While King Alfred Academy may seem “new” or “risky”, it’s arguably not, because even though our particular school is previously foreign to Paonia, we are actually implementing a time tested model built on certain eternal truths concerning human nature and the Divine. This Classical tradition dates back to the foundations of western culture and Christianity, and was the dominant educational model in the Christian west for almost 2,000 years. We aren’t reinventing the wheel or trying something completely new, like most government schools and other modern Christian academies, but rather stand firmly on the shoulders of the countless saints who have walked this Classical road before us. We are confident that enrolling our children in any other educational model would pose a far greater risk to their spiritual and academic health.

The Latin phrase “Virtus Tentamine Gaudet” translates to “Strength Rejoices in the Challenge.” For countless generations, most children were taught using Classical Christian Education (CCE), the aim of which is not perfection, but rather mastery. Certainly, the curriculum is robust, but students who feel the accomplishment of mastering something difficult are much more likely to move onto something more challenging and more likely to enjoy it. Of all your educational options, CCE is the best at cultivating in children the skills required to educate themselves, and become life-long learners.

The good of any thing is found in its ability to accomplish what it was created for…to realize its purpose for existence as intended by God. Only in this realization can something truly be called “good.” “The good” is possible only in the light of truth. Not truth as it is often defined today, by personal preference or popular consensus, but truth as is defined for us by scripture. And where goodness and truth exist, there you will find beauty. We were created for a purpose. That purpose is not left to chance or whim, but was determined by God and written in our nature. Our purpose is to seek truth, in order to discover and to act on what is good and beautiful in this life.

We believe that parents partner with educators in the instruction of their children and are so called by God ( Eph 6:4). The core curriculum and any new topics will be taught in the classroom by the teacher. Parents will reinforce concepts, help students practice at home, and ideally read the Great Books along with their child, to both model and inspire their children to become life-long learners. This is guided through age appropriate amounts of homework to cultivate a healthy school/family life balance. And unlike many other schools that require parents to submit to a yoke of mandatory “volunteerism”, we instead hope that parents would willingly and joyfully spend time serving their students and their school. So we ask that parents generously give of their time in whatever capacity available.

Why do Classical Christian schools teach Latin or Greek? Because 60% of English words derive from Latin and Greek, and over 80% of the words in many Romance languages like Spanish and Italian originate from Latin. Therefore, understanding Latin and Greek help students understand their own native tongues better and educate them to recognize the linguistic similarities between many other languages. Additionally, students can gain the ability to read many classical texts in the original words of their authors, including the New Testament writers, St. Augustine, and Aristotle.

While King Alfred Academy hopes to lease space from West Elk Family Church, our school remains a separate non-profit organization. We intentionally do not fall under the ecclesiastical authority or ministry of any particular church or denomination. This independence is crucial to minimize any secondary doctrinal issues that tend to arise in the American church, as well as secure our ability to curate a curriculum and methodology that pursues the full knowledge of God’s created order. We believe the Church’s core mission is evangelism and ministering to the needs of the saints, which is complementary yet distinct from the responsibilities of a Christian school to focus on discipleship and instruction for the children of believers.

King Alfred Academy is proud to be one of over five hundred members of the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS), the nation’s premier classical education organization. Their mentorship and resources have been crucial to our solid foundation and future success.