William C. MichaelWilliam C. Michael

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P., is the founder and headmaster of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy and a Lay Dominican in the Catholic Church. Mr. Michael received an honors degree in Classics and Ancient History from Rutgers University and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He led the CLAA to accreditation with Cognia in 2024. He has been studying and teaching the classical liberal arts for over 30 years.

Against Dorothy Sayers (2009)

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This article was originally published in 2009.  -WM When we hear programs and schools outside of the CLAA using the phrase “classical education”, they usually mean that they’re implementing ideas found in Dorothy Sayers’ essay “The Lost Tools of Learning”.  The ideas of Sayers have nothing to do with classical education as a careful reading of her essay proves.  Dorothy Sayers may have some ideas that differ from modern schools, but they differ as much from classical ideas.  Call it what you wish, Dorothy Sayers is not an advocate of classical education. Rather than take the lazy route and merely pull quotes … Continue

What is Grace?

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Yesterday, I published what I said is the most important article I ever can or will write.  In it, I sought to answer the question, “What is the Gospel?”. As we discuss the Gospel, one key word that is used is the word “grace”.  Therefore, I believe it’s helpful (for those interested) to publish a similar study of the word “grace”, along with its implications. What Scripture Says In an English Bible, the word “grace” is found over 150 times.  In the Old Testament, it is used to translate the Hebrew word chen (חֵן).  In the New Testament, it is … Continue

What is the Gospel?

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I can confidently say that this is the most important article I have ever written, and will ever write.  It contains the answer to every question in life.   For, I am often asked for advice on parenting and education by Catholic parents, but the need for this practical advice if often owed to a greater need for knowledge of a much more important question, which they usually haven’t answered yet.  On many occasions, I have stopped and asked Catholic parents, “What is the Gospel?”  I don’t believe I have ever received a good answer, and this is where our practical problems begin.  … Continue

Think Rightly about College Admission

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In the 21st century, we must think rightly about college admission.  As Christian parents, you are responsible to God to raise your children as disciples of Jesus Christ.  That is your only responsibility as a parent.  You are to give them the education that God wills for them and it’s obvious, to any reasonable person, that this education is that which was established and commended to us by the saints and doctors of the Church.  Living 2000 years into Christian Church history, only a fool would believe it’s a good idea to “design your own curriculum”, and I suppose you … Continue

The Needs of Elite Students

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Gifted students have special needs that are not served by modern schools, curricula, teachers, etc.. In this video, Mr. Michael discusses the needs of elite students.