Dear friends,
Tomorrow, I am scheduled to meet with a representative from Cognia, which is the largest educational accreditation agency in America. I believe that I am able to present the mission and methods of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy in a way that would allow us to maintain our commitment to classical Catholic studies, while also gaining for our students the benefits (even if merely psychological) of having the Academy "accredited".
I am not interested in moving towards modern educational methods in any way, nor do I think I will be asked to do so. We do not need to be accredited, nor do I believe any modern recommendations will prove more effective than what the ancients have left us. I believe that my willingness to communicate respectfully and to collaborate professionally with the accreditation agency will make a way for us to obtain accreditation. If, at any point, I felt that accreditation would draw me away from our mission, I would have no interest in moving forward.
I must admit that I am eager to pursue this to prove that there is no excuse for modern Catholic schools or homeschools to avoid classical Catholic studies because of "accreditation". I look forward to going through this process on behalf of the Academy and will share what I learn as I do so.
I ask you to pray that the Lord would allow me to "be innocent as a dove but shrewd as a serpent" in these matters and, with His help, obtain for our students what benefits are justly deserved. I'm very comfortable in these matters and am optimistic because I rarely have met with anything but enthusiastic support from such groups.
God bless,
Mr. William C. Michael
Classical Liberal Arts Academy