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.

Don’t Be Presumptuous about “Family Planning”

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Summary Young Catholic couples should not feel pressured to have large families by cultural or political messaging. Decisions about children must be made prudently and privately by husband and wife, based on their real circumstances, including health, finances, and social environment. Large families are not a requirement of Catholic teaching, and having many children should not be treated as an ideal in itself. Couples must avoid unrealistic expectations about marriage and parenting, especially the assumption that they can easily raise perfectly devout children regardless of circumstances. Family life is long, demanding work that requires serious preparation, patience, and adaptability. Rather … Continue

Save 30-50% off on Verbum Academic Software

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One tool I use daily for study and writing is Verbum, which is one of the largest digital libraries available for Catholic books. I’m happy to announce that Verbum has added the Classical Liberal Arts Academy to its list of recognized colleges, seminaries and universities, and offers 30-50% off on its academic software for enrolled students. To request this discount, you will need a letter from the CLAA verifying your enrollment status, which we’re happy to provide. Verbum is highly recommended. God bless your studies, Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.HeadmasterClassical Liberal Arts Academy

Man and Machine: Generic vs. Individual Superiority

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In the present age of artificial intelligence, it has become common to assert that man is superior to machines. This claim is often made as though it were obvious, needing no defense. Yet when examined carefully, it becomes clear that such a statement is usually made in a generic and theoretical sense rather than in an individual and actual one. Machines already surpass many men not only in tasks associated with intelligence, but also in efficiency, consistency, and productivity in work. This fact forces us to reconsider what is really meant by human superiority. The question must therefore be posed … Continue

How to Handle Private Beliefs in Public Life

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Summary Living with strong convictions in a free and diverse society requires a clear distinction between private and public life. In private life, individuals may order their actions entirely according to their own beliefs. In public life, however, they must respect the equal rights and freedoms of others and cannot treat shared spaces as extensions of their own authority. The expression of beliefs requires prudence. While individuals are free to speak according to their convictions, public and professional contexts impose real consequences, which must be accepted as part of living in a free society rather than interpreted as violations of … Continue

Physical Education for Classical Schools

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Summary Modern education suffers from two extremes in physical training: on one side, sedentary and undisciplined children who are weak and unhealthy; on the other, overtrained athletes engaged in excessive, specialized sports that do not contribute to a well-lived life. Neither extreme is reasonable. Drawing on Aristotle, physical education must aim at a golden mean—a balanced development of the body that serves the soul. The body is the instrument of the soul, and without proper physical training, a person’s intellectual and moral potential cannot be fully realized. Physical discipline cultivates strength, endurance, temperance, and courage, all of which are necessary … Continue

Schools are Ready for Change

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In my work in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy I receive contacts from schools that acknowledge their awareness that the current school model is not sustainable and that improvement is needed. They are ready for change but there is a problem: being educated in modern schools themselves, and having no idea where to look for solutions, they are stuck. There is little to no knowledge of alternatives to the ordinary arrangement and operation of modern K-12 schools. The schools are not goal-oriented and designed for success in the present generation. They are still operating as schools did 30 years ago. … Continue

The Bible and Classical Education

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The relationship between the Bible, philosophy, and classical education is often misunderstood in modern discussions, especially among Christians. It is commonly assumed that the Bible replaces all other forms of knowledge, or that the world before Scripture was largely ignorant and in need of correction. From this assumption, it follows that children should be taught to consider only the Bible as a source of truth, as if it were sufficient for all intellectual development. Some even quote passages like 2 Timothy 3:15-16 as proof of this. However, when we examine the history of philosophy, the teaching of the Church Fathers, … Continue

Wednesday Parent Meetings

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Dear Parents, Each Wednesday evening at 9:00 PM (EST), my wife and I host an open Zoom meeting for CLAA families. All parents—both prospective and currently enrolled—are warmly invited to attend. There is no cost to participate, though registration is required. The meeting room opens promptly at 9:00 PM. I begin with a brief update on current developments within the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, along with timely guidance for parents based on the academic calendar. Following these remarks, the meeting is opened for discussion, where parents are free to ask questions and engage in conversation on any topics related to … Continue

On the Use of AI in Writing at the Classical Liberal Arts Academy

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In recent years, new tools have emerged that allow writers to draft and refine content with the assistance of artificial intelligence. As families become more aware of these tools, it is natural that questions arise regarding their proper use. Some wonder whether it is appropriate to rely on such tools in writing, whether their use compromises authorship, and whether work can still be considered genuine if artificial assistance is involved. These are reasonable questions, and they deserve a clear and careful answer. At the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we hold that the value of any written work lies not in … Continue

The Methods of Investigation and the Formation of the Intellect: A Classical Approach to Education

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Before any student can profit from the study of the arts and sciences, he must understand that knowledge does not fall from heaven, nor is it to be obtained by memorizing information put in front of us. All true learning depends upon a right order of inquiry, and the sciences themselves were originally established by men who followed this order carefully and consistently. If we are to receive their work rightly, we must understand the path by which they arrived at their conclusions. This article, therefore, explains the methods of investigation that govern all sound reasoning and scientific knowledge as … Continue