FAQ

Looking to read a modern book that explains our educational approach?
Here are a few of our favorites:

Leisure, The Basis of Culture – Joseph Pieper
Love What Lasts – Joshua Gibbs
Norms and Nobility – David Hicks
On Beauty – Roger Scruton
The Abolition of Man – C.S. Lewis
The Death of Christian Culture – John Senior
The Reconstruction of Christian Culture – John Senior
What Are People For – Wendell Berry

Q: Where did the school’s name come from?
A: Francis of Assisi lived a beautiful life, worthy of imitation. We pray his prayer for peace regularly. If you’d like to read a brief biography of the Saint, G.K. Chesterton wrote a wonderful one called simply: Saint Francis of Assisi.

Q: Is this a Catholic school?
A: St. Francis Classical was founded by Reformed Christians, but is an assemblage of Christians from several traditions. We are pleased to have staff, families, and supporters who are Anglican, Baptist,  Reformed, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox. We welcome all who are baptized in God’s triune name and confess the incarnation, death, and resurrection of our Lord as expressed in the Nicene Creed.

Q: Why is baptism a prerequisite for admission?
A: St. Francis Classical is a discipleship model school. Our goal is not to make new Christians, but to help parents train up their children in the way of Yahweh. We believe, in accord with the Scriptures and the historic teaching of the Church, that baptism is the sacrament applied to an individual by the Church, in obedience to Christ’s command, that joins him to the Body of Christ. As such, it is an appropriate prerequisite to admission into a discipleship school.

Q: Are you technically a private school?
A: We’re classified as a “Home Education Instructional Institution.” Because we’re not a private school, we can provide homeschool families part-time options, four day school weeks, and Field Day Fridays. We have tremendous flexibility to provide classical instruction in the ways we see fit, on the schedule we see fit.

Q: Do you grant diplomas?
A: We do not. Because our students are homeschoolers, families are individually responsible to keep records and create homeschool transcripts when their students graduate, but we’re happy to help.

Q: Can we pay tuition with money from our family’s Step Up for Students account?
A: Yes. Families participating in the PEP (Personal Education Program) can pay tuition on Step Up for Students‘ online marketplace.

Q: Can I pay tuition over time?
A: Yes. Many families pay over 10 months.

Q: Do you have a sports program?
A: No. But many of our students choose to participate once a week in intramural extracurriculars.

Q: What are Field Day Fridays?
A: In the spirit of broad and beautiful education, the Tutors at St. Francis Classical offer once-a-month Field Day Fridays to any student enrolled in at least one class. Attendance at Field Day Fridays is entirely optional. Activities are announced ahead of time and may include lessons and hands-on experience with the following:

Beekeeping
Gardening
Millinery
Sewing
Drawing
Painting
Bread Baking
Horseback Riding
Auto Repair and Maintenance
Animal Husbandry
Butchery
Pasture Management
Wood Splitting
Knot Tying
Sailing
Seine and Cast Net Fishing

Q: May parents and other siblings come to Field Day Fridays?
A: Absolutely. We value the involvement of parents and siblings and the fellowship that accompanies Field Days. We simply ask that parents consider the kinds of activities being held on those days, and that parents take responsibility for the care of their own children.

Q: How do combined classes work?
A: For Humanities courses, Tutors with students from multiple grade levels present lessons to the entire class, expecting students to glean from the lessons at different levels. Assessments and assignments are tailored to the student.
In Math and Science courses, Tutors with students from multiple grade levels present lessons to the entire class whenever possible, and spend time with students from each grade level, instructing them in their specific discipline. Through careful classroom management, Tutors ensure that there is never any downtime and that students have the instruction and attention they need to understand the material presented. If you’d like to see our Tutors in action, we’re always happy for parents to come observe in the classroom.