ACA's Educational Vision

Christian School. Augustine Classical Academy is first a Christian School. We teach and uphold our statement of faith and traditional Christian morality. We believe the Holy Scriptures are the divinely inspired word of God.

ACA warmly welcomes families of other faiths but asks that all families respect its distinctive Christian identity. In all instruction we are respectful of other faiths while humbly maintaining the truths of our Christian faith.

Classical School. Augustine Classical Academy is a Classical School. One of the most valuable developments of western civilization, classical education utilizes traditional liberal arts as a means of instilling wisdom and virtue in our students. Our liberal arts curriculum is delivered by way of the “Trivium,” a word that describes three modes of learning: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Grammar is concerned with the basic facts, rules and required skills of any given subject. Logic involves learning to think and reason in the language of various subjects. Rhetoric requires students to express their thoughts in a compelling and persuasive manner.

Classical education is fundamentally about the cultivation of wisdom and virtue. It employs a time-tested approach to provide students with the tools for a lifetime of learning. High academic standards allow students to rise to their God-given potential. Our vision reaches beyond teaching children what to think; we also teach them how to think. In the tradition of western civilization, education and classical education have always been synonymous.

Classical education can be distinguished from modern education, in that it does not neglect the important first step of giving students the tools for both intellectual development and for understanding their western, Christian heritage.

Traditional School. Augustine Classical Academy is a traditional school. Although schools have tried many experimental innovations, few have been able to duplicate the success of the traditional classroom.

In a traditional classroom, a knowledgeable, enthusiastic teacher carefully leads students into an understanding of each subject. Classrooms are quiet, orderly, and disciplined. Lessons are incremental, content is age appropriate, and students learn the important skill of quality written work completed in a timely manner. Homework is moderate and is for the purpose of practicing and preparing for a lesson. The traditional classroom is consistent with human nature, and the experience of many centuries has demonstrated its superior quality to the modern child-centered classroom.