OVERVIEW
The Classical Academy was established in 2018 as a PreK - 12 community serving families on the north side of greater Indianapolis, and now welcomes students from a 30-mile radius.  Following a classical and Christian philosophy and methodology in a university-schedule framework, The Academy fills a unique niche in our area by meeting the needs of a diverse population united in the belief that teachers should lead students’ education while keeping parents vitally involved. Our program is rigorous and emphasizes How to think over What to think. The Academy is a member of the Association of Classical & Christian Schools, and will be accredited by ACCS in 2024 with the graduation of our first upcoming senior class.

DEFINITION AND DIFFERENTIATION
As a classical school, The Academy practices a method that has been tested since ancient times, one that is highly Socratic and depends on interactive conversation to spur student interest and inspire new thoughts. The student is expected to employ principles of sound logic and persuasive rhetoric as he or she is an active participant in the educational process.  Passivity is not allowed as excellence is intentional!

As a Christian school, The Academy is committed to a Biblical worldview which acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord over all of life.  Our school culture and policies are rooted in the belief that God’s word is the divinely-inspired standard for faith and practice, and we honor Him, each other, and ourselves, as we pursue Godliness as true success.

As a collaborative school, The Academy recognizes the right of parents to direct their children’s education, and celebrates partnership with them. In this partnership, the school sets curriculum and employs qualified teachers to deliver it, and parents participate in their children’s at-home studies each week and engage with them far more than parents in traditional settings are able to do.

GRADES
Our narrative report cards, in addition to percentage grades, include observations of students’ strengths and offer suggestions for improvement, as well as address the growth of the whole-person learner. 

FACULTY
Our 30-person staff holds 28 bachelor degrees and seven advanced degrees. The staff works collegially, sharing ideas and co-teaching classes. Our upper school faculty have more than 90 years of combined experience in education, having taught at high school, college, and adult levels, as well as serving in leadership capacities in a number of schools, churches, and corporations, The Academy’s faculty is well-qualified for their roles as teachers and mentors.

CURRICULUM
Students in our Rhetoric School (grades 9-12) attend classes on campus three days each week, and study, write essays, and attend seminars and labs the other two days. This reflects a “university”  mindset which trains them in taking responsibility as they will in college. This also allows for efficiency in studying, in addition to allowing  parents to observe their children’s education. Students are expected to be well-prepared on the days spent onsite, having established at home a base for understanding the topics to be covered by the teacher and fully ready to participate in classroom discussions. Core classes are taught to high standards, with Calculus, Chemistry, Humanities, and Latin IV delivered at an advanced or AP level. Courses are standardized for all students, with everyone taking four years of language / rhetoric, humanities, mathematics, and science, in addition to art, economics, government, Latin, music, and spiritual development.  Students are encouraged to participate in athletics. Each student will also complete a substantial senior thesis and defend it before a qualified thesis committee.

STUDENT HONORS
Students of The Classical Academy may be acknowledged at graduation with 5 honors:

• Those who graduate with an overall average of 97% or above will be designated Summa Cum Laude and graduate with a Gold cord.
• Those who in any semester earn a GPA of 4.0 or above, will have their names placed on the Dean’s List. Those who graduate with a GPA of 93-96 will be designated Cum Laude, and graduate with a Silver cord.
• Those who complete Latin IV (Cicero/Virgil) with a grade of 90% or higher will receive Latin Honors and graduate with an Emerald cord.
• Those who are noted for performing exceptional service to the Academy or their Community will be named as Aquila or Priscilla, and graduate with a Blue cord.

STUDENT LIFE & ATHLETICS
Students at The Classical Academy have many opportunities beyond class time. Traditions include:

• Successful athletic teams, including cross country and volleyball. All students are encouraged to take part in at least two semesters of extracurricular sports in or outside of school; in 2022-23 students are participating in basketball, soccer, swimming, and gymnastics.
• A House system, in which students are able to serve the community and compete against other Houses for awards.
• The Senior Trip, a week-long excursion to Rome and Florence in which students are invited to experience in 12th grade. This is planned in conjunction with the Humanities program  and paid for in part by tuition and student fees.
• The 12th Day of Christmas, a celebration on  the first Thursday after Winter Break, in which food, festivities, readings, and songs close the Christmastime.