Greetings Lion Family,

We working on completing all make up exams for PM1. Thank you for ensuring your scholars were in attendance the day of their assessment. The Department of Academic Services will start conducting fall academic meetings this month. We will meet with each 6th - 12th grade scholar in the fall and spring. Our goal is to track a scholar's progress for promotion or graduation, check in on academic standings, create goals, and establish relationships with each scholar. We are looking forward to these meetings!

Another goal of the Department of Academic Services is to educate our families about Classical education. Each month there will be resources for parents to learn more about the amazing type of education we are offing to our families. I encourage you to dive into these resources to help you better understand our mission.

Sincerely,

Kayla Flannagan

Director of Academic Services

The Long Term Benefits of a Classical Education

Classical education is a return to the tried-and-true methods of education that seek truth, goodness, and beauty, and the study of the liberal arts and the Great Books. The purpose of classical education is to teach students how to learn and how to think. We strive to meet the mission of our school with a classical curriculum at the forefront. “The mission of St. Johns Classical Academy is to develop graduates in mind and character through a classical, content-rich curriculum that emphasizes the principles of virtuous living, traditional learning, and civic responsibility. We are building intelligent, virtuous American citizens” (St. Johns Classical Academy). We are actively fighting a culture that believes AP, AICE, Dual Enrollment, and CTE are the options to successfully prepare students for their future careers with earlier graduations and an abundance of college credit. We are also fighting a culture that believes that because classical schools do not offer these courses, they are not adequately preparing their students. Despite these criticisms, classical education is doing more than preparing students for their futures, it is preparing students for success. Culture seems to say that classical education and professional training are competing against each other, but they are in fact complementary to each other. The cultural belief is that a liberal arts education leads to a career that is not financially stable. Contrarily, a classical education assists our students in their ability to flourish. Students should “have their minds stretched by the big questions raised by history, science philosophy, and the arts” but they also need to gain the skills required in a “demanding labor market” (Bilbro, Wilson, and Henreckson). Preparing for your future with a liberal arts education prepares students to thrive financially and in position.

In his book, The Evidence Liberal Arts Needs: Lives of Consequence, Inquiry, and Accomplishment, Richard A. Detweiler provides data that shows a liberal arts education not only cultivates individuals to become virtuous American citizens but also prepares students to earn higher incomes over the long term and advance their positions in their careers. Detweiler’s research shows that individuals with specialized training often have higher incomes and positions to start, but that does not remain true for very long. In fact, “those who study more broadly by taking more than half of their courses outside their major were 24 percent more likely to report a higher income as adults” (Bilbro, Wilson, and Henreckson). There is no evidence to support the relationship between the need for a job-specific major and long-term success even though society says college should result in a decent job. What Detweiler’s study shows is that the need for a broad education of study for all students, especially from less economically disadvantaged families, is the biggest predictor of long-term success.

A classical education will prepare scholars for long-term success and allow them to gain skills that will transcend into any career. Skills like balancing schedules, learning, thinking, communicating, storytelling, rhetoric, and narration are balanced. A classical education will give scholars “knowledge and skills to help them with tasks and jobs that do not currently exist and in situations they cannot yet imagine” (Bilbro, Wilson, and Henreckson). When one is specific in their major and forgoes to broaden one's education, the risk of the skills learned not being applicable several years after graduation is likely. It is impossible to guarantee that you will learn all that you need to know to prepare you for an entire career and never have to learn anything else. The relevance of these skills will never become outdated or irrelevant.

Typically, when employers are looking to fill a position, the job requirements are listed, and questions are asked to see how well the candidate can demonstrate their knowledge of the required skills. Don Eben, CEO of Core Network Strategies, says that this traditional method of hiring fails to highlight key features of a strong employee: showing a love of learning, the ability to problem solve, and effective communication skills (Bilbro, Wilson, and Henreckson). A classical education allows individuals to acquire skills needed to adapt, think creatively, communicate effectively, collaborate, and learn how to inquire and ask questions. “The National Association of Colleges and Employers from 2018 found that the most employable skills were communication, problem solving, and collaboration” (Bilbro, Wilson, and Henreckson).

The mission of St. Johns Classical Academy is to build intelligent, virtuous American citizens. We believe we are laying a strong classical liberal arts education for all scholars and that these foundational principles will allow them to find long-term success.

References

Bilbro, J., Wilson, J.H., Henreckson, D. (2023). The liberating arts – why we need liberal arts education. Plough publishing house.

St. Johns Classical Academy. (2023). About SJCA. St. johns classical academy. https://www.stjca.org/about-sjca

At SJCA, scholars read rich, beautiful literature that allows them to dive into beautiful discussions about beauty, virtue, and character. Learning how to read books is essential to our scholars’ success in school and in understanding the world around them. The following tips from Outsmart Your Brain will serve as great resources when scholars are moving to Upper School and college:

• Do not just read and highlight

• Use a reading strategy that fits your goal: (1) survey-skim reading, (2) questions- think of some questions before starting to read, (3) read, (4) recite- after reading, recite what you have read, and (5) review

• Take notes as you read

• Allow enough time to read

For more specific details on each study tip, I encourage you to read Outsmart Your Brain by Daniel T. Willingham, Ph.D.

https://flfast.org/resource-list/en/renaissance-star

https://flfast.org/families.html

Upper School teachers offer tutorials during the week to allow tutoring to be provided to all scholars. Please use the list below to reference the tutoring days for each teacher.

English Department

Mrs. Cosme: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Mrs. Glod: Wednesdays

Mrs. Kiep: Wednesdays

Mrs. Rodillas: Mondays and Tuesdays

Mrs. Rhodes: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Math Department

Mrs. Klingbeil: Tuesday - Friday

Mr. Curier: Mondays and Tuesdays

Mr. Stout: Mondays and Tuesdays

Mr. Johnson: Thursdays and Fridays

Mrs. Minic: Tuesday and Thursday

History Department

Dr. Woliver: Mondays and Thursdays

Mrs. Rhodes: Tuesdays and Thursdays

We encourage you to add the Department of Academic Advising to your scholar's Google Classroom to stay up to date on the latest post-high school information.

If your scholar is in middle school, grades 6 through 8, you will not find a long to-do list for preparing to make post-high school decisions. Scholars should enjoy the beautiful education they are receiving at SJCA, work hard in school, learn their interest, and practice good study habits. The books below are excellent resources for scholars to practice good study habits. Scholars start their high school GPA with a high school Latin credit as well as Algebra 1, if their teachers recommended the course. It is important that scholars know the importance of the grades in these classes and how it will affect their GPA.

9th grade is the start of your high school career. Scholars should enjoy the beautiful education they are receiving at SJCA, work hard in school, learn their interest, and practice good study habits. The books below are excellent resources. Scholars can also start building their activity resume. Colleges do not want to see a laundry list of activities. Instead, considering being involved in a few things over an extended period of time. Lastly, scholars can work on community service hours. Scholars do not need community service hours to graduate but they do need it for Bright Futures.

In 11th grade, scholars should start taking the CLT, SAT, or ACT if they want to pursue attending a college or university. It is recommended that scholars try all three exams and then take the one they prefer the best repeatedly. All three exams are super scored to allow for the highest test score possible. Scholars should also start researching type of post-high school options they have.

The Department of Academic Services is planning a Junior Retreat and a Post-High School Fair in the spring to allow high school scholars to see possible post-high school options. Stayed tuned for more information.

In 12th grade, scholars should be applying for the college or university they want to attend. It is encouraged to apply to multiple schools. If you are wanting to pursue the military, you can start talking with a recruiter to start looking at detailed options and taking the ASVAB. As decisions are made, scholarships are awarded, and celebrations are made please let the Department of Academic Services know. We want to celebrate with you and highlight your achievements.

Scholars will be given the opportunities below for college entrance exams and preparatory college entrance exams at no cost to you.

• PSAT/NMSQT: 11th grade scholars - October 24th
• CLT10: 9th and 10th grade Scholars
• CLT8: 7th and 8th grade scholars
• CLT3-6: 3rd - 6th grade scholars
• SAT: 11th grade scholars - March
• CLT: 11th and 12th grade scholars

• August 15, 2024 - 50% off exam if you apply to Covenant College
• September 21, 2024 - 50% off if you apply to Grove City College
• October 16, 2024
• November 7, 2024
• December 7, 2024 - 50% off if you apply to Hillsdale College
• January 25, 2025
• February 20, 2025
• March 15, 2025
• April 10, 2025
• May 10, 2025
• June 18, 2025

• August 24, 2024
• October 5, 2024
• November 2, 2024
• December 7, 2024
• March 8, 2025
• May 3, 2025
• June 7, 2025

• September 14, 2024
• October 26, 2024
• December 14, 2024
• February 8, 2025
• April 5, 2025
• June 14, 2025
• July 12, 2025

CLEP exams help you receive college credit for a fraction of the cost of a college course. Exams are administered year-round on a flexible schedule and last between 90-120 minutes with scores released immediately. Passing a CLEP exam with a score of 3 or higher allows scholars to earn college credit at 2,900 colleges across the country.

When selecting which CLEP exams to take, I caution that all scholars not take a CLEP exam for credit in a course in which they want to major. While a scholar will earn credit for passing the exam, the college or university has the autonomy to award the credit where they see fit. For example, if a scholar majors in chemistry and passes the chemistry CLEP exam, the scholar will earn a college credit for chemistry. Most colleges and universities, however, will award that credit as an elective credit rather than a credit toward the degree one is seeking. Colleges and universities want scholars to take their chemistry course because they believe it will best prepare them for the degree. College credit is awarded for a passed exam, but not in the manner you think.

When signing up for a CLEP exam, you will be presented with the option to purchase a study guide. While SJCA believes our curriculum will help prepare scholars to pass a test on a specific subject area, we cannot guarantee that every scholar will pass. The study guide is an excellent tool to bridge the types of questions on the exam with our curriculum.

With proper preparation in the classroom and with the CLEP study guide, our teachers believe that our scholars would be able to pass the following exams:

• History of the United States I: Colonization to 1877 after successfully completing 11th Grade American History
• History of the United States II: Colonization to 1865 to Present after successfully completing 11th Grade American History
  

• Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 after successfully completing 9th Grade Ancient History
• Western Civilization II: 1648-Present after successfully completing 10th Grade European History
• College Composition after successfully completing 9th - 11th grade Literature
• Humanities after successfully completing high school

If your senior needs assistance with the college application process, please have them reach out to their assigned Academic Advisor.

Last names A-L: Mrs. Flannagan

Last Names M-Z: Mrs. Gomes

Last year, we celebrated the graduation of 28 SJCA graduates. Together, they achieved the following:

• Graduation Rate: 100%
• College Acceptance Rate: 100%
• Military Enlistment: 1 - Coast Guard
• Bright Futures: 14 - 6 75% and 8 100%
• Total Offered Scholarship: $1,248,456
• Average CLT Score:73 compared to the national average of 67
• Average SAT Score: 1129 compared to a national average of 1028
• Average ACT Score: 26 compared to a national average of 19
• Offered Athletic Scholarships: 1