Need Advice on Choosing Classical Education (Founder's Classical Academy)

Isn't it a concern for you that during its "information session" the school representatives themselves did not answer this question? Did they assume everyone in the room knew what they meant? Did you ask them? It's fine to do your independent research, but shouldn't the school be able to explain its educational approach to you in detail? If they can't explain it so anyone can understand it, how can they teach it?

If you're simply worried about being embarrassed to say "I don't know what you really mean by 'classical education,'" please don't be embarrassed. If the school's representatives make you feel small or act sniffy when you say that -- well, ask yourself if it's really the place for your son and your family.

I believe that a classical education is wonderful. My daughter is receiving a classical education, at home, through an excellent online school. She is definitely flourishing...and here is a contrasting example for you.

My child JUST turned seven, is technically in first grade, but allowed to work at her own pace through her courses so she is just finishing 2nd grade math and language arts (1st grade in science, history, art, and music.) In her first grade history class, they learned in depth about different ancient cultures in the East, including Greece, Egypt, India, and China, as well as other subjects. We were talking with my stepdaughter, who is in third grade and a private Catholic school, and she doesn't "have" history yet, according to her. Really?!?!?

I found lots of info in a google search, below is an article that explains it well. Just be sure it's the kind of education you want for your child. My kids have gone to charter schoosl with inquiry based and child led learning their whole lives and switching them to a regular public school when they were younger would not have been easy.

When you are looking at different curriculums keep in mind you child's tempermant and personality. I think the school should fit the child and the family. For us years of rote memorization would not have worked. I think my kids would have become bored or turned off at an early age but I'm sure it works well for some kids.

Good for you for looking into alternative education for your child at a time when regular public school is failing so many. If you find the right fit it's amazing how you child will excell. Both my girls are A students and they actually really like school, imagine that.

The oldest is heading to one of the best high schools in the state next year with all honors classes and into the second highest Spanish class they offer, our choices in early education were right on. She is very well prepared for the next phase of her life!

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/classical-education/

classical education is generally more systematic than the rather throw-it-all-at-the-wall attempts most public schools have resorted to in recent decades. a classical education will probably have a lot of rote memorization (think the whole class chanting times tables as they did in the dark ages, my day) and learning rules and facts during the early years, the 'sponge' years. then the concepts of abstract thought are introduced, taking the building blocks that were laid in the early years and applying them in a logistical fashion. now they're moving into cause and effect, WHY the math rules they memorized can be applied in such a huge variety of ways, how to use correct grammar to create a well-thought out debate position, why wars occurred instead of just THAT they occurred, that sort of thing. and this phase leads naturally into a high school student who is able to think originally and independently, and use clear logic and well-written papers to present and defend his ideas. this is also when kids start to specialize, to figure out which direction they want to take their ongoing education because despite what we're told in public schools, a well-rounded education does not and cannot mean 'everything.'
i'm glad your child is headed in this direction. for the most part i think classical education is a great model.
so, of course, is totally child-led education.
it's the huge mish-mash in the middle that seems to be failing us so dismally.
khairete
S.

My daughter is at Vista in Carrollton and all I can say is she is flourishing. She is in 2nd grade this year and reading at a 6th grade level. We did Montessori through kindergarten and then public school for 1st. I absolutely did not like the public school option. They were incredibly unresponsive and were unable to cater to her strengths. Vista assesses each child at the beginning of the year and then works with them on their level. I have loved it. The social studies projects have been engaging, they do science experiments in class, the math is very hands on and applied. I can't say enough about how much better the knowledge base is.

My son is going straight into Vista from Montessori Kindergarten next year and I know he learns differently so I will see if it works for him as well. I don't know if this answers your question, but I can say I love Vista and would strongly recommend their program to anyone who asked.

Good luck!
A.