Study Center

New! Standardized Test Records & Evaluation

by

This week, we added a helpful new resource on the CLAA Study Center. A new “Standardized Testing section has been added to the “Reports” menu on the Study Center with a link to view a student’s CAT Test Results. When students complete their annual standardized testing in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we will upload each year’s results to the CLAA Study Center and add a helpful evaluation of the results that explains how to remedy weaknesses and maintain strengths identified by the testing. Using grade-level standardized tests to evaluate student progress is strongly recommended for CLAA families. These scores … Continue

Why Do We Need to Study Porphyry’s Introduction?

by

In the opening sentence of Porphyry’s Introduction, we read: Since it is necessary, both to the doctrine of the Categories of Aristotle, and to the formation of definitions, and in short, to those things which pertain to division and demonstration, to know what Genus and Difference, Species, Peculiarity, and Accident are; and since also the theory of these is useful: In a summary way, I will briefly endeavour to discuss for you, in the form, as it were, of an Introduction, what has been delivered on this subject by the ancients. In this opening sentence, Porphyry identifies for us the … Continue

Understanding the Five Predicables in Porphyry’s Introduction (Isagoge)

by

This page provides a detailed explanation of the five predicables as taught in Porphyry’s Introduction. This work is also referred to by its Greek name, Isagoge. What are the Five Predicables? In his Introduction, Porphyry proposes five fundamental ways in which something may be predicated of a subject. These are called the five predicables: Genus, Species, Difference, Peculiarity, and Accident. These distinctions are necessary for understanding how things are defined and how they are related to one another in logical reasoning. When we ask what a thing is, what kind of thing it is, or what belongs to it, we … Continue

Lecture on Aristotle’s Ethics – Book I, Chapter 06

by

Note: The following text is a direct transcription of the spoken lecture above. Welcome to the Classical Liberal Arts Academy. This lecture is intended for students enrolled in the Academy’s Philosophy 311, Classical Ethics course. If you’re not enrolled and would like to join us for self-paced studies, please visit classicalliberalarts.com. My name is William C. Michael. I’m the Academy headmaster, and I’ll be leading this study. Prelection The subject of this lesson is Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Book One, Chapter Six. This chapter is a very difficult chapter for most students because it examines the question of whether there is … Continue

Choosing between Standard and Premium Tuition

by

Families who enroll in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy are offered two modes of participation in the course of study: Standard Tuition and Premium Tuition. Both provide access to the full CLAA curriculum, but they differ in the manner in which that curriculum is pursued. The distinction is not one of content, but of guidance. Standard Tuition for Independent Study The Standard Tuition plan is designed for independent study. Students are given full access to all courses, assessments, and records, and parents oversee the daily work of their children. This arrangement serves families who are confident in directing their studies … Continue

Video Lectures Being Published

by

The Classical Liberal Arts Academy will be adding many video lectures prepared to support students in the study of the classical Catholic curriculum. These lectures are designed to explain the content of course lessons in a clear and orderly manner, so that students may not only complete their assignments, but also understand challenging concepts as they study master texts in th seven liberal arts, philosophy, theology and the humanities. The purpose of these lectures is to provide students with clear and faithful explanations of their lessons, so that they may understand the content in an orderly and complete way. Each … Continue

CLAA Curriclum Development System

by

A look behind the scenes at how work is getting done in the CLAA. The Classical Liberal Arts Academy is engaged in a work of uncommon scope and importance: the construction of a complete course of studies in the classical Catholic tradition. This is not a matter of assembling a few isolated courses, but of building an ordered curriculum that leads the student from the first elements of language and reasoning to the highest studies of philosophy and sacred theology. Such a task requires not only learning and devotion, but also careful organization, lest the work become irregular or incomplete. … Continue

The Absurdity of Modern Mathematics

by

Mathematicians argue that negative numbers exist because they can serve as square roots for positive quantities. A screenshot of the OpenStax Algebra textbook above (the most widely used textboook in the world) provides an example of this teaching. This is fed to kids in schools and they drink it in as normal. This idea, however, was opposed for many years by philosophers who denied that it was possible for negative quantities to exist. This provides us with an opportunity to ask, “What, exactly, are we learning in modern Mathematics courses?” Is this truth? Or, is Mathematics some sort of “Trojan … Continue

Special Offers for Family, Annual Enrollment

by

As we enter enrollment season in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we are happy to continue to offer several special enrollment options. Discounted Family Plans If you are enrolling more than three students in the Academy, you may be able to save by enrolling under our Family plans instead of individual Student plans. Discounted Annual Plans If you are committed to studies in the Academy, you can save by purchasing an annual enrollment rather than a monthly subscription. We offer two free months with annual enrollments. Please note that all special offers are non-refundable. These offers are intended for committed … Continue

The Greek Origin of Liberal Education

by

This article provides a helpful explanation of the development of the seven liberal arts, based on the chapter on that subject in Thomas Davidson’s Aristotle and Ancient Educational Ideals. The tradition of the seven liberal arts did not arise in ancient Greece as a fixed or formal system, but developed gradually from a more unified understanding of education. This history is explained in my book Understanding Classical Catholic Education. In its earliest form, Greek culture recognized two principal branches of training: gymnastics for the body and music for the soul. Yet the Greek conception of “music” was far broader than … Continue