In 2007, Saint Agnes School in St. Paul, Minnesota, faced a serious crisis. With enrollment plummeting, this long-standing institution was on the brink of closing its doors. Fast forward to today, and the school has made a remarkable comeback, more than doubling its student body to 835 and undergoing $20 million in campus improvements. This turnaround has caught the attention of education reformers, especially as Saint Agnes is a finalist for Hillsdale College’s Henry Salvatori Award in 2024.
The school’s revival is largely due to a bold shift in its curriculum. Instead of relying on new fundraising efforts or marketing tactics, Saint Agnes focused on enhancing its academic offerings. It introduced more challenging courses in subjects like math and history, while also encouraging students to engage in discussions about life’s essential questions, such as love, suffering, and justice. The school even restructured its extracurricular activities to help students develop their moral and religious values.
This approach, often referred to as a "classical curriculum," has sparked a broader movement in education. According to a recent survey by the Heritage Foundation, there are now over 1,000 classical parochial schools in the United States, many affiliated with various Christian denominations. In addition, new Hebrew programs like Emet Classical Academy in Manhattan and Havruta in Austin, Texas, have emerged, reflecting the growing interest in classical education.
Homeschooling families have long favored classical curricula from organizations like Classical Conversations and Veritas Press. These programs have also gained popularity among the 95,000 parent-run microschools that have flourished since the pandemic. A study by Arcadia Education consultants revealed that homeschooling and microschools now account for 39% of U.S. students receiving a classical education.
Interestingly, some public charter schools have also adopted classical education models, often driven by local community efforts. Since 2012, Hillsdale College and the Barney Family Foundation have launched numerous classical charter schools, serving over 14,500 K-12 students, with many more on waiting lists.
However, not all classical education programs are identical. Classical charter schools must adhere to public school regulations, which can limit religious teachings. Additionally, there are different teaching methods within classical education, often divided into three stages: basic fact assimilation, logical reasoning, and clear communication.
At its core, classical education emphasizes the importance of not just memorizing facts but also developing critical thinking skills and the ability to articulate ideas. Many programs rely on the great works of Western literature to instill ethical and civic values, using texts that influenced America’s Founders.
Parents are increasingly drawn to classical education as an alternative to the progressive ideologies prevalent in many schools. This shift has been noted by education experts, who see classical schools as a response to America’s cultural divide. Classically educated students are not only excelling academically but also achieving higher standardized test scores and college acceptance rates compared to their peers in traditional schools.
The growing interest in classical education is evident, with attendance at the National Symposium for Classical Education skyrocketing from 65 participants in 2021 to over 850 in 2024. Educators are recognizing that classical education can produce students with superior cognitive abilities across various learning environments, making it accessible to families willing to pursue it.
This movement suggests a new kind of elite in America, one not defined by race, class, or connections, but by a shared understanding of what it means to be a good person and to think independently.