Academics at MCA

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The academic levels at MCA, listed on the "Our School" page, reflect MCA's classical, mastery-based curriculum and are not direct equivalents to public school grade levels. As our school grows, our classical sequence will continue to expand beyond the Grammar years into the Logic and Rhetoric Schools, with each stage building upon the knowledge, habits, and skills developed in the preceding stage. A student’s age and previous grade level—whether from homeschool, private school, or public school—is helpful information, but it is only one consideration in determining appropriate placement. Our curriculum is rigorous, ordered, and intentionally sequenced, with each level building upon the knowledge and skills established in the previous one. Students are expected to master foundational skills before advancing to more complex material. Alongside reading, writing, and arithmetic, students receive instruction in Bible, Latin, geography, history, art, music, and daily P.E. & calisthenics. Classical Studies and Greek are introduced in the upper grammar years. Because our scope and sequence differs from public school grade-level standards, students must be assessed before placement and may also be reassessed during the first few days of school. In some cases, spending time with students in the classroom, and observing their learning firsthand, provides a more accurate picture of their readiness than a one-hour or two-hour summer assessment. Beginning our school year with a half week allows our teachers time to observe students, become familiar with their strengths and areas for growth, and make thoughtful placement decisions when needed. Parents should not be surprised or upset if their students are moved to different classes. ​Again, our responsibility is to place each student according to demonstrated mastery and developmental readiness, not simply age or previous grade level. This helps to ensure that each student is appropriately challenged and able to progress with confidence and excellence, which in turn helps them to love school. Our aim is not merely academic advancement, but the formation of students who love what is true, good, and beautiful, and who seek to know and glorify God through their learning.