Welcome to the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, more commonly called the "C.L.A.A.". We are happy to provide individuals, families and schools with the only authentic classical liberal arts study program available anywhere.
The chief benefit of our program is that these studies concern all students, rather than a particular group. Throughout history, the classical liberal arts have been studied by Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Jews, Catholics, Protestants and all who have sought Wisdom. As the arts are not matters of divine revelation, but subjects within the reach of human reason, they are the possession of all men an d have thus been named the "humanities" or "humane arts".
STUDY PROGRAMS
While our concentration is in the classical liberal arts, beginning with classical Grammar, we make it possible for students of different academic backgrounds to start comfortably. Students are also free to participate in individual courses with no commitment to the larger program. The three basic tracks are these:
Classical Latin/Greek Program\
Traditional English Program
Independent (Extern) Study Program
The best way for you to make your plans is to speak directly with the CLAA's Director:
The CLAA offers a preparatory program for young students whose parents intend for them to enter either the CLAA's Academy or Common School program. For information on this popular program, use the links below:
To prepare students for advanced Christian philosophy and theology in later years, the foundation must be laid in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The CLAA provides a complete program of religious instruction through our Catechism and Religion programs using nothing but proven sources.
Above: Watch CLAA Theology & Biblical Studies instructor Dr. Schmiedicke's interview on EWTN's "Sunday Night Prime with Fr. Benedict Groeschel.
II. TRIVIUM
Students cannot write or speak well before they have learned to think and live well, so all the talk of effective "writing" and "speaking" in modern schools is idle noise. The CLAA provides a complete program in the classical language arts, as they have been taught to and by history's men for centuries..
Other "classical" programs can offer some elementary Latin or Literature courses, but what about classical mathematics? Only the CLAA is able to provide a study program that includes classical instruction in Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy--the classical Quadrivium. (By the way, this was how of history's great mathematicians learned math.)
With core courses are established, students are welcome to study any of our cognate courses. These includes studies in History, Literature, the Fine Arts and more.
by William Michael Sporting is a means of leading boys and girls from lesser things to higher things. Sporting serves the inferior part of our nature (our body and mind) and is temporal, it should lead us to serve the superior part of our nature (our soul), which is eternal...
by John Cuddeback, Ph.D.
Ignorance of the natural world is preventing modern students from entering upon true philosophical studies. Dr. Cuddeback, professor of Philosophy at Christendom College explains how we can do better.
by William Michael, CLAA Director
You'd probably never expect an article from Mr. Michael that includes lyrics from Eminem and music from Tiesto, but here it is.
by William Michael, CLAA Director
It's time for Christian families and schools to move forward in the restoration of true Christian education. To do that, the Dorothy Sayers Movement must come to an end...and it will.
by William Michael, CLAA Director
The reason why education achieves so little today is that parents and teachers are making decisions about books and methods before they have understood and identified the goals of Christian education. Mr. Michael provides an example of this as it affects the language arts, which are the foundation of an authentic classical education.
by William Michael, CLAA Director
What are the "normal" activities that mark childhood? Today, they may be video games, TV and sports, but historically they weren't so--and they shouldn't be.
by William Michael, CLAA Director
Mr. Michael explains why modern language programs like Rosetta Stone cannot serve the needs of Christian education and how language instruction differs in the classical liberal arts curriculum.
by William Michael, CLAA Director
Mr. Michael's most popular article discusses real-world principles and procedures for creating a household schedule that works for your family.
CLAA families and students are invited to participate in CLAA camps and camping conferences on our school and farm grounds in Monroe, NC. For more information on any of these events, please contact us.
CLAA SIMPLE LIFE CAMPS
Mr. and Mrs. Michael, invite CLAA boys (age 12-17) to visit throughout the year for our "Simple Life" camps. Here, students enjoy a week of life on the Michael Family Farm (Monroe, NC), enjoy lessons that integrate their classical studies with the natural world and adult vocations and experience the quiet and peaceable life that few are familiar with today. For more info click here.
CLAA ACADEMIC CAMPS
Mr. Michael welcomes boys aged 13-17 to the CLAA campus for week-long academic camps. These camps provide a week of intense instruction in a single subject to help students rapidly advance to higher levels in their studies. Subjects include world history, Latin reading, Greek reading, Philosophy, Literature and Classical Arithmetic.
CLAA ENGLISH STUDIES
It does not take most families long to learn why modern schools do not teach classical Grammar or Arithmetic: they're tough courses. While the CLAA will always give first attention to our classical Academy students, we recognize the need to provide a gentler, but no less truthful path to Wisdom for students who cannot climb with the best students.
Beginning in 2012, the CLAA will be offering a complete Traditional English Studies program. This will begin with English Grammar and progress through English Literature--but not as modern "English" classes do. We will use the same structure and system of Grammar that students learn in classical Grammar--it will simply be applied to English.
As said above, the CLAA's classical study program makes it plain why modern schools do what they do. Classical studies are not for the general public. The reasoning and diligence needed to succeed in our Classical Arithmetic program may take time for many students to work themselves up to.
For students who need to ease into classical mathematical studies, we offer a complete course in Practical Arithmetic. This program efficiently teaches all that one needs to know to use Arithmetic throughout life. We cover numeration, the abacus, the four operations, fractions, decimals--even insurance and interest calculatoins.
If you are interested in a no-nonsense, real-life Arithmetic program for your children, you will probably be pleased with what we offer.
It does not take most families long to learn why modern schools do not teach classical Grammar or Arithmetic: they're tough courses. While the CLAA will always give first attention to our classical Academy students, we recognize the need to provide a gentler, but no less truthful path to Wisdom for students who cannot climb with the best students.
As said above, the CLAA's classical study program makes it plain why modern schools do what they do. Classical studies are not for the general public. The reasoning and diligence needed to succeed in our Classical Arithmetic program may take time for many students to work themselves up to.