Today is September 26, 2025. This is William Michael. I’m the headmaster of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy. I received an email this evening that expresses a concern that I am pretty confident is shared by most adults living in America, especially Catholic adults, who, through their spiritual and intellectual interests, come to value communication skills and realize that they don’t have very good communication skills because they didn’t receive a very good education. I’m thankful that I was a very poor student when I was in my school years from K to 12, and I really never paid attention … Continue

Today is September 26, 2024, and this is William Michael of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy. Day to day, throughout the week, I spend a lot of time speaking with homeschool parents through consultations and things like that, and almost every conversation that I have with homeschooling parents begins with questions that reveal a lack of understanding in the work of education. For example, parents will ask, what courses should my children take in the academy? Parents will ask, what sort of pace should we expect in the courses that our children are studying? All sorts of questions like these—questions … Continue

Many parents today feel a quiet worry that their children are falling behind in school. You see other kids moving ahead, hear teachers talk about “grade levels” and “curriculum standards” and wonder if your son or daughter is where they should be. That worry can grow heavy, and it often leaves parents feeling helpless. But you don’t need to stay stuck there. The Classical Liberal Arts Academy offers a gentle, practical way for families to get back on track, and even move ahead with confidence. One of the most comforting things about the CLAA is that we are open all … Continue

Summary William Michael, headmaster of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, addresses the common parental concern about the pace at which homeschool students should progress. He explains that the question stems from a modern school mindset, where artificial deadlines and schedules create unnecessary pressure. Homeschooling, however, offers freedom from such constraints, allowing families to work 365 days a year without rigid calendars, tailoring education to individual children’s needs and paces. Unlike modern schools, which group students by age and prioritize grades over mastery, homeschooling focuses on true understanding for life, not just school requirements. Mr. Michael advises parents to create a … Continue