Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, the importance of a solid education cannot be overstated. For Catholic students aspiring to make a mark in society, attending a great college or university is not just a stepping stone; it’s a launchpad for a successful and fulfilling adult life. William Michael of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy offers insightful advice for students and parents on how to navigate the college admission process, focusing on the unique opportunities and responsibilities that come with being a Catholic student. Why Aim for a Great University? The benefits of attending a renowned university are manifold. These institutions … Continue

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of Christian men seems to be in a state of flux. With the rise of social media and the prominence of conservative speakers like Charlie Kirk, Ben Shapiro, and Candace Owens, there appears to be a new form of outreach that targets college students in debates over controversial issues. However, this approach raises questions about the effectiveness and depth of such engagements. The Misguided Focus on College Controversies It’s important to recognize that college students, while in a formative stage of their lives, are not yet fully immersed in the realities of adult … Continue

It’s remarkable to look back at the curricula of colleges and universities, even as far back as the early 1900s, and observe the heavy emphasis on classical studies. A college education was synonymous with Greek and Latin studies, philosophy, theology, reasoning, and rhetoric. Education meant proficiency in classical studies. However, this began to change in the 1900s as social shifts redesigned the curriculum, ultimately removing classical studies from the core curriculum. Fast forward to the early 2000s, and we witness classics departments closing down across various institutions. Studies once foundational to a college education now struggle to find a place … Continue

The COVID fantasy world is coming to an end and high school students will once again need to show more than meaningless high school grades for admission to good colleges and universities. This is good news for real students, who will be rewarded. “The New Haven, Conn., school made the decision after it found that standardized test scores from all four of the exams were more predictive of academic success than high school grades.”

I frequently receive emails from Catholic men expressing a keen interest in studying the classical liberal arts, particularly to delve into philosophy and scholastic theology. They often seek advice on where to begin. I usually share a link to an article I’ve written or talks I’ve given because the message remains consistent. However, there’s a crucial issue affecting modern men’s ability to study and make progress in classical Catholic studies, as addressed in Sacred Scripture. In the New Testament, St. Paul laments that Christian men, despite being in the church for some time, remain intellectually immature, akin to babies unable … Continue

“God will help us, and make us understand what we believe. We can be sure that we are treading in the path pointed out by the Prophet who says: ‘Unless you believe you will not understand.‘.” St. Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will

Proposition I.4 presents Euclid’s proof of what is called the “Side-Angle-Side Theorem” in modern schools. The question students often ask is in Classical Geometry, when studying proposition 1.4 is, “How can we just assume the two triangles with two equal sides and a common angle between them?” That does seem to come out of nowhere. These two imagined triangles can be produced using the Elements and Propositions I.1-3. See image above. To summarize: Those who have studied propositions I.1-3 should be able to see how this was done. Follow the letters in alphabetical order. I haven’t formally proven this yet, … Continue