Student Achievement at Derrick Thomas Academy
Derrick Thomas Academy ensures all students master a curriculum
based on high academic and social standards. This is
accomplished by all stakeholders committing themselves to reaching
the goal of academic excellence for both students and staff.
Students will leave our charge prepared to achieve their personal
goals as well as contributing to their community.
About Derrick Thomas Academy
Located five minutes south of downtown Kansas City, Derrick
Thomas Academy (DTA) is a tuition free (no charge) public school
serving an enrollment of 950 Kindergarten through 8th grade
students. The student population consists of a mixture of students
from the immediate neighborhood as well as students from other
areas of Kansas City, MO. With a strong focus on curriculum and
instruction as well as extra curricular activities, Derrick Thomas
Academy works to meet the needs of the whole child.
The Derrick Thomas Academy implements the EdisonLearning design.
Our students are immersed in engaging curriculum, a house team
setting, rich technology and higher-level thinking.
The Derrick Thomas Academy works in partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs
Football Association for whom the late football great Derrick
Thomas played, the Derrick Thomas Third and Long
Foundation, and the University of Missouri at Kansas
City (UMKC).
Contact Derrick Thomas Academy
Derrick Thomas Academy
201 East Armour Boulevard
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
816-531-7144
Office Hours: 7:15AM - 5:30 PM
About Derrick Thomas
On January 31, 2009, Derrick Thomas was one of six players
selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He
was officially inducted in Canton, Ohio on August 8, 2009. He had
been a finalist for induction for four years before his
induction. The Chiefs announced on June 23, 2009 that they
will retire #58 in honor of Thomas. His number was formally retired
against the Denver Broncos on December 6th.
Thomas' mother established the Moms2Moms58 Foundation to honor her
son's legacy. The foundation works with professional football
players, non-profit organizations, community leaders, political
figures and entertainers to educate the public on car seat and
seatbelt safety, children's health and sports safety outreach to
inner-city youth. Each year Moms2Moms58 hosts the "Celebration of
Life Celebrity Weekend" in Derrick's hometown of Miami, FL. The
Celebration of Life was established to honor the life and
charitable works of Thomas through music, entertainment and
fundraising for community enrichment programs. Moms2Moms58 and
Celebration of Life are administered through 501(c)(3) status.
Derrick Thomas is the only professional athlete ever honored
with a school in his namesake.