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The following points of advice were written by C.S. Lewis in 1959.  The comments on each point are mine. 1. Turn off the Radio. In 1959, the radio was considered a source of distracting noise by Lewis, and we can only imagine what he would think of the television, internet, social media and smartphones today. The point here is that to write well, we need to guard our minds from the distractions of the world’s noise and focus them on our goal.  This would extend to other noise as well.  We need silence. 2. Read all the good books you … Continue

All of us have been raised in modern society, which is dominated by one particular school of thought.  We have been taught from our youth that the world is composed of invisible bodies, called “atoms”, which explain the behaviors of all natural objects we see, feel, tasks, hear and smell. This worldview is so pervasive that few, if any, can even think of an alternative. Yet, for most of world history, this worldview was never held by wise men. Let’s be clear:  The existence of atoms is not a scientific fact.  The existence of atoms is a theory used to … Continue

Today is August 13, 2025, and I’m William Michael, the headmaster of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy.  If you’d like to learn about the work we do in making real classical Catholic education available for students of all ages, visit our website at classicalliberalarts.com.  I’d love to have you join us for studies. When I was in college studying Classics and Ancient History at Rutgers University, I took a course in educational philosophy.  The course was taught by an old, retired professor, Dr. Adam Scrupski, who became a mentor and great friend to me. He was the source of my … Continue

One of the biggest challenges for new families is knowing where to begin. The Classical Liberal Arts Academy can feel large and unfamiliar, and it’s easy to worry about “doing it wrong.” The good news is that you don’t need to have everything figured out from the start. This article will guide you through the first steps of beginning your family’s studies with confidence. Start Simple, Not Overwhelmed Many parents make the mistake of trying to enroll their children in too many courses at once. Because CLAA restores the full Catholic curriculum, it can feel like there’s so much to … Continue

Elene by Cynewulf Translated by Lucius Hudson Holt 1. THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE. There had passed in the turn of years, as men mark the tale of time, two hundred and thirty and three winters over the world since the Lord God, the Glory of kings and Light of the faithful, was born on earth in human guise; and it was the sixth year of the reign of Constantine since he was raised in the realm of the Romans to lead their army, a prince of battles. He was a bulwark to his people, valiant with the shield, and gracious to … Continue

The goal of assessment is to demonstrate one’s knowledge to a third person for the sake of verification. The school is, first of all, a source of academic verification. The threat to a school’s integrity is the granting of signs of academic verification to students who have cheated. The school is, therefore, responsible to develop means by which academic verification is not deceived. Online study is subject to cheating. All academic verification must be live, oral, face to face. All study must be designed to prepare the student for live examinations. Live examinations must be prepared for and qualified for. … Continue

Catholic apologetics is the work of explaining, defending, and sharing the truths of the Catholic faith. It is a work that has always been important, but in today’s world, it is more necessary than ever. Many Catholics find themselves unprepared when questioned about their beliefs. They may know that the Church teaches something, but they often cannot explain why. In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, the study of Catholic apologetics is not approached as a separate, modern discipline. Instead, it is rooted in the timeless studies of the classical liberal arts, classical philosophy, and Scholastic theology. These studies give students … Continue

Every Toddler Is a Gift from God God gives children to families as blessings, not burdens. A toddler is not an interruption to the homeschool day, but a soul entrusted to you for care and formation. In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we teach mothers to educate their children in the same spirit that guided the great saints: with love, discipline, and order. This includes the youngest members of the household. Caring for toddlers while homeschooling is possible. With wisdom and consistency, a mother can create a home where toddlers thrive, older children learn, and God is glorified. To help … Continue