Saint Thomas Aquinas High School has spent recent years clarifying its identity as a faith-centered academic community. Under the leadership of President Brian Schenck, the school has taken a deliberate approach to aligning its culture, programs, and long-term planning with its Catholic mission.
Schenck’s nearly 30 years at Aquinas give him a unique perspective on how the school has evolved while remaining grounded in its core values. “In my 29 years at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, the strength of our community has always been the foundation of our success,” he said. “We kept hearing stories that there is something special about our community. It became necessary to name that something and be intentional with our unique mission.”
That clarity has sharpened the school’s focus on faith formation. For Schenck, the school’s identity begins with its name. “We are the Saints, but it is more than a mascot,” he said. “We are all called to be Saints. Our students need to know they are a part of this mission toward sainthood.”
Rather than emphasizing a single path, Aquinas encourages students to grow in ways that reflect who they are. “Each Saint took a different path with their unique strengths to grow closer to God,” Schenck said. “It is the same with our students. God has blessed them with gifts that are different from one another.”
That belief shapes Schenck’s approach to leadership. “Personally, I am driven by the idea of continuous improvement,” he said. “We cannot afford to just reach a manufactured finish line and consider things done.”
In recent years, that mindset has guided meaningful campus improvements, including a new track and turf field and a fine and performing arts wing connected to the theater. Schenck credits the broader Aquinas community for making those projects possible. “The support of parents, past parents, and alumni has been a tremendous gift toward our progress,” he said.
The same collaborative approach guided the development of the school’s new five-year strategic plan. Rather than serving as a broad vision statement, the plan outlines priorities across academics, Catholic identity, student life, enrollment, facilities, and long-term sustainability. “Last year, we spent the time listening to our community through surveys and feedback sessions to develop priorities over the next five years,” Schenck said. “Working together in committees affirmed that we are moving in the right direction.”
Faith formation remains central to daily life at Aquinas, especially through the Kairos retreat program. “The faith is so alive in our community,” Schenck said. “Our Kairos retreat program is the best ‘thing’ we do at Aquinas.”
The senior-led retreat has an impact that extends beyond the days students spend away. “Our students get to experience the power of listening to others’ stories and see how Jesus plays a role in that story,” he said. When seniors return, they help shape the tone of the school community. The impact is visible, including a growing number of students who choose to enter the Catholic Church. “We had 13 students convert to Catholicism last school year and we have another 13 converting this year,” Schenck said. “I truly believe the youth are drawn to something greater in their life.”
Academics at Aquinas are structured to support that same sense of purpose. Students follow a core curriculum aligned with Kansas Scholars requirements alongside theology courses based on the USCCB curriculum. Over time, the school has expanded offerings in engineering, health professions, business, and the arts to help students explore their strengths. “Since we are trying to foster the growth of their God-given gifts, we have developed programs and courses to develop these strengths,” Schenck said.
Service is another expectation woven into student life. Aquinas maintains a strong relationship with Catholic Charities, and students lead large-scale efforts such as a canned food drive that brings in more than 100,000 donated items each year. Partnerships beyond campus also shape learning, including collaboration with Rockhurst University for nursing and health professions coursework. “A true education has to expand beyond the walls of the school,” Schenck said.
Under Brian Schenck’s leadership, the school continues to focus on clarity and consistency, aligning daily practice with a clearly defined mission. For families considering Aquinas, the school presents itself as a place where faith and education are intentionally connected, and where students are supported as they grow into who they are called to become.
“I truly believe the youth are drawn to something greater in their life.”
“We kept hearing stories that there is something special about our community. It became necessary to name that something and be intentional with our unique mission.”