The Classical Academy Podcast

This summer, America turned 250 years-old. Yet the American Revolution is not dusty ancient history: the founding generation's fight remains our nation's foundation. Still, debates rage about the meaning of the Revolution: why did we really break with England? What is the "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" promised in the Declaration of Independence? What does freedom mean? How do we best protect it?  These are vital questions that high school students grapple with in the classical Christian historical classroom. How do we teach the American Revolution? And how does it prepare students for life after high school? Find out in this friendly guide to Classical Christian education.

Chris Nolan's movie adaptation of The Odyssey smashed box office records this summer, earning over 1.6 billion dollars, and created a cultural moment around Homer's epic poem. Interest in the story of The Odyssey has never been higher. At Trinity Classical Academy, we have been big fans of The Odyssey for a while. Why do we love this story? And why do we love teaching it to students?  Find out in this friendly guide to Classical Christian education. 

Classical Christian schools strive to form students in virtue. That's great in theory, but what about the practical training today's kids need for an uncertain future? Turns out nothing is more useful than virtue: the intellectual and personal skills needed to become mature, versatile, and effective adults.  How does that work? Dr. Kevin Clark, a renowned author and educational leader, joins us in this friendly guide to Classical Christian Education.   Show notes:  To learn more about Dr. Clark's book, see The Liberal Arts Tradition: A Philosophy of Christian Classical Education . To learn more about the Ecclesial Schools Initiative, click here.  For a brief introduction to Aristotle's concept of the "intellectual virtues", click here.  To access the full directory of Classical Academy Podcast episodes, organized by subject and grade level, click here. 

Student discipline is a crucial part of education. It's how we teach right from wrong, how we teach not just information but character formation. At Trinity Classical Academy, we've developed an intentional process of student discipline aimed at producing virtue and wisdom. Our grammar school principal, Dr. Dixon, is here to share all about it, in this friendly guide to Classical Christian education. 

Can a man escape his fate? Does wisdom lead only to sorrow? What if the detective is the murderer without knowing it? Do you know yourself—and what price do you pay to learn that truth? The master playwright Sophocles raised these questions in Oedipus Rex, the play that Aristotle considered the supreme tragedy. But how do we answer such questions with eighth graders in a Christian context? Find out in this friendly guide to Classical Christian education.    The Classical Academy Podcast, presented by Trinity Classical Academy in Santa Clarita, CA. To learn more, visit https://www.trinityclassicalacademy.com . 

What actually is a "gospel"? Why are there four gospels in the Bible, not just one? Why are Matthew, Mark, and Luke so similar, and John so different? Are the gospels really the true account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? And how do we teach them at a Classical Christian high school? Find out in this friendly guide to classical Christian education.  The Classical Academy Podcast, presented by Trinity Classical Academy in Santa Clarita, CA. To learn more, visit https://www.trinityclassicalacademy.com .     

In Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen charmingly constructed the archetypal "enemies to lovers" plot. But is the love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy mere romantic fantasy from a forgotten era? Or can it teach life-changing lessons and timeless truths for young men and women today? Find out in this friendly guide to classical Christian education.  The Classical Academy Podcast, presented by Trinity Classical Academy in Santa Clarita, CA. To learn more, visit https://www.trinityclassicalacademy.com . 

Christians believe the universe has a creator. But what does science show? It turns out that signs of an intelligent designer are everywhere—from within the tiniest cell to beyond the grandest galaxy. What does the theory of "intelligent design" mean for the science classroom? Find out how in this friendly guide to Classical Christian Education.

Francis of Assisi: was he a mystic, a heretic, or the saintliest among saints? An animal-loving, poverty-embracing, creation-caretaker genius of the Christian walk... or was he bonkers? Some combo of all these, or just a simple, committed follower of Christ? Dr. Andrew Selby will help us find out in this friendly guide to Classical Christian Education.

Yarns, tall tales, mysteries, romances, thrillers, myths, fables—we all love a good story. Why? On a deep level, stories and narratives shape how we see truth and gain wisdom. When students get how narratives work, they can think clearly, speak eloquently, and love what is true and good.  But can you teach narratives to grammar school students? Yes, with the Progymnasmata's Narrative stage! Find out how in this friendly guide to Classical Christian Education.