Posted on 07/01/2015 12:09:27 PM PDT by Fester Chugabrew
A culture capable of self-government must be steeped in an education that recognizes the objective existence of truth, beauty, and virtue. A classical charter school offers precisely this type of education by making use of the great ideas that have informed Western Civilization for thousands of years.
In order to establish and perpetuate this type of education I am seeking interested individuals in the Elkhart, Indiana area who would participate in founding a classical charter school. A few initial contacts have been made already. A meeting date has also been established.
If you are interested in this, please contact me via Freepmail. Those who work on a project like this should expect to expend a great deal of effort, and should join with the expectation were are dealing with unchanging principles that must not depart from the overall mission of a classical education: to develop informed human beings who know what it means to enjoy the blessings of liberty as our forefathers understood and defined those blessings.
What are your religious standards (the school, not you personally)?
PAGAN
People
Against
Goodness
And
Normalcy
I became interested about a week ago via a Hillsdale series of lectures
I've got the interest, but I don't know how to direct myself
My personal religious standards are the biblical texts and the Book of Concord of 1580. As for the classical charter school we are attempting to found, its core knowledge sequence and curriculum will most likely cause the educated citizen to gravitate toward those standards, but they will not be overtly advocated. The gist of this effort is to turn public schools back toward the standards and processes they should have maintained all along. In this region there is only one overtly Christian school that follows a classical pattern in terms of its overtly Christian aspect, which is excellent. The Elkhart Classical Academy would not follow that pattern due to its use of public resources and adherence to public protocols which currently prohibit religious advocacy.
I’m interested in finding a school here in Western Pa., but none in our area.
sneaks
Yo sneaks ... I came across the classical information because I “attend” Hillsdale ... I’m in W Alec
IHi knarf! I get the newsletter but haven’t listened to any of the lectures in awhile. Was there one about classical education?
It's called the Barney School Initiative
I didn't get through them all, but I intend to use this weekend to vegetate in front of the 'puter
The Classical Academy of Sarasota
They tried for several years to open as a charter school with their curriculum based on the standards practiced by Hillsdale College. Naturally, the leftist school board denied their charter and made up all sorts of comical reasons for why. Instead, they opened as a private school, and in their second year of operation, they are maxed out and looking for a larger space. This was started by a guy and his wife on a small budget and they are in the process of creating a hugely successful and conservative brand/school/program.
IIRC, their teachers were recruited from Hillsdale. The founder, Josh Longenecker, is a super guy and would probably make time to answer your questions.
We will be making our first go with the State of Indiana, along with a few other entities working with Hillsdale. I have heard reports of how the leftist oriented “powers that be” respond with nonsensical reasons for denying a charter. The Mason Academy in Naples had success, so it is possible an authorizing entity may be available that Josh Longenecker did not have available. The requirements from one State and District to the next appear to be “living and breathing,” which is partly why the beast is in need of serious reform. In cases where leftists sabotage efforts to educate the public we must also aim to reverse their influence politically. The reports of classical charter schools outstripping their counterparts are encouraging, but these do not happen by osmosis or with mediocrity.
BUMP
There’s no secret to why these schools are packing them in, and it is a sad commentary on the state of public education. In talking with Josh, and looking back now that he’s found success, he admitted that not getting charter school approval was a blessing in disguise. The fact that he doesn’t have to adhere to Common Core is one of the biggest reasons local parents gave him a look.
I’m not from the area, but I wish you all the luck in the world. If your school succeeds, I’ll tell some friends about you.
Not exactly a homeschooling thread, but very relevant educationally. Hopefully, it’s the start of a trend.
Hillsdale College assisted in opening the Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy here. 136 kids applied for 10 (!) Kindergarten seats. At the drawing, my grand daughter drew 16, so she is on the waiting list for this fall’s school year. Fingers crossed, and this FReeper would appreciate any and all prayers!
BTW, we were told by the Headmaster that the school upholds Judeo-Christian values...
Thanks for posting; I’m listening now.
You’re right, but I can’t see that it fits either category to get pinged out.
I can see more of this sort of thing down the road at the rate this nation is going.
I’m particularly watching what’s going to happen now that same sex marriage has been legalized.
Thanks knarf. I’m going to check them out!
Wish I could cheer and encourage your endeavor, but "use of public resources and adherence to public protocol" are poison pills, imho.
As granny used to say, he who pays the piper calls the tune. Government will be calling the tune.
I understand that Indiana homeschooling laws are mild compared to my state (Pennsylvania, which has an atrocious set of standards to homeschool) but a charter school is accountable to the state dept of education.
Better than public school, to be sure. But expect that call from the gov't: "...and I'm here to help."
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