How to Select Courses

The modern K-12 grade level system never existed in world history before the public schools were created in the 1850s and must be abandoned if students are to pursue a classical Catholic curriculum. Nevertheless, understanding that schools and parents looking at the Classical Liberal Arts Academy curriculum will do so with the K-12 model in mind, we offer the following course recommendations based loosely on that model.  This should not be interpreted as an approval of that model, but only as a help to those learning about true classical Catholic education. 

Costs of Study

In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, no books need to purchased. All necessary study materials are provided online. Our subscription plans cover all the costs of study.

  • Student Plan ($25 per month) – provide 1 student with access to all courses and online assessments. Support is available by email and on the course Student Forums.
  • Family Plan ($100 per month) – provide Student Plan access for all members of the family (parents included).
  • Premium Student Plan ($100 per month) – provide Student Plan access for one student plus weekly chat meeting, task planning, prioritized assignment grading and live chat support.
  • Premium Family Plan ($250 per month) – provide Premium Student Plan access for all members of the family.

To enroll, simply follow the instructions on the Academy Study Center.

Live Support

While Live Chat is normally reserved for our premium students, parents who need help selecting courses are free to use live chat to ask enrollment questions. Simply click on the “Live Chat” button in the bottom right corner of the website to chat live with Mr. Michael for expert help with enrollment questions.

Course Recommendations

I.  Early Elementary (Level 000 Courses)

The goal of the early elementary years is for children to learn to study independently, that they may begin classical studies in the upper elementary years.  This requires that students learn to read, write, type, memorize mathematical facts, develop routines of prayer and study, etc.

Pre-K/K (Ages 3-6)

  1. Petty School Reading
  2. Petty School Writing
  3. Petty School Arithmetic

Grade 1 (Ages 6-7)

  1. English Reading
  2. Handwriting
  3. Modern Arithmetic I
  4. Aesop’s Fables (Reading)
  5. Baltimore Catechism I

Grade 2 (Ages 7-8)

  1. English Reading
  2. Handwriting
  3. Elementary Grammar
  4. Modern Arithmetic I
  5. Aesop’s Fables (Reading)
  6. Baltimore Catechism I

II.  Upper Elementary (Level 100 Courses)

At the upper elementary level, students move into true classical studies, getting started with classical Grammar, Latin reading, etc.

Grade 3 (Ages 8-9)

  1. Elementary Grammar
  2. Latin Reading I
  3. Modern Arithmetic II
  4. Aesop’s Fables
  5. Baltimore Catechism I
  6. Daily Scripture Reading
  7. World Chronology

Grade 4 (Ages 9-10)

  1. Elementary Grammar
  2. Latin Reading I
  3. Latin Vocabulary
  4. Modern Arithmetic II
  5. Aesop’s Fables
  6. Baltimore Catechism I
  7. Daily Scripture Reading
  8. World Chronology

Grade 5 (Ages 10-11)

  1. Elementary Grammar
  2. Latin Reading I
  3. Latin Vocabulary
  4. Modern Arithmetic III
  5. Aesop’s Fables
  6. Baltimore Catechism II
  7. Daily Scripture Reading
  8. World Chronology

III.  Middle School  (Level 200 Courses)

In the middle school years, students should be progressing steadily in classical studies, improving their comprehension and communication skills, putting them in prime position for the greatest possible achievement in the high school years.

Grade 6 (Ages 11-12)

  1. Classical Grammar
  2. English Composition
  3. Latin Reading I
  4. Latin Vocabulary
  5. Modern Arithmetic III
  6. Aesop’s Fables
  7. Baltimore Catechism II
  8. Daily Scripture Reading
  9. World Chronology

Grade 7 (Ages 12-13)

  1. Classical Grammar
  2. English Composition
  3. Latin Reading I
  4. Modern Arithmetic III or IV
  5. Aesop’s Fables
  6. Baltimore Catechism II
  7. Sacred Scripture I
  8. World Chronology

Grade 8 (Ages 13-14)

  1. English Composition
  2. Latin Grammar I
  3. Latin Reading I
  4. Modern Arithmetic III or IV
  5. Aesop’s Fables
  6. Baltimore Catechism II or III
  7. Sacred Scripture I or II
  8. World Chronology

IV.  High School (Level 300-400 Courses)

In the high school years, students must immerse themselves in the most rigorous course of studies possible.  For students preparing for admission to selective universities, four years of English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Natural Science and History are necessary.  Catholic students must complete these studies in the most efficient manner possible, in a program into which classical Catholic studies are integrated.  It is better for Catholic students to continue their classical Catholic studies beyond age 18 and delay college admission, than to go without them into college and career studies. These courses develop and demand mature comprehension and communication skills.

Grade 9 (Ages 14-15)

  1. English Composition*
  2. Classical Grammar*
  3. Latin Grammar*
  4. Latin Reading*
  5. Classical Reasoning
  6. Classical Arithmetic
  7. Algebra I*
  8. Moral Philosophy
  9. Natural Philosophy
  10. Biology*
  11. Sacred Scripture
  12. Catechism/Summa
  13. World History*
  14. English Literature*

* Included in CLAA High School Diploma program.

Grade 10 (Age 15-16)

  1. English Composition*
  2. Classical Grammar*
  3. Latin Grammar*
  4. Latin Reading*
  5. Classical Reasoning
  6. Classical Geometry
  7. Plane Geometry (Modern)*
  8. Moral Philosophy
  9. Natural Philosophy
  10. Modern Physics*
  11. Sacred Scripture
  12. Catechism/Summa
  13. World History*
  14. English Literature*

* Included in CLAA High School Diploma program.

Grade 11 (Ages 16-17)

  1. English Composition
  2. Latin Grammar
  3. Latin Reading
  4. Classical Reasoning
  5. Classical Rhetoric
  6. Classical Geometry
  7. Moral Philosophy
  8. Natural Philosophy
  9. Sacred Scripture
  10. Catechism/Summa
  11. World History
  12. English Literature

Grade 12 (Ages 17-18)

  1. English Composition
  2. Latin Grammar
  3. Latin Reading
  4. Classical Reasoning
  5. Classical Rhetoric
  6. Classical Geometry
  7. Moral Philosophy
  8. Natural Philosophy
  9. Sacred Scripture
  10. Catechism/Summa
  11. World History
  12. English Literature

High School Transcript

If a student in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy wishes to apply for admission to a college, university, religious community or other institution, we recommend that the classical Catholic curriculum not be communicated simple because it will not be understood outside the CLAA.  We recommend that the student’s academic work be communicated in terms these institutions will understand, using a modern 4-year high school arrangement.