A Very Good Year.

The annual slideshows …

Have a fantastically fun summer! 

Night of the Arts

Making Literature Come Alive

As part of their studies in 19th century history, Grace Classical Academy’s 6th graders read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  And not only do they read it … but, they write a screenplay from it, make/devise and scrimp-from-home the props they need, stage it, and perform this great story for the kindergarten through 5th graders.  It was delightful.  Mrs. Robison truly makes literature and its lessons come alive for her students.

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!"  ...  He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

Making History Come Alive

Grace Classical Academy places a high value on inculcating in its students a love for and knowledge of history.  We start at the very beginning (Genesis) and move through history chronologically.  We don’t arrive at United States history (such a young nation we are!) until 5th & 6th grades.  And we are fortunate to have wonderful local field trip opportunities to supplement our studies.  These students attended Wagons Ho! at Riley’s Farm, where they learned about: assembling equipment/rations/supplies for 1-day on the trail, pulling a handcart, trailside burials, “tying the knot” – literally! – on the trail, military conscription, historical characters, trail food, crafting, archery, and pastime games.  The students, clearly, had an amazing time.

Making Art Come Alive

Study Degas.  Imitate Degas.  (nevermind that the creations perhaps looked more akin to Picasso than to Degas; ‘twas fun and educational, nonetheless!)

Remembering a Very Good Year: Slideshows for GCA's 2013-14 Year

SHAKESPEARE!!!!

“He was not of an age; but for all time.”  ~Ben Jonson

Here at Grace Classical Academy, we consider the purpose of a classical Christian education to be the cultivation of virtue and wisdom, and specifically, truth, beauty and goodness in every aspect of education.  We believe the deep study and performance of Shakespeare is one way we can accomplish this lofty goal. 

“William Shakespeare was the most remarkable storyteller that the world has ever known. Homer told of adventure and men at war, Sophocles and Tolstoy told of tragedies and of people in trouble. Terence and Mark Twain told comedic stories, Dickens told melodramatic ones, Plutarch told histories and Hans Christian Andersen told fairy tales. But Shakespeare told every kind of story – comedy, tragedy, history, melodrama, adventure, love stories and fairy tales – and each of them so well that they have become immortal. In all the world of storytelling he has become the greatest name.” Marchette Chute, Stories from Shakespeare

GCA students have the opportunity, beginning in 5th grade, to participate in a Shakespearean drama, and there is no doubt that The Bard leaves his mark on each and every student performer.  What a blessing!  Without further ado, here are pictures from this year’s production, Taming of the Shrew …

From rehearsal:

And from performance day:
And slideshows from one afternoon’s rehearsal and from the performance:




As can be clearly seen, Shakespeare is the vehicle for so much than just the study of truth, beauty and goodness in stories (tho, that is reason enough to study him!). These students diligently worked hard, memorized line upon line upon line, experienced camaraderie and laughter and encouragement with each other, overcame heeby-jeebies of "dopey" love scenes, triumphed over frustration and insecurity, worked as a team, and delivered a delightful, comic performance. Soli deo gloria!