Why two days?
One full day, plus one afternoon, allows most education to occur at home, while still fostering community. Logic and Rhetoric students can select classes a la carte.
Why Latin?
Dorothy Sayers calls Latin “the art of being precise with words.” The study of an inflected language trains the mind for learning all subjects. It is also the foundation for English (and all Romance languages) and provides vocabulary for science and theology. (See chapter 16 of Douglas Wilson’s book The Case for Classical Christian Education for a more thorough answer to this question.)
I’m new to classical education. Help!
It would be our joy to help you find resources and ideas!
How do I apply?
1. Attend an Information Meeting.
2. Complete an application (click “Forms and Downloads” above). All applications due by August 6. Application fee: $15 per student.
3. After we receive your application, we’ll schedule an informal meeting to get to know you. We want to make sure that GCA is a good fit for your family! Before attending this meeting, parents should read our GCA School Manual 2010 and Dorothy Sayer’s article The Lost Tools of Learning to ensure you are comfortable with our approach.
What kind of participation is expected from parents?
This depends on the parent. There are many opportunities to help, and we’ll talk in person about the best fit for you and your family. Some parents will serve as teacher-aids, some will help with snacks and room set-up, others will help with administration, and so on.
Are charter students welcome?
Yes. Charter and private homeschool students are equally welcome. We are not biased for or against parents who associate with charters. However, charter funds cannot be used for our classes because they are all distinctly Christian. Yes, even math! Math is part of God’s creation, designed by God for His glory. Even math classes are worshipful, even (or especially) when they pursue the highest possible academic standards. Berkhof and Van Til said it well, “Sometimes some say sneeringly, or at least doubtfully, ‘How can you be specifically Christian when you teach the children that two times two are four?’…. Well, our answer is that if you cannot teach arithmetic to the glory of God, you cannot do it any other way because it cannot be done any other way by anybody. And by this I do not mean that you have breathed a sort of Christian atmosphere about the problems of arithmetic in the sense that you have opened the school session with prayer a couple hours before. By a Christian atmosphere I mean first of all that a deep conviction on the part of the teacher that no fact is teachable except when brought into relationship with God.”