Hi Stella! I love this!! But I always love what you have to say. Great to see you here!
I have been in CC more than 10 years now, and felt the same way my first year. I almost didn't come back after the break that first year. I almost quit at the end of the year.
It's not for everyone, but I am glad we stayed with it.
I have heard a lot of people be critical of CC very openly both within and outside of CC about issues with CC.
To answer the OP's question - there are different opinions what what makes an education classical. The classical approach that CC uses is a valid classical approach. It's not the only one, but it is classical.
The conversations aren't in the Foundations classroom. It's about engaging in "The Great Conversation" and not about what they do on a single day. And CC started with Challenge first. Challenge is very conversational.
I do find it to be both.