The Classical Liberal Arts Academy was founded to restore the wisdom of the Catholic intellectual tradition and make it available to families today. For many parents, discovering the CLAA is both exciting and overwhelming. You sense immediately that this is not “just another homeschool program,” but something deeper, more serious, and more enduring. This first article in our onboarding series will help you understand where you are beginning, what to expect, and how to move forward with confidence.
Why the CLAA Exists
For centuries, Catholic students were educated in the classical liberal arts. Grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy prepared them for the study of philosophy and theology. This education produced saints, scholars, and leaders who shaped the Church and the world.
In the modern era, this tradition was largely abandoned. Education was redefined in terms of utility, college admissions, and careers, while the pursuit of wisdom and virtue faded. The CLAA exists to restore this lost curriculum and make it accessible in the digital age.
What Makes the CLAA Different
Parents often come to the CLAA with assumptions shaped by modern schools or homeschool programs. It is important to clarify, right from the beginning, what makes us unique:
The CLAA is not built on modern “school standards.” It is built on the Catholic tradition of truth and wisdom.
The CLAA does not chase educational trends like “living books” or “classical conversations.” It restores the curriculum that produced saints and scholars for centuries.
The CLAA does not separate faith and learning. Every course is grounded in the teaching authority of the Church, with philosophy and theology guiding all studies.
If you measure CLAA by modern categories—grades, test prep, “fun” activities—you may feel confused. But if you measure it by the goal of raising wise and virtuous Catholic men and women, you will see why the program is worth the effort.
What You Can Expect as a Parent
Getting started in the CLAA will feel different from anything you have experienced before. In the first days, you may feel unsure about schedules, course choices, or how much to expect from your children. This is normal.
You do not need to have every answer right now. Your task at the beginning is simple:
Take the first small steps in study.
Trust the order of the curriculum.
Give yourself and your children time to adjust.
This series of articles will guide you through each stage. Over time, you will develop clarity, confidence, and rhythm in your family’s studies.
Looking Ahead
This onboarding series will walk you through the essentials:
Choosing your first courses.
Understanding your role as a Catholic parent.
Helping your children adjust to the new expectations.
Building daily habits that sustain long-term growth.
Knowing when and how to use tutoring or support.
Each article will answer the most common questions new families ask, so you don’t have to wonder if you are “doing it right.”
A Word of Encouragement
Remember that education is a journey, not a purchase. The saints and scholars of the past did not become wise overnight, and neither will your children. But every lesson studied, every task completed, every challenge overcome, will lead them closer to the goal.
You have already taken the most important step by choosing to restore the true Catholic curriculum in your home. Let us now take the next steps together.
God bless,
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Headmaster
Classical Liberal Arts Academy
