Accountability. Accessibility. Transparency.

Discussions (and disagreements) about modern education play out across a diverse realm of public forums, often with an equally diverse vocabulary. These conversations have grown increasingly louder over the last two years, as parents, students, and schools alike have struggled to navigate changing health policies and increasing political friction about the contents of school curriculums. 

For parents of school-aged children, the stakes have never felt higher. Diminishing transparency and increasingly-reactive school curriculum means many feel left in the dark about what their children are actually learning—along with concerns about whether or not this education is actually equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need.

Simply put, many parents feel shut out by their school systems.

While there may not be a unified consensus on the complex disparities in the public education system, there’s a growing consensus about solutions—especially from parents and communities with a strong sense of faith.

While many aspects of the Classical Christian Academy educational model have been adopted by modern school systems, its underlying faith-based philosophy and community-minded approach have translated to a striking renewal in neighborhoods and school districts across the nation.

Despite relatively sparse representation in school district offices and state education boards, this is a model with serious credentials. The earliest iterations of Classical Christian Academies stretch back more than a millennium, which is another striking contrast to the post-industrial schools of thought that dominate today’s public school landscape.

Whereas state-level education curricula like to emphasize a core list of “minimum viable competencies,” a Classical Christian Academy is more interested in helping students develop a robust, critical, and faith-driven mindset. Instead of fixating on whether or not students can do specific algebraic functions or recite snippets of popular literature, these schools focus on cultivating a conceptual literacy that can apply to a wide range of subjects, along with a God-centric mindset that encourages students to put their lessons into practice in the world around them.

Classical education is meant to cultivate students into virtuous human beings who are equipped to live well. Therefore, classical education is about formation, not just information.

Of course, there’s significantly more to this educational tradition than a simple list of what it’s not. In fact, several core components of Classical Christian education will look familiar to students and families who are active in their faith, community, and classrooms. 

Students are nurtured on a well-rounded curriculum that includes arts, sciences, humanities, and—of course—plenty of context for these subjects from scripture and faith. True to their roots in communal faith, these schools also encourage community involvement, both in educating children and inputting that education into practice.

Classical Christian education produces some of the strongest students in the nation. On average, classically schooled students score approximately 358 points above the national average on the high school SAT.

For parents who are concerned about a lack of transparency in their child’s education, a Classic Christian education model offers a chance to play a direct role, as it celebrates the role familial structures have historically played in faith-driven cultures. 

While this is a national renewal that’s taking root in communities all across America, there’s perhaps no better snapshot for the momentum of the movement than the West Virginia Panhandle—an area with cultural and economic intersections that encapsulate the larger shifts occurring across America.

This area, which comprises 8 counties on the eastern edge of the state, sits on the crossroads of several different Americas. A melting pot of wealthy D.C. commuters, multi-generational agricultural families, and economically disadvantaged communities, this area has all the portraiture of both uniquely American prosperity and opioid-ravaged scarcity. 

Despite both a diverse set of educational priorities and a lack of accessible Christian education, the Panhandle has an immense desire for these kinds of opportunities. Pushes to create new faith-driven educational avenues for students have led to a growing passion for the traditional, Christ-centered education, translating to a growing appreciation for the Classical Christian Academy model.

For context, the Classical Christian Academy at Bethel is an upcoming educational opportunity that shows both the merits of this educational philosophy and the incredible demand for it. This new school promises a return to classical education—one that’s been met with incredible support from the community. As of writing, it's the first (and only) Classical Christian school in its area, representing the only opportunity for this education pathway to students within a 90-mile radius. 

To fill just 36 available kindergarten and first grade spots, the Classical Christian Academy has already received interest from hundreds of families from across the state. Those curious are invited to attend the school’s upcoming community open house event to learn more. 

While space in this open house is also filling up quickly, the school has been quick to stress there’s always room for families who want to embrace a faith-centric approach to their child’s education. Given that the Classical Christian Academy represents many West Virginia parents’ clearest opportunity to enroll in Classical Christian education, the massive outpour of interest in this school makes sense.

Many like-minded faith leaders see these educational opportunities as the tip of the spear in a larger push to renew the way education is approached in America. Given that the parents of Classical Christian students are perhaps one of the only demographics in America that’s optimistic about their child’s educational prospects, it’s not hard to see why. 

As the conversation around the role of education in America continues to evolve, it seems almost inevitable that a renewed interest in Classical Christian education will follow. For parents who celebrate having well-rounded, faith-driven, and community-minded children, trusting their growth to other school systems seems like a risky alternative—if it even is an alternative at all.