Last updated: 08/15/2026
In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we seek a true classical Catholic education, while simultaneously satisfying the requirements of modern education laws. As these are two separate streams of learning, they are best kept separate, with the modern requirements being completed in an efficient manner that does not crowd out the more important studies.
I. Primary Studies (Ages 6-14, Grades 1-8)
In the Catholic Church, children are said to reach the “age of Reason” around age 7, which is why the sacraments of Penance and First Communion are administered at this time. Likewise, in ancient times, a student aged 6-14 was considered a child (παις) and the “childish” education given was called paideia (παιδεια). The focus of this period in classical education was on physical development through “Gymnastics”, cultural development through Music, and academic development through Grammar. Gymnastics and Music continued throughout a student’s education and parents are encouraged to provide for these through private, local activities.
Grade K (Ages 3-6)
English Language Arts
ELA-091 Handwriting I
ELA-000 English Reading K
ELA-020 Elementary Literature K
Mathematics
MAT-051 Arithmetic I
Trivium
PTY-001 Petty School Reading
Philosophy
PHL-101 Aesop’s Fables
Theology
THL-100 Catholic Bible I
THL-011 Baltimore Catechism 0
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Grade 1 (Ages 6-7)
English Language Arts
ELA-091 Handwriting I
ELA-001 English Reading 1
ELA-100 English Spelling
ELA-021 Elementary Literature 1
Mathematics
MAT-051 Arithmetic I
Science
SCI-171 Elementary Science 1
Trivium (optional)
TRV-111 Latin Reading I
Philosophy
PHL-101 Aesop’s Fables
Theology
THL-100 Catholic Bible I
THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I
Our Grade 01 Study Planner can be used by parents to plan and track student progress. Parents can arrange for Academy staff to manage this planner with Premium Tuition enrollment.
Grade 2 (Ages 7-8)
The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 2nd grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies.
English Language Arts
ELA-091 Handwriting I
ELA-002 English Reading 2
ELA-051 English Grammar I
ELA-100 English Spelling
ELA-022 Elementary Literature 2
Mathematics
MAT-051 Arithmetic I
Science
SCI-172 Elementary Science 2
Trivium (optional)
TRV-111 Latin Reading I
Philosophy
PHL-101 Aesop’s Fables
Theology
THL-100 Catholic Bible I
THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Our Grade 02 Study Planner can be used by parents to plan and track student progress. Parents can arrange for Academy staff to manage this planner with Premium Tuition enrollment.
Grade 3 (Ages 8-9)
The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 3rd grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies.
Grade 03 English Language Arts
ELA-094 Handwriting IV
ELA-003 English Reading 3
ELA-051 English Grammar I
ELA-100 English Spelling
ELA-023 Elementary Literature 3
Grade 03 Foreign Language
TRV-120 Latin Vocabulary
TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional)
Grade 03 Mathematics
MAT-051 Arithmetic I
Grade 03 Science
SCI-173 Elementary Science 3
Grade 03 Philosophy
PHL-101 Aesop’s Fables
Grade 03 Theology
THL-100 Catholic Bible I
THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Our Grade 03 Study Planner can be used by parents to plan and track student progress. Parents can arrange for Academy staff to manage this planner with Premium Tuition enrollment.
Grade 4 (Ages 9-10)
The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 4th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies.
Grade 04 English Language Arts
ELA-094 Handwriting IV
ELA-004 English Reading 4
ELA-051 English Grammar I
ELA-151 English Grammar II (when Grammar I is complete)
ELA-100 English Spelling
ELA-024 Elementary Literature 4
Grade 04 Foreign Language
TRV-120 Latin Vocabulary
TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional)
Grade 04 Mathematics
MAT-051 Arithmetic I
MAT-151 Arithmetic II (when Arithmetic I is complete)
Grade 04 Science
SCI-174 Elementary Science 4
Grade 04 Social Studies
HUM-101 World Chronology
Grade 04 Philosophy
PHL-101 Aesop’s Fables
Grade 04 Theology
THL-100 Catholic Bible I
THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Our Grade 04 Study Planner can be used by parents to plan and track student progress. Parents can arrange for Academy staff to manage this planner with Premium Tuition enrollment.
Grade 5 (Ages 10-11)
The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 5th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies.
Grade 05 English Language Arts
ELA-005 English Reading 5
ELA-151 English Grammar II
ELA-100 English Spelling
ELA-025 Elementary Literature 5
Grade 05 Foreign Language
TRV-120 Latin Vocabulary
TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional)
Grade 05 Mathematics
MAT-151 Arithmetic II
MAT-141 Elementary Geometry
Grade 05 Science
SCI-175 Elementary Science 5
Grade 05 Social Studies
HUM-101 World Chronology
HUM-112 Elementary Geography
Grade 05 Philosophy
PHL-101 Aesop’s Fables
Grade 05 Theology
THL-100 Catholic Bible I
THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Our Grade 05 Study Planner can be used by parents to plan and track student progress. Parents can arrange for Academy staff to manage this planner with Premium Tuition enrollment.
Grade 6 (Ages 11-12)
The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 6th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies.
Grade 06 English Language Arts
ELA-006 English Reading 6
ELA-151 English Grammar II
ELA-251 English Grammar III (when Grammar II is complete)
ELA-100 English Spelling
ELA-026 Elementary Literature 6
Grade 06 Foreign Language
TRV-120 Latin Vocabulary
TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional)
Grade 06 Mathematics
MAT-151 Arithmetic II
MAT-251 Arithmetic III (when Arithmetic II is complete)
MAT-141 Elementary Geometry
Grade 06 Science
SCI-176 Elementary Science 6
Grade 06 Social Studies
HUM-101 World Chronology
HUM-112 Elementary Geography
Grade 06 Philosophy
PHL-101 Aesop’s Fables
Grade 06 Theology
THL-100 Catholic Bible I
THL-211 Baltimore Catechism II
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Our Grade 06 Study Planner can be used by parents to plan and track student progress. Parents can arrange for Academy staff to manage this planner with Premium Tuition enrollment.
Grade 7 (Ages 12-13)
The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 7th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies.
Grade 07 English Language Arts
ELA-251 English Grammar III
ELA-100 English Spelling
ELA-027 Elementary Literature 7
Grade 07 Foreign Language
TRV-120 Latin Vocabulary
TRV-111 Latin Reading I
TRV-121 Latin Grammar I (Optional)
Grade 07 Mathematics
MAT-251 Arithmetic III
MAT-351 Algebra I (when Arithmetic III is complete)
MAT-141 Elementary Geometry
Grade 07 Science
SCI-177 Elementary Science 7
Grade 07 Social Studies
HUM-101 World Chronology
HUM-212 Ancient Geography
Grade 07 Philosophy
PHL-101 Aesop’s Fables
Grade 07 Theology
THL-200 Catholic Bible II
THL-211 Baltimore Catechism II
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Our Grade 07 Study Planner can be used by parents to plan and track student progress. Parents can arrange for Academy staff to manage this planner with Premium Tuition enrollment.
Grade 8 (Ages 13-14)
The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 8th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies.
Grade 08 English Language Arts
ELA-251 English Grammar III
ELA-100 English Spelling
ELA-028 Elementary Literature 8
Grade 08 Foreign Language
TRV-120 Latin Vocabulary
TRV-111 Latin Reading I
TRV-121 Latin Grammar I (Optional)
Grade 08 Mathematics
MAT-251 Arithmetic III
MAT-351 Algebra I (when Arithmetic III is complete)
MAT-141 Elementary Geometry
Grade 08 Science
SCI-201 Introduction to Science
Grade 08 Social Studies
HUM-101 World Chronology
HUM-212 Ancient Geography
Grade 08 Philosophy
PHL-101 Aesop’s Fables
Grade 08 Theology
THL-200 Catholic Bible II
THL-211 Baltimore Catechism II
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Our Grade 08 Study Planner can be used by parents to plan and track student progress. Parents can arrange for Academy staff to manage this planner with Premium Tuition enrollment.
II. Secondary Studies (Ages 14-18, Grades 9-12)
Historically, age 14 was recognized as the time when a boy (παις) became a lad (μειρακιον), and his education advanced to a new level until he became a young man (ἐφηβος) at age 18. It was at this time, age 14, that King Philip of Macedon arranged for Aristotle to tutor his son, Alexander. In the Catholic Church, we find the sacrament of Confirmation taking place at this time. In medieval times, students could move to the University at this time. Academically, a student needs to take responsibility for his own studies, and work as hard as possible to make year-round progress.
Grade 9 (Ages 14-15)
The following courses satisfy modern 9th grade requirements and add opportunities for rigorous classical Catholic study.
Grade 09 English Language Arts
ELA-301 English Composition I
ELA-251 English Grammar III
HUM-321 Classical Greek Literature
Grade 09 Foreign Language
TRV-111 Latin Reading I
TRV-121 Latin Grammar I
Grade 09 Mathematics
MAT-351 Algebra I
Grade 09 Science
SCI-301 Modern Biology (OS)
Grade 09 Social Studies
HUM-301 World History
Grade 09 Trivium
TRV-351 Classical Logic
TRV-361 Classical Rhetoric
Grade 09 Quadrivium
QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic
QRV-321 Classical Geometry
Grade 09 Philosophy
PHL-311 Classical Ethics
PHL-321 Classical Physics
PHL-331 Classical Metaphysics
Grade 09 Theology
THL-351+ Sacred Scripture
THL-451+ Catechism of the Catholic Church
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Grade 10 (Ages 15-16)
The following courses can be used to satisfy modern 10th grade requirements and provide for rigorous classical Catholic study.
Grade 10 English Language Arts
ELA-301 English Composition I
ELA-251 English Grammar III
HUM-322 Roman Literature
Grade 10 Foreign Language
TRV-211 Latin Reading II
TRV-221 Latin Grammar II
Grade 10 Mathematics
MAT-341 Intermediate Algebra (OS)
Grade 10 Science
SCI-302 Modern Physics (OS)
Grade 10 Social Studies
HUM-301 World History
Grade 10 Trivium
TRV-351 Classical Logic
TRV-361 Classical Rhetoric
Grade 10 Quadrivium
QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic
QRV-321 Classical Geometry
Grade 10 Philosophy
PHL-311 Classical Ethics
PHL-321 Classical Physics
PHL-331 Classical Metaphysics
Grade 10 Theology
THL-351+ Sacred Scripture
THL-451+ Catechism of the Catholic Church
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Grade 11 (Ages 16-17)
The following courses can be used to satisfy modern 11th grade requirements and provide for rigorous classical Catholic study.
Grade 11 English Language Arts
ELA-302 English Composition II
ELA-251 English Grammar III
HUM-323 English Literature
Grade 11 Foreign Language
TRV-311 Latin Reading III
TRV-321 Latin Grammar III
Grade 11 Mathematics
MAT-411 Pre-Calculus (OS)
Grade 11 Science
SCI-403 Modern Chemistry (OS)
Grade 11 Social Studies
HUM-311 American History
Grade 11 Trivium
TRV-351 Classical Logic
TRV-361 Classical Rhetoric
Grade 11 Quadrivium
QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic
QRV-321 Classical Geometry
Grade 11 Philosophy
PHL-311 Classical Ethics
PHL-321 Classical Physics
PHL-331 Classical Metaphysics
Grade 11 Theology
THL-351+ Sacred Scripture
THL-451+ Catechism of the Catholic Church
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
Grade 12 (Ages 17-18)
The following courses can be used to satisfy modern 12th grade requirements and provide for rigorous classical Catholic study.
Grade 12 English Language Arts
ELA-302 English Composition II
ELA-251 English Grammar III
HUM-324 American Literature
Grade 12 Foreign Language
TRV-311 Latin Reading III
TRV-321 Latin Grammar III
Grade 12 Mathematics
MAT-441 Calculus I
Grade 12 Science
SCI-404 Modern Astronomy (OS)
— or —
SCI-405 Anatomy & Physiology (OS)
Grade 12 Social Studies
HUM-421 American Government
Grade 12 Trivium
TRV-351 Classical Logic
TRV-361 Classical Rhetoric
Grade 12 Quadrivium
QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic
QRV-321 Classical Geometry
Grade 12 Philosophy
PHL-311 Classical Ethics
PHL-321 Classical Physics
PHL-331 Classical Metaphysics
Grade 12 Theology
THL-351+ Sacred Scripture
THL-451+ Catechism of the Catholic Church
THL-151 Lives of the Saints
III. Adult Studies (Ages 18+)
Adult students are welcome to study all courses at levels 100 and above. To get started, we recommend the following courses.
Recommended Courses for Adults
- 01-TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Core)
The CLAA’s 01-TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Core) course teaches students to read the Gospel of St. John in Latin. Designed for beginners, this course focuses on building foundational Latin reading skills through the study of sacred Scripture. Students learn vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure while exploring the profound text of the Gospel. Lessons are structured to develop both fluency and comprehension, making this course an ideal introduction to Latin reading within a meaningful and classical context. - 01-TRV-371 Classical Reasoning I (Core)
The CLAA’s 01-TRV-371 Classical Reasoning I (Core) course introduces students to the foundational principles of classical logic and reasoning through the study of Porphyry’s Introduction, Aristotle’s Categories, and On Interpretation. This course explores essential topics such as the nature of universals, classification, and the structure of propositions, providing a deep understanding of logical thought in the classical tradition. Lessons are structured to develop critical thinking and analytical skills, making this course an essential foundation for advanced philosophical and theological studies. - 01-TRV-381 Classical Rhetoric (Core)
The CLAA’s 01-TRV-381 Classical Rhetoric (Core) course provides an in-depth study of Aristotle’s Rhetoric, exploring the principles and techniques of persuasive communication. This course examines the three modes of persuasion—ethos, pathos, and logos—along with the structure of arguments, the role of emotion, and the use of stylistic devices. Students learn to craft compelling speeches and analyze rhetorical strategies, developing both their critical thinking and expressive abilities. Designed for advanced students, this course is a cornerstone of classical education in the art of persuasion. - 02-QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic (Core)
The CLAA’s 02-QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic (Core) course introduces students to the first art of the quadrivium through the study of Nicomachus’ Introduction to Arithmetic. This course explores the philosophical and mathematical principles of numbers, focusing on their properties, relationships, and significance in the classical tradition. Students develop a deep understanding of arithmetic as both a practical discipline and a foundation for the other liberal arts. Designed for dedicated learners, this course emphasizes the harmony and order inherent in mathematical study. - 03-PHL-311 Aristotle, Ethics (Core)
The CLAA’s 03-PHL-311 Aristotle, Ethics (Core) course offers an in-depth study of Aristotle’s exploration of human virtue and the pursuit of the good life as presented in his Nicomachean Ethics. This course examines topics such as happiness, virtue, moral responsibility, friendship, and the role of reason in ethical decision-making. Students engage with Aristotle’s systematic approach to ethics, gaining insights into the principles of virtuous living and character formation. Designed for advanced learners, this course provides a profound foundation in classical moral philosophy. - 04-THL-321 Summa Theologica I (Core)
The CLAA’s 04-THL-321 Summa Theologica I (Core) course provides a thorough study of the first part of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. This course explores foundational topics in Catholic theology, including the nature of God, the Trinity, creation, angels, and humanity’s relationship with the divine. Students engage with Aquinas’ systematic reasoning and theological insights, gaining a profound understanding of key doctrines of the Catholic faith. Designed for advanced learners, this course offers a solid foundation in classical theology and prepares students for deeper studies in philosophy and theology.
On Study and Adult Responsibility
Classical study cannot be approached as a casual interest. For adults, success depends on establishing a deliberate and orderly life–living according to a rule that serves a clear end. Study must become a regular (i.e., by the rule) activity within the structure of daily responsibilities, including family, work, health, and religious obligations.
This requires that time be taken from other forms of leisure and redirected toward study. While modern entertainment offers passive diversion, classical education offers intellectual engagement. The time available is limited; adults must choose how to use it. Study should become the principal form of adult leisure. An hour of concentrated study each day, consistently maintained, will yield meaningful progress over time. The gains of classical study will come from consistent study over a long period of time.
Practical Recommendations for Adults
- Establish a Daily Study Routine: Set aside a fixed time each day for study.
- Work in a Quiet Space: A dedicated location, free from distraction, supports sustained attention.
- Maintain Order in Other Duties: Study does not excuse negligence in family or professional life. Duties must be kept in order.
- Keep an Ongoing Journal of Studies: Keep a record of readings, definitions, questions, and observations. This supports retention and reflection.
- Review Regularly: Revisit earlier material to reinforce knowledge and identify progress. Retaking quizzes provides an excellent means of review.
- Communicate: Post questions and comments on the course forums in the Academy Study Center. There is fellowship available for this journey.
- Be Patient: True learning is accomplished through formal study combined with life experience. Take your time and aim to be a wise old man who can be useful to others later in life.
