jennynd Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 I found this school in my area by accident. It seem really interesting. what do u think?? http://www.augustineca.org/Welcome.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 Seems amazing. But I live in Texas. It gives the impression they are very committed to the path of a Biblical Classical School model. I thought the acceptance of homeschoolers for arts and sports classes as well as other math and science courses very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennynd Posted June 6, 2011 Author Share Posted June 6, 2011 the picture shows Jacob's geometry that made me feel good that they know what they are doing. Also latin, fencing rowing. That really looks like a lot of fun.. Small size of class. my son is a rising 2nd gade. I am not sure I will put him there this year. But It really looks like a good school going between private school and homeschool.. more comments please... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa B Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 It looks as if they don't plan to have a 2nd or 3rd grade next year, so you have at least one more year to think about it and see how the school progresses. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattamhop Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 All, My name is Matt Hopkins and I am headmaster at Augustine Classical Academy. Thanks for the interest and kind words about our school. I couldn't think of a better place than the WTM website for our school to be discussed. Most of us associated with the start of ACA were very inspired by WTM and we often read to each other the opening narrative about "Imagine a school...... this book is for the rest of us". We very much took that to heart and are committed to being that school for those of us that live in Saratoga County (though we have some families from Schenectady County and even Washington County). Please take a moment to give our website a look as much has changed since this thread started last year. We have a new location, many new teachers and students, and a rapidly growing grammar school. Our commitment to small classes (12), a biblically consistent curriculum, methodology, and pedagogy, as well as our commitment to being a school and not an all-consuming-family-and-church-time usurper remain intact. Soli Deo Gloria! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Ok, this is curious: Parents should be aware that in the event that your local public school district does not provide all of the requested textbooks that your child needs, the cost of excluded books will be borne by the families. In the 2010-11 school year, the majority of our families had the majority of their textbooks provided by their local school district per NYS Education Law. While ACA will coordinate the purchase of excluded books, students are welcome to use their own editions, purchase used ones, or use borrowed library books to cut costs. Students at private religious schools get their textbooks from the local public school?:confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennynd Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 All,My name is Matt Hopkins and I am headmaster at Augustine Classical Academy. Thanks for the interest and kind words about our school. I couldn't think of a better place than the WTM website for our school to be discussed. Most of us associated with the start of ACA were very inspired by WTM and we often read to each other the opening narrative about "Imagine a school...... this book is for the rest of us". We very much took that to heart and are committed to being that school for those of us that live in Saratoga County (though we have some families from Schenectady County and even Washington County). Please take a moment to give our website a look as much has changed since this thread started last year. We have a new location, many new teachers and students, and a rapidly growing grammar school. Our commitment to small classes (12), a biblically consistent curriculum, methodology, and pedagogy, as well as our commitment to being a school and not an all-consuming-family-and-church-time usurper remain intact. Soli Deo Gloria! Thank you, I will sure try to make the open house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennynd Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Ok, this is curious: Students at private religious schools get their textbooks from the local public school?:confused: Yes, in NY, private school "borrow" book from the school district and only pay consumable books. DS is currently in another private school and we don't pay textbook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 The wording on this part makes me uncomfortable. The child should understand that his/her parents have, in a limited sense, delegated their authority to the school. Therefore, he/she is subject to the instruction and discipline of the faculty and staff in their prescribed roles at Augustine Classical Academy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattamhop Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Woolybear, Is your lack of comfort with our choice of words (as you you understand the concept of in loco parentis but think we have worded it poorly) or with the idea that a parent would yield their authority (in a very limited manner) to anyone? Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Woolybear,Is your lack of comfort with our choice of words (as you you understand the concept of in loco parentis but think we have worded it poorly) or with the idea that a parent would yield their authority (in a very limited manner) to anyone? Matt It read a bit odd to me also, at first. Then I read it again and it makes sense when you note the "limited" nature of it. It's unfortnuate that a school would need to state this or that a student wouldn't already know that the school does have rules that must be followed but it is a sign of the times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
table4five Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Here is one similar in my area :001_smile: http://www.trinitasclassical.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 It looks fantastic. Truly a blessing to that area, I'm sure- to have that option. But the uniforms are hideous. Those poor girls. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Yeah, talk about a kick in the head considering that in NY they don't have to loan books to homeschoolers. Public schools provide transportation for private schools as well in NY. Really? Wow! That's totally nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattamhop Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Fun thoughts all: Regarding our in loco parentis statement. It is not so much driven by needing to let the students know where the limits are, but rather by the need to make clear that the source of our authority is the parents and not the institution of "school". Regarding text books in NY: It certainly is a very peculiar situation. The law is rooted in a notion that government schools ("publicly funded schools") should provide for all of the students who live in the district. They provide text books and bussing for the independent school students. My persistent questions related to this are: Why does NY embrace this and reject vouchers for independently educated students (schooled, homeschooled, or otherwise)? How can the schools reject some text books because of "religious" content when any thinking person knows that there is no such thing as a book without a worldview. Choosing one worldview over another amounts to the establishment of that worldview by the state and that dear friends is a direct violation of the 1st amendment. Regarding our uniforms for the girls: They really like them. The skirts are all gray and come in three different styles, the blouses are pretty standard. The only signature item are the ties which the girls asked for. The boys have a custom silk tie (stripes for rhetoric, dots for dialectic) that they have wear in three styles of long, and three styles of bow (their choice). The girls felt left out and worked with the tie maker for the feminine version for the girls. Not all were sold, but they have caught on and certainly any uniform will have its detractors. Finally regarding homeschoolers having access to textbooks. At the center of this is the popular notion that homeschooling = no-schooling. I have coached a team of homeschool rowers who compete entirely against other scholastic teams. We have an annual go round with these school folks explaining to them that homeschooling is called "homeschooling" because it is well....school. It is my opinion that homeschooling is no more different from corporate schooling than independent schools are different from government schools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennynd Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 I don't really have a problem with school discipline my kids. That was how I grow up that teacher had total authority. However, I will like to be informed and discussed with before any discipline put on my children. There are things that jut kids been kids. there are things truely needed to be addressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I knew someone would agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 double post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I think private school is VERY cheap where you live! Here is the one near us: Trinity School Note the tuition - $8340 for 1/2 day K, up to $15,370 for Grades 9-12 They can get it, too - the schools here are that bad.:tongue_smilie: BTW, that isn't the most expensive school - another local school is $18000+ for elementary and $19000+ for high school.:001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I am curious about the content of an analytic science class offered to all grade levels. If you are still here, Matt, would you please tell us about your science curriculum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) I would certainly go to the open house, if it were in my area. Some of my questions would be about accreditation -- I would want to know very specifically where they were in the process and also about any concerns expressed by the accrediting agency up to this point. One concern that I have is about the science program -- it looks like three years of physics in grades 9-12. NY State generally requires a year of life science (and I think? private schools are supposed to offer a substantially equivalent curriculum). If I had a science-y kid, the limited science would be a drawback. On the other hand, it looks as though the only math option for 12th grade is calculus? I haven't read through the whole website, but I would want to know what happens with a non-mathy child. I'd also ask about where graduates have gone to college. I'd want to know if the school is for profit or non-profit. And, since I see the school is using church facilities, I'd want to make sure all the cert of occupancy & fire codes are being followed. Oh, gosh, what I have written sounds so picky! That is just me -- I actually liked the website. Good luck! ETA I just looked at the schedules for 2011-13 -- they fixed up the science. The 'Schedules' offerings are different from the offerings in the 'Academics' section. Someone should coordinate this. Edited November 9, 2011 by Alessandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaLee Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I rather like the uniforms. I think they are very classy as far as uniforms go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattamhop Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Dear Alessandra and nrg, The story of our science program begins with us being a brand new school. We had 9 students in our first year 17 in year two, and currently have 31 in our upper school. These small numbers means that for much of our curriculum currently taught there is a difference between what we are currently doing with our limited number of student and what we plan to do once we are fully enrolled. This is the reason for the two sets of information on our website. We have a list of our current offerings (practical reality) and then a list of our intended offerings (our ideal). For the most part the difference amounts to when courses are offered. This is especially true for our science courses where we have had at least two grades grouped in a class for each of our first three years. We will confess that we are attracted to a "Physics First" approach to the natural sciences. Even though we are pursuing that course right now, without a head of our science dept. we are waiting for that hire to be in place before we make and large curricular commitments like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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