Classical education is a liberal arts education. “Liberal”, in this case, means “free”. Classical education prepares young men and women to live in freedom and independence, and not in a servile existence. The primary art for which we are preparing is the art of living well. Job skills are a by-product and not the end of classical education. The end is a virtuous young adult who lives not with historical or cultural amnesia, but rather with a sense of who she is in the context of human history. Classically trained students will be well qualified for future studies in law, medicine, business, engineering, technology, theology or any other professional or vocational pursuit. We aim for our students to know the story of our country, and to read and write with facility. We are clear that a young graduate who is able to use her knowledge of the past to make good decisions in the present, and to plan wisely for the future will be in high demand and prepared to flourish.

Classical education requires teachers who are trained in academic disciplines (literature, history, sciences, mathematics, etc.), and not just in “education”. Naturally, classical school teachers love to spend time with children, they are kindhearted, and they know how to manage a classroom. But subject matter expertise is required. Our vision is to create a faculty that is academically gifted and in full pursuit of intellectual interests, because these habits tend to positively influence students who are by nature looking for leaders to follow.

Pineapple Cove Classical Academy is a tuition-free public school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, or exceptionality in the admission of students, in accordance with federal and state anti-discrimination law. The School is open to any eligible students in the county, including exceptional education students.

Classical schools are also known for teaching classical languages, usually Latin, but sometimes Latin and Greek. Latin has been taught in classical schools for centuries, even after Latin ceased to be a popular spoken language. There is good reason for this, for the study of Latin rewards us richly in several ways. Latin is the mother tongue for over 50% of all English words, so the study of Latin greatly enhances one’s English vocabulary. Often, just one Latin word is responsible for several English words. Take for example, the Latin word porto (“I carry”). From this word are derived port, portal, porter, porch, airport, import, important, transport, export, report, and portable. In this case one Latin word helps yield ten English words- a pretty good investment.

Latin also helps students understand grammar. As they learn Latin grammar, they are also learning or reinforcing their knowledge of English grammar. Our own way of labeling and analyzing English grammar evolved from the study of Latin grammar. The grammar of the Latin language is logical, straightforward, and highly regular, making it an ideal language to learn grammar that can be applied to many other languages, including of course, English. It has been shown repeatedly that the study of Latin quickens and enables one’s mastery of English. SAT and GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores rise.

Finally, we should mention that Latin is also the mother tongue of the so-called “Romance languages” of Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, and Romanian. They are called “Romance languages” because they directly descended from the language of the Romans which was Latin. If 50% of our words in English come from Latin, up to 90% of the words in these languages come from Latin. Students, therefore, who study Latin and/or Greek, will find they are on their way to learning additional languages (especially Romance languages) with much less effort.

From the Barney Charter School Initiative of Hillsdale College’s website:

“The Barney Charter School Initiative is a project of Hillsdale College devoted to the education of young Americans. Through this initiative, the College will support the launch of K-12 charter schools. These schools will train the minds and improve the hearts of young people through a rigorous, classical education in the liberal arts and sciences, with instruction in the principles of moral character and civic virtue.

Reform of American public education, to be successful and good, must be built on a foundation of classical liberal arts learning—the kind of learning best suited to a free society and most needed for its preservation. The Barney Charter School Initiative is an important step in that direction.

To advance the founding of classical charter schools, Hillsdale College works with school founding groups of parents and local citizens who care deeply about education, who plan to apply for a charter, and who are interested in an association with Hillsdale. As a relationship forms with a group, Hillsdale will assist in creating and implementing the school’s academic program. Drawing upon the experience of our College’s faculty members who have led classical schools, and an education department uniquely devoted to classical liberal arts learning, these new schools will promote a liberal and civic education in America’s public schools.

This initiative is made possible by a major grant from the Barney Family Foundation and matching gifts from other friends of Hillsdale College.”

Click to learn more and view sample lessons put forth by distinguished Hillsdale faculty.