will be no time in the student schedule for a study hall.
Math: Accelerated Math is offered to qualifying seventh grade students. High school Algebra is offered to qualifying eighth grade students. Qualifying students are notified of their placement in July before the beginning of the new school year.
Please note: Encore courses meet once in a three day cycle. An Encore course may not be offered if enrollment numbers are not sufficient to offer the course.
AMS Report Card
The Department of Public Instruction releases public reports for all public and choice schools and requests that all schools display these report cards on their websites. Below is an example of the 2021-2022 information that the report cards provide. Please note that Aquinas Catholic Schools and all private schools are currently NOT rated. The student achievement scores listed below are actually the average state scores for 2021-2022. Feel free to go to the site listed below to see the standings of all public and choice schools throughout Wisconsin. https://apps2.dpi.wi.gov/reportcards/
Notice of Educational Options
Pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 115.28 (54m), notice must be provided regarding the educational options available to all students who are at least three years old, but not yet 18 years old
Safe Environment
Every threat to human dignity and life is felt in the Church’s very heart. It affects us at the core of our faith and requires strong preventive steps and responsive actions.
Bullying policy
Aquinas Catholic Schools strives to provide a safe, secure and respectful learning environment. We will consistently and vigorously address bullying, including cyberbullying, to maintain the standards of a Christian community. Policies and procedures are described in our student/parent handbook.
Drug policy
The presence and use of drugs and alcohol present a clear and present danger to the health, safety, and welfare of all pupils and we take action to protect students from the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Our drug policy is described in detail in our student/parent handbook.
Supply Lists
Lunch Menu
Parent Organizations
AMS Parent Association
Membership: All middle school parents
Focus:
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Meeting forum provides information regarding middle school activities, events, etc.
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Assist Aquinas Middle School with fundraisers and student activities.
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Please contact the Middle School Office for more information
Snow & Inclement Weather Procedures
Should weather conditions require the cancellation of school or bus routes, information will be relayed to parents and staff through the following media:
Television
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Channel 8 WKBT (CBS)
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Channel 13 WEAU (NBC)
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Channel 19 WXOW (ABC)
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Channel 25 WLAX (FOX)​
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Website
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www.aquinascatholicschools.org – a special announcement will be posted on the ACS homepage and all school homepages
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Radio
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93.3 FM Z-93
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94.7 FM KCLH
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95.7 FM WRQT
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98.3 FM KQYB
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100.1 FM Classic Rock
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102.7 FM Eagle 102.7
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104.9 FM Magic 105
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106.3 FM CC 106.3
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580 AM WKTY
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1410 AM WIZM
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1490 AM WLFN
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School Bus Routes
Local Routes: Public school bus routes for residents of the School Districts of La Crosse, Onalaska, and Holmen will continue to operate when ACS and the public school districts remain open.
Routes 90 (Ridge Route), 42 (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton) and 76 (Genoa) with direct service to Aquinas: These routes are chartered by ACS and will continue to operate when ACS is in session. Route 42 is an ACS route, even though some riders transfer at Luther High School, and will run when ACS is in session.
Bus routes that transfer at Luther High School (Routes 37 to Sparta/Tomah, 76 to La Crescent, 9 to Centerville/Galesville, 20 to Dakota/Nodine): Even if ACS is in session, there may be times when weather conditions do not allow the operation of these outlying bus routes. In those events, media will be asked to list ACS as open, but a school status of “Snow Routes” or “Buses on Main Roads Only” means that chartered routes that transfer through Luther High School will NOT operate that day. Parents should examine road conditions and determine if and when it is safe to consid-er alternative transportation. Absences and tardies due to the cancellation of bus routes will be considered excused. In the unlikely event that severe weather forces these chartered afternoon bus routes to begin early, students will be excused from classes in order to ride the bus. The school will contact parents, or the emergency contact provided by parents, to notify them if afternoon buses are running early.
Please keep this information handy for snowy mornings!
FACTS Financial Aid Application
Application and income documentation is required for the Aquinas Catholic Schools Tuition Assistance Scholarship. FACTS Management works with schools to create a custom application and collect financial data so schools can make accurate award decisions based on financial need. You may log into your FACTS user account to review the status of your application. Please allow at least two weeks for processing.