Rows of scholars kneel in silence before the Blessed Sacrament. Children crowd around a tree, carefully drawing the veins of an oak leaf. Students sit in a circle, reading aloud Dante’s Paradiso. Kindergarteners excitedly discuss Monet’s Water Lilies. High school students give a speech proposing a new law and taking questions from their classmates.

This is Catholic, classical, liberal arts education, a philosophy of education that cultivates the entire student – mind, spirit, soul, and body. At Holy Innocents School, our pedagogy and curriculum opens the hearts of our students to a real encounter with the world, with each other, and with God himself. It is a humane education, one focused on growing scholars into saints. 

At the center of our approach is teaching the ancient tradition of the artes liberales, the liberal arts, including among others Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, Arithmetic, Astronomy, and Music. St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, among others, teach that these arts prepare the ground of a students’ heart for the pursuit of wisdom throughout his life. These studies are grounded in living ideas, are integrated across the subjects, and seek to engage the whole of the student. 

So our classrooms are different, because our aims are much higher. We read lots of books, and we discuss them. We avoid electronics as much as possible; we go outside as much as we can. We sing, we draw, and we paint, regardless of talent, because we believe beauty is a human need. We spend time contemplating the most beautiful things ever written, ever thought, ever painted, ever sung. We look, not just at a student’s performance, but at his growth in character. We always make time to pray. 

When you choose classical education for your child, you choose a life-giving education, one that builds them up as people, one that prepares them, not just for a future career, but for a future life well lived. 

- Mrs. Kiernan Fiore - Dean of Curriculum

In Catholic Classical Education, students engage in the study of classical subjects such as Latin, literature, history, mathematics, and the natural sciences. They also explore the great works of Western civilization, gaining a deep appreciation for the wisdom of the ages.

This approach to education offers numerous benefits for our students and families:

Intellectual Excellence: Catholic Classical Education encourages students to think critically, reason logically, and communicate effectively. It provides a solid academic foundation that prepares them for future success.

Moral Formation: By integrating Catholic values into every aspect of learning, students develop a strong moral compass and a deep sense of virtue. They learn to make ethical decisions and act with integrity.

Spiritual Growth: The Catholic Classical approach fosters a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and encourages students to cultivate a personal relationship with God. It helps them develop a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Cultural Appreciation: Students gain an appreciation for the beauty, art, and literature of Western civilization. They learn from the great thinkers and creators of the past, helping them become well-rounded individuals.

Preparation for Life: Catholic Classical Education equips students with the skills and virtues necessary for a lifetime of learning and service. It empowers them to become responsible, engaged citizens who contribute positively to society.