Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Charis Classical Academy is a 501(c )(3) non-profit corporation formed in the state of Wisconsin and will be governed by a Board of Directors.  

No, the school is a nondenominational organization governed by a board of men and women from this community.

Yes. Our standards either parallel or exceed state requirements. We are certified through the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS)  

During home days, parents will need to spend intentional time leading their child in application of concepts taught at school.  Parents will act as co-instructors under the guidance of the classroom teacher.  The number of hours required will vary depending on the age of the child and their individual needs. 

Collaborative, private schools  and homeschool co-ops each have distinctives that should be noted. 

Homeschool co-ops are a good way for homeschooling families to pool their resources and expertise for specific and usually short-term study projects.  One parent, for instance, may be especially proficient in math or science and teach a group of students that subject for a period of time.  Generally speaking, homeschool co-ops are age-integrated, specialized, parent-run and do not simulate a college structure. 

Collaborative private schools are different by virtue of having specific grade levels, consistent accountability from semester to semester, a full spectrum of courses complete with prerequisites and diploma plans, and a professional administration and faculty (much like a traditional school would have) alongside heavy parental involvement.

The curriculum at Charis is chosen by a team of teachers and staff.  Much research and prayer is put into each decision.  Prospective curriculum must be of high quality and conducive to our high standards in classical education.  In addition, it must fit well within the university model format allowing both primary teachers and co-teachers to effectively administer it in the formal classroom, as well as the satellite classroom at home.  Each year we will evaluate the curriculum and make changes as needed. 

Classroom teachers will teach the key objectives in class and assign reinforcement or application activities to be completed at home.  Weekly lesson plans for both the classroom and the satellite classroom (the home) will be available prior to the beginning of each school week.  The co- teacher is encouraged to print off plans for the week and to prepare for the assignments in advance. 

After registration, Charis Academy provides parents with a comprehensive list of books and resources, by grade, which will be required for students in the following school year.  

Yes, every student accepted into Charis in grades 1 and above will be required to take part in our placement testing as part of our admissions process. Standardized testing is also administered in the spring of grades 4, 8, and 10th and College Admissions Testing in Grade 11. 

Communication is key in our model.  Teachers communicate frequently with parents via ClassReach, phone and in face-to-face meetings. 

Yes.  For more information, see our Uniform Policy.

CCA students are well prepared not only for excelling in college classes, but also in navigating early adulthood with practice in organization, communication, and utilization of executive function skills.

Here is an exciting and thorough study done on Classical Education.

We instruct our students in Latin and Greek for a couple of reasons. First, both are foundational languages. As such their study deepens students’ understanding of English grammar while expanding their vocabulary, which helps them develop into stronger readers and better writers. The study of Latin and Greek also equips them to learn other languages later in life. Finally, being able to read these languages allows students to check primary sources themselves instead of having to rely on the authority or interpretation of others. This is particularly important when reading and interpreting the Bible. 

While we do learn about cultures from around the world, the emphasis is on Western Civilization as we walk through history and focus on great books. No matter where our ancestors came from, as Americans we are members of Western Civilization. We cannot understand the world we live in without understanding the events, people, and ideas that have formed and shaped our civilization.

Instead of reading a modern professor’s interpretation of the growth and development of our civilization, we read the first-hand accounts of those that made and witnessed history. Our students let the Greeks and Romans themselves speak about their histories; they read the great works of literature from Homer, to Dante, to Shakespeare; and they dive into controversies in economics, philosophy, and theology. In so doing they grow in their ability to both understand and critique modern thoughts and ideas in a wide array of disciplines. Moreover, an education infused with purpose and focused around great books produces lifelong learners that love to learn.

Classical schools are most often characterized as bodybuilders of the humanities, but wimps when it comes to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Classical education first and foremost prepares students for STEM by giving them tools of learning and assessing the world around them.  At Charis, we strive to train our students not only in humanities and the arts, but in all fields of study.

• Grammar school students lay a foundation by observing and recording in nature study and using living books to learn about the world of science.
• Logic and rhetoric students focus on integrating subjects and mastering concepts. Students may be asked to study key historical figures and movements to understand how changes in philosophy preceded a development in math or science. 
• Like all courses at Charis, math and science utilize living books, observation, experimentation, and socratic discussions to provoke delight and wonder and guide students in their discovery of truth.
• Our science program attempts to revise the traditional order of biology, chemistry, physics to align with the math curriculum and order these sciences in a more natural way. Our typical science curriculum sequence includes biology, physics, chemistry, and then anatomy & physiology.
• Our typical math sequence runs geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry/PreCalc, and senior options such as: statistics, calculus, or math application.