The story that inspired our name.
Alfred the Great, our namesake, became king at the tender age of 22 years old. Alfred faced numerous challenges in his life ranging from devastating Viking invasions and exile, to unifying and educating a fragmented disheartened people. With the support of his loyal band of brothers, he eventually reclaimed the kingdom of Wessex and began the arduous task of rebuilding his nation. The destruction wrought by the Viking invaders left the economy, the church, and the education of his people in a severely depleted state. Many of his warriors couldn't read or write in their native language, Anglo-Saxon. King Alfred made it his mission to promote Christian Scholarship and literacy in his realm. He translated numerous Latin texts, including the first 50 Psalms, into the common language of his people. Furthermore, he required his lords and leaders to pursue literacy, learning, and fear of the Lord. This resulted in a plethora of spiritual, educational, and economic reform. King Alfred understood that a well-educated populace was essential for the freedom and prosperity of his kingdom, so he prioritized learning and literacy as crucial aspects of his reign. This emphasis on education gave rise to the liberal arts tradition that flourished in Europe for centuries. In the face of modern challenges like secular culture and liberal ideology, we must follow in Alfred's footsteps. As Christians, we must take responsibility for the education of future generations, just as King Alfred took responsibility for his people. We strive for children to learn about God and His Word through Classical Education, while also imparting in them a deep love and reverence for God. Adopting a classical Christian education model that emphasizes grammar, logic, and rhetoric, will cultivate in our students critical thinking, effective communication, and deep understanding. Like King Alfred, our hope is to reforge virtue and excellence for our children and generations to come.