THE CLASSICAL VOLUME 5, NUMBER 3 | FALL 2019 BRINGING LIFE TO THE CLASSROOM TM $2.95 GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD p. 4 INSIDE ... All the Rules You Need p. 16 Is Classical Education Worthwhile? p. 14 National Mock Trial Champs— The Agathos Story p. 20 ClassicalDifference.com Leaders see further. At The King’s College in New York City, learn to view history’s greatest questions in the light of eternal Truth. With access to world-class internships and the sup- port of a close-knit, Christ-centered community, gain the discernment that will help you to chart the way for others. THEKINGSCOLLEGE @ See it for yourself at an Inviso Visit Weekend: tkc.edu/accs ADMISSIONSOFFICE@ TKC.EDU | 212-659-7200 | 56 BROADWAY, NEW YORK NY 10004 Table of Contents ON THE COVER: Great Expectations for the Year Ahead .......................4 Is Classical Education Worthwhile ............................. 14 Grace Expectations ....................................................... 16 National Mock Trial Champs ....................................... 20 INSIDE: ClassicalDifference.com Set Apart ............................................................................6 All citations: ClassicalDifference.com/2019-fall Letters & Notes .................................................................9 The Seven Laws of Expecting..................................... 10 Education's Roadblock ................................................ 18 Connect With Us Down the Hallway......................................................... 26 Facebook.com/TheClassicalDifference ClassicalDifference.com/BaseCampLive From Captain to Headmaster ..................................... 28 Twitter.com/ClassicalChrist Conference Roundup ................................................... 30 Instagram.com/ClassicalDifference ACCS Member Schools ................................................ 36 YouTube.com/TheClassicalDifferenceNetwork ClassicalDifference.com/blog Around the Country ...................................................... 38 Parting Shot .................................................................... 39 NOTES: ClassicalDifference.com/notes |PHOTOS : ClassicalDifference.com/photos SUBMISSIONS: ClassicalDifference.com/submission disco. scio. vivo. THE CLASSICAL DIFFERENCE: Vol. 5, No. 3, Fall 2019. EDITOR IN CHIEF: David Goodwin. MANAGING EDITOR: Stormy Goodwin. ASSISTANT EDITOR: Leah March. DESIGN: Hannah Grieser. CIRCULATION: Robin Maiocca, Leah March. CONTRIBUTORS: Megan Best, Brian Daigle, Tom Garfield, Julie Nagem. ILLUSTRATIONS: Hannah Grieser unless noted. COPY EDITOR: Deb Blakey. INFORMATION: The Classical Difference is a publication of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS). Views expressed in The Classical Difference do not necessarily represent the views of the association or our Leaders members. Our goal is to inform and expand the community of supporters of classical Christian education. The Classical Differ- ence is published four times a year and is mailed, at the request of member schools, to parents who have enrolled in ACCS member see further. schools. If you do not wish to receive this publication, please contact our offices at the email address below. 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WEBSITE: www.ClassicalDifference.com. will help you to chart the way for others. THEKINGSCOLLEGE Custom Tours @ ADVISORY PANEL: “Anyone who doesn't want to miss out on the LESLIE COLLINS: Covenant Academy, Cypress, TX See it for yourself at an Inviso SONMIN CRANE: Rockbridge Academy, Millersville, MD reformational history of Scotland should get in JEANETTE FAULKNER: Grace Classical Christian Academy, Visit Weekend: tkc.edu/accs Granbury, TX touch with Scottish Reformation Tours.” LISA KNODEL: Mars Hill Academy, Mason, OH N.D. Wilson KAREN MOORE: Grace Academy of Georgetown, Georgetown, TX reformationtours.org JULIE NAGEM: Westminster Academy, Memphis, TN MICHELE VERNON: The Ambrose School, Meridian, ID Vol. 5, No. 3 | Fall 2019 3 ADMISSIONSOFFICE@ TKC.EDU | 212-659-7200 | 56 BROADWAY, NEW YORK NY 10004 ■ WELCOME TO THE CLASSICAL DIFFERENCE Providence Classical Christian Classical Christian Providence School, Bothell, WA Bothell, School, laws that tell us how we must groom our yards and what colors we can paint The Great Thing our houses. Our ACCS schools have rules. And rules are necessary. But, expec- about Expectations tations create a community that can make a difference. In Charles Dickens’ 1861 book Great Expectations, Pip In classical schools, good, true, and The Saint Constantine School, Houston, TX beautiful expectations are the engine is a young orphan with no prospects—and no one ex- of an excellent culture that loves the good. Because of this, our schools gen- pects much of him. An anonymous gift of wealth comes erally have a very different look and feel than the school down the street. his way, and things change. He is expected to become a For example, we expect students to have an attitude of respect. If a student gentleman. In this simple synopsis, we catch a glimpse says, “Hey, dude” to an adult volunteer or teacher, he should feel a “twinge” as of a foreign world with an unrecog- decades, these expectations have been soon as the words leave his mouth. nizable worldview. Can you imagine rejected as “prudish,” and then “sham- Oops. A simple raised eyebrow will the next Mega Powerball winner be- ing,” and now “unsafe.” At the same correct the expectation, and things go ing asked, “So, now that you’re ex- time, expectations are being replaced on. If the student doesn’t feel a twinge, pected to become a gentleman, how by laws and rules. An older generation and no eyebrow is raised, our school do you plan to fulfill that duty?” community does not have strong Expectations are the stuff of Our ACCS schools have rules. enough expectations. community. They’re the stuff that We expect a passing student makes us uncomfortable when And rules are necessary. But to offer to help when the custo- we step over that unseen, but un- expectations create a community dian is struggling with the new derstood, line. And, they’re the shipment of paper products. If stuff that makes us more comfort- that can make a difference. he walks on by, his buddy should able as we share expectations that grab a box and say, “Hey Caleb, elevate our children to greater truth, speaks of a time when everyone on the I think we should help.” When Kate goodness, and beauty. The West once street mowed their lawns and paint- and Dylan regularly stand by their had a deep, Christian culture full of ed their houses to be good neighbors. locker in close, exclusive conver- great expectations. In just a few short Now, we have statutes, covenants, and sation, one of Kate’s friends should 4 The Classical Difference WELCOME TO THE CLASSICAL DIFFERENCE ■ come up and say, “Can I join you?” they’re “bullied.” There’s a K–12 ana- with a look that says, “Guys, come log to this. I’ve had moms come to my on—you know this isn’t cool.” Strong office and say, “My child is being bul- communities depend on this type of lied.” When the situation is investigat- culture—fewer rules and higher ex- ed, “bullying” meant that another stu- pectations. dent asked their child to get in line, or Nearly every ACCS school has at stop goofing around, or other similar least one negative Google review. requests, and their child felt “shamed” If you read between the lines, often by this, so they called this bullying. you’ll see a conflict between a school’s Community expectations should expectation and a parent who doesn’t always be lovingly applied, but they like the expectation. The reviews say are also the duty of every member to things like, “There’s no grace at that uphold. We want every student and school,” or “Everyone there is a hyp- every adult in the school to uphold the ocrite,” or “There’s bullying.” Phrases expectations—but this can be difficult like these can be code for a misalign- to do without real or perceived malice ment between a particular parent and or self-righteous intent. Righteous in- the school community’s expectations. dignation has no place in a Christian And because our schools take a stand community. But, without pressure against the prevailing common cul- from peers, the alternative is a com- ture, some families are rubbed the munity where everyone does what is wrong way by higher expectations— right in his own eyes. We’re increas- even ones gracefully applied. ingly facing this in our culture, and we As an example, let’s look at the com- must stand against this in our schools plaint, “There’s bullying.” Real bully- and churches. ing is a problem that should be swiftly