The Need for a Classical Education
The Need for a Classical Education
Thomas Jefferson wrote, that “an educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” According to the most recent results of the National Assessment of Academic Progress, “U.S. students have not recovered from the devastating impact the pandemic had on education. National scores are below pre-pandemic levels (2019) in all tested grades and subjects.”[1]
Furthermore, higher-performing students drove most of the progress made in 2024, and gaps are growing between higher-performing and lower-performing students — a trend that has been occurring for more than a decade.”[2] Lastly, civic knowledge has been flat since 1998. [3]
A classical education emphasizes the great books, literacy, civic virtue, and the foundations of Western civilization. Students not only develop strong character as a result of the school’s focus on decorum and personal responsibility, but they also gain a rich understanding of western civilization by studying seminal texts and ideas. Students improve their English grammar and vocabulary given the incorporation of Latin as a subject. Lastly, student learn critical thinking as a result of classical education’s emphasis on the development of content knowledge, which also has the added effect of strengthening their reading comprehension skills.
Finally, classical education incorporates direct instruction, which has been shown to be superior to progressive instructional methods, although student-centered instruction can be used as a supplement.
[1] National Assessment Governing Board. (n.d.). 10 Takeaways from the Newly Released 2024 NAEP Results. https://www.nagb.gov/powered-by-naep/the-2024-nations-report-card/10-takeaways-from-2024-naep-results.html
[2] Ibid
[3] The Nation’s Report Card. (n.d.). NAEP Civics: Civics Highlights 2022. https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/highlights/civics/2022/
Educational Philosophy
Our mission is to return to a focus on academic excellence – meaning highlighting the foundational skills of core subjects using mostly direct instruction and predicated on student accountability, which we believe is the best way to develop 21st century skills among students.
The vision of the school is to equip students for citizenship through a teaching of the liberal arts and sciences and a grounding in civic virtue.
Contact info
- info@northernvirginiaclassical.org
- 571-293-2057