LOWER SCHOOL (GRADES K-5)
Because children are never too young to learn great things.
Main Line Classical Academy is founded on the premise that “children are never too young to learn great things.” For us, “great things” comprises first and foremost the Western tradition, and that is why we identify as a “classical” school. Classical education, also sometimes referred to as liberal education (from the Latin liber, free), is defined by the belief that a mature adult -- free intellectually, personally, and politically -- is the product of a course of study grounded in the classical canon of Western literature, mathematics, arts, and sciences. This canon is rooted in two mighty traditions: the Greco-Roman and the Judeo-Christian. In order to develop true love and mastery of the classical canon, students must come to understand the historical development and the cultural underpinnings of these two traditions, as well as the fruitful and sometimes tense interactions that occurred between them through the centuries, particularly through the medieval and early modern periods in Europe. It is out of that crucible that the North American experience emerged.
To ensure high academic standards, MLCA's Lower School gives students access to subject-area specialists from their very first year — an approach ordinarily reserved for older students. Up to eight different teachers, each accomplished in his or her own field, interact with every grade over the course of a day, teaching mostly in forty-five-minute blocks (longer for science lab and art studio). We extend this depth of instruction to our youngest students because we believe, as our motto holds, that children are never too young to learn great things.
UPPER SCHOOL (GRADES 6-8)
A voyage of the intellect across epochs and continents.
Our students’ voyage revolves, first and foremost, around core academic subjects in both STEM and the humanities. Already beginning in 6th grade, these courses adopt a seminar-style format that is often used in high schools and colleges, with students shifting to hour-long instructional periods which allow the material to be studied in greater breadth and depth. In humanities classes, students read a wide gamut of classical texts, including in the original French and Latin, and our STEM classes feature highly advanced curricula that enable students to participate competitively in major international competitions. Our innovative electives program enables students to delve deeper by selecting courses from our selection of carefully-curated academic subjects.
Upon graduation, students will master large swaths of the classical canon, emerging as well-rounded young scholars possessing the knowledge and dispositions to succeed not only in the next stage of their formal education, but also in the next stages of life. In this way, our students embark on a voyage of the intellect across epochs and continents.
Electives
Alongside our core courses, our unique elective program enables students to pursue a range of rigorous additional academic interests such as coding and robotics, art studio, art history, French and Shakespeare performance, prestigious international math and science competitions, debate, classical readings, and Hebrew language.