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10 RESULTS UNIQUE TO A
CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

1. A solid foundation in the fundamentals:  Students develop strong language, math and science skills through the structure and rigor of grammar school, and the logic used to teach higher math and science.
    

2. Depth and culture:  Our young students read and commit to memory the great classic stories, poems, and essays of Western culture.  The depth of these works embeds moral and cultural literacy in the minds of our students and provides a greater command of language and vocabulary.
    

3. Substantive learning:  Young students soak up rich material if we encourage them to do so.  Whether it’s famous impressionist art in K and 1, or countless great books like Milton’s Paradise Lost or Plato's Republic in high-school, detail makes subjects come alive for younger students and develops depth of thought for older students. So often, educators underestimate a student’s capacity to learn and therefore simplify subject matter through generalities.  Ironically, this simplification actually harms the educational process. 
    

4. Confident and articulate speakers and writers:  When it comes down to it, those who communicate well have a tremendous advantage in life.  Even the best ideas go untried if they are not well-communicated.  The ancient Greeks realized this and thus began the study of rhetoric.  Our students defend theses, engage in debates, study logic, and regularly practice the art of Rhetoric—both orally and in writing.
    

5. Honor and character:  Our school’s code resists typical “do and don’t” rules.  Our goal is to renew the minds of students to "Love the Good".  Whether we’re teaching boys how to shake hands while making eye contact, or promoting a heart that desires kindness, not simply kind behavior, we work to build character in practical, real-life ways.
    

6. Well-practiced minds:  For those who are tempted to think classical education impractical, consider this:  Other than how to read, spell, and do arithmetic, how much information do you recall from your k-12 education-- particularly grades 7-12?  Unlike other schools, we change the focus when students reach 7^th grade.  Our students develop their reasoning in a number of ways.  They learn to make connections between ideas, learn to synthesize and communicate well, and immerse themselves in understanding the ideas contained in words like liberty, beauty, justice, and truth.  They contemplate the various meanings for each idea as they read those philosophers, artists, and scientists whose works formulate the various ideas.  They sharpen their minds as they debate with the teacher and other students on issues of depth and importance.
   
   Practicing the mind results in students who are unusually thoughtful, can express themselves well, and who may even be mature beyond their years. This mental development will serve them wherever they go in life.
    

7. Independent thinkers:  If a student were asked to read Plato, Virgil, Augustine, Aquinas or Locke because there will be a test on their content, the student would likely find them uninteresting.  Our students read with a purpose.  Like a treasure hunt, they are looking for the connections and development of ideas that span all great literature.  When reason and faith are integrated, students are unlikely to be persuaded by college dogma.
    

8. Self-control and personal diligence:  One of the first benefits our graduates relate from college is the study habits they learned at the Academy. The demands of our program develop healthy work habits.  “The fact that St. Ambrose stretched me everyday of my education in all subjects has prepared me the most for higher education and built in me a strong work ethic and discipline that will go with me for the rest of my life.”  Christopher Adams, Alumnus, Merchant Marine Academy Cadet.
    

9. Lifelong friends:  Our graduates tell us that the relationships they have from school set them apart.  The depth of discussion in class and the small-class size creates an environment where students grow together.
    

10. A sense of purpose:  Like other Christian schools, we study scripture.  In fact, our students memorize large amounts of scripture.  The difference is in how we relate scripture to the world.  We do not relegate theology to a class.  We teach scripture as a measure of Greek mythology, theoretical physics,  British literature, or countless other areas of study.  As we relate the great ideas to world events today, students are able to better appreciate God’s willful work in the world around us.  Knowing their place helps them understand their purpose.