Before applying for admission to the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we ask that all parents read these requirements and commit to work to fulfill them. Please read this page carefully and contact us if there are any issues you wish to discuss before applying.
The Mission of the CLAA
The Classical Liberal Arts Academy is not a tax-funded public school intended to provide basic skills to millions of children. It is also not a modern diocesan Catholic school aiming to provide a general education to Catholic children. Our program is not organized around the modern K-12 school model, modern curriculum standards, artificial grade levels, workplace readiness requirements, modern educational theories, etc. The Classical Liberal Arts Academy offers real classical Catholic (i.e., Scholastic) education through self-paced online courses that begin in childhood and continue through life. Our courses may be used by homeschooling families, private schools and adult students interested in the pursuit of Wisdom. At the same time, we make it possible for students to complete modern requirements in an efficient way while focusing on a classical education.
What is a Student?
We must make an important distinction between children and students. A “student” is not a child who is enrolled in a school, but an individual who is actively seeking knowledge. The word is derived from the Latin studere, which means “to seek”. Children, on their own, rarely ever seek knowledge and understanding. Doing so is contrary to the present condition of human nature. For a child to succeed in real classical studies, he must have the support of parents and teachers who understand this and do what is necessary to help him establish the good habits necessary for long-term success.
Requirements for Success in Classical Catholic Studies
While we invite all families to apply for admission, we must be honest about the challenges that real classical education poses. Modern schools teach students that they can be or do anything they want to, but that is not true. As human beings, we all face real obstacles that, unless overcome, will keep us from great achievements. The pursuit of true Wisdom is the greatest of all achievements and it is a long and difficult pursuit. When a child’s life is disordered and impious, and lacks the support of parental discipline, he will not progress far in the pursuit of Wisdom. The book of Wisdom teaches us:
“[The Lord] is found by those who do not test him, and manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him. Because into a soul that plots evil Wisdom does not enter, nor does she dwell in a body under debt of sin.”
Wisdom 1
For a child to succeed in our program, parents must provide the following aids, all of which are in the parents’ power:
1. Catholic Christian Culture
Our program is philosophically and theologically Catholic. It cannot be adapted to non-Catholic uses without significant detriment to the fundamental principles of classical education. We do not permit families to pick and choose what they will or will not study, and we hold the same standards for all Academy students. Second, our studies are rigorous and are not suited to disorderly and impious households that simply crave benefits they cannot realistically obtain.
Parents should only enroll a child if they are committed to fully supporting Academy studies and maintain a culture that is conducive to learning. Parents cannot enroll their children for rigorous studies that their family will prevent them from completing. This includes showing their children necessary love and affection, providing necessary study materials, eliminating avoidable distractions and obstacles, contributing to the efficient operation of the Academy, providing academic assistance to the student and demonstrating a genuine appreciation for the student’s work. The family must model the virtues sought through study and gently push the students along.
Families must also commit to cultivating a spirit of sobriety and maturity among their children, rather than allowing the perpetual childishness that ruins American children. Children are considered morally accountable by the age of their first confession and this should be taken seriously. There is no excuse for inordinate play, entertainment, etc.. “Youth is the time for extraordinary toil.” said Plato.
2. Sacramental Graces
Christ teaches us that He is the vine, we are the branches and apart from Him we can do nothing. However, many parents appear to think that children are denied access to the graces Christ gives to His Church in the Sacraments. Christian children are meant to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” by regular use of the means of grace given by Christ for this very purpose. Demanding that children produce the fruits of the Christian life without the graces of that life is irrational and cruel, like Pharaoh demanding that the Hebrews make the same number of bricks while having their supplies taken away. Our Lord commands us not to “Teach children to observe all that I command them.” but first to “make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. The grace of the sacraments enables the obedience of the Christian life.
This is one area where we believe non-Catholic students suffer significant disadvantages, and where many negligent Catholic families hinder themselves from growth in virtue and wisdom.
3. Parental Discipline
As God did not intend for children to grow without the graces of the Church’s sacraments, he also did not intend for children to grow in virtue without parental discipline. We must remember that while the books of Proverbs and Sirach are filled with commands for children to seek wisdom and instruction, they also include commands for parents to discipline their children to help them do so. The neglect of parental discipline is a neglect of Christian duty (CCC 2215-2230).
“Whoever spoils a son will have wounds to bandage, and will suffer heartache at every cry. An untamed horse turns out stubborn; and a son left to himself grows up unruly. Pamper a child and he will be a terror for you, indulge him, and he will bring you grief. Do not laugh with him lest you share sorrow with him, and in the end you will gnash your teeth. Do not give him his own way in his youth, and do not ignore his follies.”
Sirach 30 (Old Testament)
This is the word of God, and we should not trust in our own opinions (Proverbs 3:5) or those of modern society (Romans 12:12). Parents must be willing to motivate their children positively by rewards and negatively by penalties to encourage virtue and discourage vice, and lead them along the path to Wisdom.
“All discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.”
Hebrews 12 (New Testament)
4. Basic Study Skills
The Classical Liberal Arts Academy is not a preschool and we do not teach basic skills, nor do we provide special accommodations for students with extraordinary needs. We require that all students being enrolled in the Academy possess these basic skills:
- the ability to follow written instructions
- the ability to accurately read study materials
- the ability to communicate with reasonable clarity
- the ability to write legibly
- the ability to count, read and write numbers through 100.
- the ability to use a computer and type with reasonable speed and accuracy
Young students may be prepared for Academy enrollment using the CLAA’s Petty School courses.
Summary
A child who enjoys these benefits, and cooperates with them, has the potential to enjoy great success in classical Catholic studies in the Academy. At the same time, we understand that parents will be learning and working to provide these benefits for their children and this is an imperfect and ongoing process. We provide resources to help parents fulfill their duties as Catholic parents and give their children the opportunity to study in the Academy. We invite all parents to apply and give their best effort to their children and we pledge our support as they do so. Any and all progress in the training of virtue and pursuit of wisdom is commendable.
When you apply for admission to the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we do not demand that you be perfect as parents, but that you understand the challenge and be willing to give your all.
God bless your families,
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Headmaster
Classical Liberal Arts Academy
