Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
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.
Essential elements of Classical Christian Education include:
- Biblical worldview: God is the Creator of man and the universe, but through disobedience to God, man became corrupted by sin and alienated from God. In Christ Jesus, God became human, and through His Ministry, Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension, Christ restores fellowship and union between man and God. Those who lovingly serve Jesus in this life will receive the fullness of joy through union with God in the next.
- The Goal of Education: To provide an environment and structure for self-centered humans to grow into Christ-centered maturity. This is a liberating education which stands in contrast with the servile mindset so predominant in most education today, to “Get a good job.” Virtuous adults indeed will be contributing members of society, but that goal is derivative of the primary goal.
- The Tools of Education: We study God’s revelation – both general revelation given to all in Creation and special revelation given to the Church in the Holy Bible – to learn about the physical world, humanity’s role in it, and our duties to God and neighbor. As part of this, we look to the best that has been thought and said throughout the ages to facilitate discussion and to more fully develop understanding.
What is the Anglican Church?
The Anglican Church is the Christian Church that originates in Britain. The original Christian presence there began in the first century, soon after Christ ascended into heaven. Building upon these ancient roots, the identity of the modern Anglican Church was uniquely honed during the English Reformation of the 1500’s, and is therefore uniquely both re-formed and catholic. It is often seen as a “middle way” between Protestant and Catholic; however, as one writer has it, “not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth.”
Distinctives of Anglicanism:
- Liturgical – we worship using ancient and beautiful forms and prayers.
- Eucharistic – the Holy Communion is the central rite of our worship following the pattern in the early church.
- Catholic – In the words of the Vincentian canon, We strive to believe that, “which was believed everywhere [ubique], always [semper], and by all [ab omnibus].”
- Evangelical – We believe the gospel, we proclaim the gospel, and we desire that all men should come to saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why is The Ascension Classical Academy affiliated with a denomination?
First, there is the practical matter that as a religious organization, we enjoy some of the protections of religious freedoms in our State and Country. Second, we acknowledge that all organizations have theological and philosophical commitments. We choose to be explicit about ours, so that all who participate with us know where our commitments lie.
What is particularly good about being an Anglican school?
Here are a few answers:
- Anglicanism appeals to the historic traditions of the Church, and classical education also appeals to historic thought, both biblical and pagan. An older idea of education fits extremely well within an older form of Christianity.
- The school year is organized around the great feasts and fasts of the Church. Students learn about the full Church calendar which brings an experiential depth of knowledge and discipleship into all aspects of the school.
- The Anglican tradition of morning and evening prayer beautifully bookends each day and provides a depth of spiritual formation that is generally lacking in most Christian schools.
- Beauty is not merely subjective, and therefore we seek consistent exposure of the school community to what is True, what is Good, and what is Beautiful. The beauty of Anglican tradition subtly, yet significantly, shapes the affections and aesthetic values of students, teachers, and the whole educational community.
Are you affiliated with other schools or organizations?
Yes. We rely heavily upon our sister schools, our educational association, and the treasury of books and articles that have been recently written about CCE (see the resources page). We are in process of becoming a member of the Anglican Schools Association and we are blessed to have mentor schools with whom we consult as needed, particularly St. Andrew’s Academy, Canterbury School, St. Timothy’s School, and Good Shepherd School.
I went to public school, and I feel like I received a fine education. Why should I not send my kids to public schools as well?
This question reveals two fundamental presuppositions: first, that education is primarily a values-neutral transfer of facts and information from teacher to student; and second, that the schools today are the same as even a quarter-century ago.
Let us begin by honestly acknowledging that education is far more than transfer of information. It is a transfer of the entirety of a culture - traditions, norms, values, religion, meaning, and aspirations. Schools and teachers shape students' cultural imaginations. Whether by the curriculum they choose, the facts they present, or how they present those facts, they communicate a view of life, of morality, of religion to the student body, even when they never mention those things. And since education is synonymous with enculturation, there is no such thing as a values-neutral education. All education teaches something about God, even (or especially) when not naming Him. A school, for example, that treats all religions as the same communicates the message that no religion is actually true, and therefore that there is no God. Such a school produces atheists while not acknowledging Atheism itself as a religion. This is all being done under the guise of neutrality.
As schools have increasingly become anti-religious over the last 50 years, they have been instilling a suspicion of Christianity into our students. (We are speaking, of course, of the whole system, not necessarily each specific teacher within the whole.) And this is not even addressing the declining state of academic standards in most of our country’s schools.
So as Christian parents and educators, who seem to have come through this system unscathed, we can no longer be satisfied with public education in our country. And we must not make the fatal mistake of looking back upon our own experience with nostalgia and desiring that experience for our children while ignoring the spiritual dangers that an anti-christian education poses. We are responsible to God to provide the best education and spiritual formation possible for our children.
What characteristics would such an education have? It would be build upon the reality of God and God’s creation. It would present students with a thorough understanding of the content, history, evidence, philosophy, and implications of their faith, in every subject they study. It would provide structures to encourage spiritual disciplines and discipleship. Christian schools exist which provide "safe" alternatives to public education, but such schools often do not prepare students philosophically for the anti-Christian hostility they will encounter during their collegiate/adult careers, nor provide the depth of discipleship required to face life's challenges.
We can and must do better in the formation of our children, but please do not receive this exhortation as a condemnation of any family or school in particular. God grant us all the grace to do the best we can with the resources and limitations we have. Let this rather be an encouragement to explore the riches of our received educational inheritance to best prepare our children for lives of Christian excellence.
What are your admission requirements and standards of behavior?
Admissions
We do not currently have an admissions test, but all students will be evaluated to determine the proper level of instruction and class content. Having limited staff may mean that we are not able to accommodate everyone’s needs at present. We are also not able to accommodate students with marked learning disabilities or with persistently disruptive behavior issues.
We do not require assent to a statement of faith to attend The Ascension Classical School, but we are an explicitly religious institution. Thus we require students and families to adhere to traditional Christian standards of behavior and to participate in school events which typically include Bible readings, prayers, and traditional hymns and chants. As we are currently structured, events outside of classes will be minimal. Students and families are encouraged to participate in the daily offices of morning and evening prayer, particularly when they occur just before or after an attended class.
Student Conduct
Students should comport themselves with dignity, and show respect for all teachers, parents, other adults, and fellow students. Cheerful obedience to instructions is the expectation. Timeliness in attendance and assignment completion is the standard. Late work is not acceptable. Learning faithfulness and diligence is as important as learning subject matter. Plagiarism, excessive help from others, or use of A.I. applications is grounds for dismissal. In classes and institutions such as these, it makes no sense to take shortcuts. The Ascension Classical Academy is primarily about spiritual formation and intellectual growth, and thus cheating, in all forms, undermines both of these goals.
Cell phones for students are strictly forbidden on campus. Parents may call or text instructors in case of emergency.
Dress Code
As we are currently structured, we do not require uniforms, but instead we do have a dress code. Males are asked to wear collared shirts, and pants or shorts that are not denim. Females must wear collared blouses with knee-length or longer skirts or dresses. Clothing with printed graphics are not allowed. Sneakers, tennis shoes, and open-toed shoes are not allowed. The administration has final say as to the appropriateness of dress. Students may be counseled to refrain from wearing a particular item of clothing for future classes or may be dismissed for repeated infractions of the dress code.
What classes are you offering? What are the costs? What is your calendar?
At this point, our class offerings will be tailored to the needs of those parents who show interest in participating with us. If you are not sure where to start, then contact us so that we can begin the conversation.
Institution Costs
As a new institution, we desire to keep costs minimal in order to encourage families to try us out. At the same time, free things are generally not taken seriously. A financial commitment, even though minimal, brings with it a certain level of academic commitment as well. As such, these are our monthly class fees:
- 1 Class: $100/ month
- 2 Classes: $165/month
- 3 Classes: $200/month
Beyond this, we would need to discuss operating as a full-time day school. These prices are set to be accessible for any parent who takes the education of their children seriously. $100 is approximately the cost of taking a family of four to a nice dinner, and private tutoring currently runs at least $75/hour so these prices are relatively affordable.
Academy Calendar
Classes generally will meet two times per week on a trimester system (a Fall term, a Winter term, and a Spring term) and the school calendar will be organized around the major seasons and holidays of the Church – Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Ascension, and the Summer Trinity season.
I’m interested in learning more and possibly signing up for classes. What are the next steps?
Please reach out to us! We would love to get to know you in person to discuss your family’s situation and needs. You can fill out the contact form or email us with your name and phone number, and a little about your situation, and we will arrange a mutually agreeable time for a meeting.
Contact Us to Learn More
Thank you for your interest in The Ascension Classical Academy. We hope that you find this to be a refreshing and hopeful beginning, and that you will want this education for your children.