The Ascension Classical Academy
The Ascension Classical Academy is an educational resource in the Five Cities area of California’s central coast, providing classes and/or tutoring for families looking for a richer education for their children than what is typically available. We have expertise in a variety of middle and high-school level classes (see below), and also can help students to improve reading/writing/thinking skills. Finally, we can provide classes in less common subjects such as Logic, Latin, and Music/Chorus.
Eventually we aspire to grow into the premier day-school in the area. We have the vision and the know-how but lack the most important piece - you! Please reach out so that we can begin exploring how we can partner together to bring greater depth and excellence to your children's education.
Amice, Ascende Superius
Available Subjects
Mathematics
- Pre-algebra / Algebra I, II
- Geometry
- Trigonometry / Pre-calculus
- AP Calculus
Science
- Astronomy / Space-technology
- Biology
- Physics
- Chemistry
English / Literature
- Composition / Literature / Grammar
- Formal Logic
- Latin
- Classical Rhetoric
Who We Are
The Ascension Classical Academy is a ministry of Christ the King Anglican Church in Grover Beach, California, a religious non-profit corporation. We recognize that many parents, for a variety of reasons, are looking for alternatives to the standard public education. Whatever their individual reasons may be, it is safe to say that these families believe that they can provide a better education for their children through homeschooling or other non-traditional educational options, and we, at The Ascension Classical Academy, desire to help them fulfill that challenging goal.
Our Mission
The mission of Ascension Academy is to cultivate in our students a desire for wisdom, a delight in creation, and a devotion to the Creator, that in knowing God and His world, they may serve Him and their fellow man with compassion, virtue, and strength.
Our Leadership
Rev. Kent Bartel
Math and Science
Fr. Bartel is a Cal Poly graduate and has worked in aerospace engineering for most of his career. For the past 16 years, he worked at Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, where he designed rocket engines and components. His main project at SpaceX has been the Raptor engine, designed to one day take humans to Mars. Prior to joining SpaceX, Fr. Bartel worked as a propulsion design engineer for Rocketdyne, a division of Boeing at the time.
From 2004 – 2008, he was assistant headmaster at St. Andrew’s Academy in Lake Almanor, CA. In November 2022, he became vicar at Christ the King Anglican Church in Grover Beach. Fr. Bartel has a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Cal Poly, an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from USC, and an M.Div. from Cranmer Theological House, the seminary of the Diocese of Mid-America of the Reformed Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Allison Bartel
Humanities
Mrs. Bartel has a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Culture from New St. Andrew’s College in Moscow, ID, and a Masters in Professional Counseling from Amberton University in Garland, Texas. She has twenty-one years of teaching experience, beginning with St. Andrew’s Academy in Lake Almanor, CA, and later at The St. Timothy School in Dallas, TX. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. Besides part-time teaching and counseling, Mrs. Bartel also tutors students in Latin and English.
Mrs. Evelyn Eslinger
Dean of Students and Lead Grammar Teacher
Mrs. Eslinger has a B.A. in Political Science with a Minor in Education from the University of California Irvine, and a Masters in Education from the University of California Los Angeles. She is credentialed in the state of California with a multiple subject teaching credential including a bilingual/BCLAD in Spanish, and certifications in GATE, ELD and ECE. She has twenty years of teaching experience in both public and private Christian/classical schools, most recently teaching at Christ Classical and Coastal Christian School here on the Central Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Classical Christian Education
In short, classical Christian education is the educational tradition which looks to the synthesis of classical and Christian thought as found in the middle ages in the West, as its model for education. This tradition is based upon the classic thought and texts of Greece and Rome as transformed by the Word of God, revealed in Jesus and practiced in the Church.
What is the Anglican Church?
What are your doctrinal beliefs?
I’m interested in learning more. What are the next steps?
Contact Us to Learn More
Thank you for your interest in The Ascension Classical Academy. We would love to continue the conversation about your families educational needs. Use the button below to let us know how we can help.