Cincy Classical’s Seven C’s

Bona Verba from the Headmaster

As we embark on another school year at Cincinnati Classical Academy, I extend a warm welcome to both returning families and those who are joining our community for the first time. The beginning of a new academic year is always a time of great anticipation and hope as we recommit ourselves to the mission and vision that guide our school.

Our mission is to develop the minds and nourish the hearts of our students through a content-rich curriculum in the classical liberal arts and sciences, with instruction in moral character and civic virtue. Our vision is to form our students with strong language and reasoning skills, an understanding of the natural world and our nation, and an appreciation of the good, the true, and the beautiful as revealed through our cultural inheritance of Western civilization. These guiding principles shape everything we do at Cincinnati Classical Academy, and they are encapsulated in what we call the Seven C’s: Curiosity, Competency, Creativity, Culture, Compassion, and Content-rich.

Curiosity is the spark that ignites the love of learning. At Cincy Classical, we believe that fostering a sense of wonder in our students is essential to their intellectual growth. We encourage our students to ask questions, explore new ideas, and seek knowledge not just for the sake of academic achievement but for the sheer joy of discovery, and it is through discovery that students begin to appreciate the complexity and beauty of the subjects they study.

Competency speaks to the mastery of skills and knowledge. At Cincinnati Classical, we believe in the importance of developing a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. By emphasizing competency, we ensure that our students are not only well-versed in academic content but also capable of applying what they have learned in meaningful ways. We equip our students with the skills they need to think critically, reason logically, and communicate effectively.

Creativity is a fundamental aspect of problem-solving and innovation. At CLASSICAL, we encourage students to be creators instead of consumers, to use their imagination in all areas of study, and to approach challenges with ingenuity. Our emphasis on the fine arts, storytelling, and Socratic dialogue encourages students to develop their creative abilities. Whether through the fine arts, writing, or scientific exploration, creativity is a key component of our curriculum, helping students to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around them.

Culture represents the shared values, traditions, and knowledge that bind us together as a community. At CLASSICAL, we place a strong emphasis on the Western tradition, including a rich and recurring examination of American literary, moral, philosophical, political, and historical traditions. By immersing our students in this cultural heritage, we help them understand the roots of our society and their place within it.

Compassion is one of our seven core virtues; it is the virtue that connects us to others. At Cincy Classical, we believe that education is not just about intellectual development but about the cultivation of moral character. Through the study of literature, history, and the moral sciences, our students learn to empathize with others, to act with kindness, and to contribute positively to their families and communities.

Finally, our commitment to a Content-rich curriculum ensures that our students are exposed to a broad and deep body of knowledge. From the study of Latin to the exploration of natural sciences, our integrated liberal arts and sciences curriculum is designed to challenge students and provide them with a well-rounded education that prepares them to engage meaningfully with the world around them.

As we move forward into this school year, I encourage you to engage with your children about their experiences at Cincy Classical. Ask them about the questions they’re exploring, the new skills they’re developing, and the cultural stories they’re discovering. Together, let us work to cultivate their curiosity, build their competency, inspire their creativity, and deepen their understanding of the culture and compassion that shape our community.

Thank you for your trust in us as we guide your children on this educational odyssey. I look forward to a year filled with discovery, achievement, and the pursuit of goodness, beauty, and truth.

Torches Up!

Mr. Michael Rose
Headmaster

Michael Rose - Headmaster

Mr. Michael Rose

Meet the Headmaster

Mr. Rose has taught various courses at Brown University, Cincinnati Moeller, and The Summit Country Day School. As a part of his degree work in education, Mr. Rose’s research interests included the Great Books curriculum, the Paideia teaching method, and the “effects of emerging digital technology on student reading, writing, and researching.” Read More