Grades 9-12
Welcome to Cincinnati Classical Academy, a Hillsdale College K-12 member school proudly serving students from across southwestern Ohio. As you consider the educational path for your sons and daughters, we invite you to explore the unique opportunities our school offers.
Cincinnati Classical Academy is one of more than 25 tuition-free charter schools across the nation to be a part of Hillsdale College’s BCSI Initiative, an ambitious program to establish and sustain classical liberal arts education throughout the United States. Like all of the highly successful Hillsdale-affiliated schools, CLASSICAL emphasizes intellectual rigor, human virtue, moral character, and responsible citizenship.
Grades 9-12 Curriculum Highlights
In high school, students will receive a content-rich classical liberal arts education through a curriculum in literature, math, history, civics, the sciences, music and art that will align with and exceed state standards. Highlights include:
- Four years of history: Ancient History (Grade 9), Middle Ages through Enlightenment (Grade 10), American History (Grade 11), and Modern European History (Grade 12)
- Four years of literature: Ancient Literature (Grade 9), British Literature (Grade 10), American Literature (Grade 11), and Modern Literature (Grade 12)
- Four years of science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy or AP study)
- Four years of math (Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-calculus/Trigonometry, and Calculus)
- At least three years of world language
- Core requirements in American Government, Moral Philosophy, Logic, Rhetoric, and Economics
- Electives in studio art, music, personal finance, and entrepreneur studies
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level classes that follow a curriculum set by the College Board. These courses are designed to provide students with the opportunity to experience college-level coursework while still in high school.
- AP Art History
- AP Art + Design
- AP Biology
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Chemistry
- AP Statistics
- AP English Literature & Composition
- AP French
- AP Latin
- AP Music Composition
- AP Music Theory
- AP Physics: Algebra-Based
- AP Spanish
The Senior Thesis Course
A Culmination of a CLASSICAL Education
The Senior Thesis course at Cincinnati Classical Academy represents the pinnacle of our students’ academic experience, providing them with a final opportunity to reflect on the wisdom gained and to apply the skills honed throughout their education. This course plays an essential role in shaping our students’ intellectual and moral formation.
Portrait of a Graduate
It is our goal that by the end of a Cincinnati Classical education our students will embody the following characteristics, which are essential for civic virtue, moral character, and lifelong learning.
The Classical Odyssey
Explore the rich history, culture, and legacy of classical civilizations while earning academic credit.
This immersive ten-day summer trip to Greece and Italy, offered to CLASSICAL students between their junior and senior years, provides students a unique interdisciplinary educational experience that integrates history, literature, art, and philosophy. Students will engage in guided discussions, reflective journaling, and collaborative projects that deepen their understanding of the classical world and its enduring relevance to contemporary society.
Citadel Life
The CLASSICAL House System
In 2025, Cincinnati Classical Academy will be introducing its “house system” for grades 7-9, and eventually for the entire Upper School (grades 7-12). We believe that implementing a House System, similar to the esteemed traditions found in schools across Europe and Australia, can enhance our Upper School’s sense of community, promote character development, and create a dynamic platform for intramural competition and collaboration.
Sentinel Athletics
Cincinnati Classical Academy’s athletics program is an integral part of our well-rounded classical education. Athletics foster teamwork, build community, and further the pursuit of a formation in our core virtues. We are committed to offering opportunities for our student-athletes to actualize their potential through training and competition. We will derive success in our athletic programs by helping our athletes develop a good rule of life with habitual order.
Varsity Sports:
- Volleyball, Soccer, Cross Country, Football
- Basketball, Wrestling, Tennis, Golf
- Track & Field, Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse
Club Sports:
- Rugby
- Fencing
- Archery
- Taekwondo
- Crew (Rowing)
Sentinel Extracurriculars
Develop essential life skills, form lasting friendships, and cultivate a lifelong passion for learning and growth
Our diverse range of clubs and programs offers students opportunities to explore interests, develop talents, and engage in meaningful experiences outside the classroom. Committed to providing a well-rounded education, these activities empower students to become engaged members of the school community.
- Academic Clubs
- Special Interest Clubs
- Musical Arts
FAQs
Will my student be able to get into a good college if he/she attends CLASSICAL for grades 9-12? I am concerned that colleges may not recognize a classical charter school as a “real school.”
Absolutely! Attending CLASSICAL for grades 9-12 provides students with a comprehensive education that prepares students exceptionally well for college. At the same time, our students will receive a content-rich education in the liberal arts and sciences that will prepare them for a life of human flourishing. CLASSICAL’s curriculum and academic standards meet and often exceed those of traditional high schools. By the time our first graduating class approaches, we are confident that CLASSICAL will be recognized by colleges not only as a legitimate educational institution but also as one of the top schools in the greater Cincinnati area.
Furthermore, we understand the importance of the college application process, which is why we will have a dedicated college counselor and counseling office to support students every step of the way. From selecting the right colleges to preparing application materials and securing scholarships, our college counseling team will guide and assist students in achieving their academic and career goals.
When will my student be introduced to technology so that he/she can be ready to succeed in college and in the work force?
At CLASSICAL, we prioritize the “tried and true” approach to education that values traditional learning methods. While technology plays a significant role in today’s world, we believe in fostering strong foundational skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking, which are best developed through traditional methods such as books and pencil and paper.
However, we will provide opportunities for students to engage with technology in a purposeful and meaningful way. In our high school, students will have access to a research lab as part of our library, where they will learn to conduct real research using academic databases. Further, we will offer an elective course called “Creator Technologies,” detailed in our CLASSICAL 9-12 Prospectus. This course equips students with the mindset necessary to become creators rather than mere consumers of technology.
What will be the policy regarding the use of personal smart devices (phones, watches, etc.) during the high school years at CLASSICAL?
At CLASSICAL, we uphold a policy that promotes a focused and distraction-free learning environment during school hours. Therefore, we will continue to maintain our “no smart devices” policy on campus during the high school years. This policy is in place to support the development of self-discipline and habits of academic integrity among our students.
While personal smart devices such as phones and watches can be valuable tools outside of school hours, we believe that their presence during instructional time can detract from the learning experience and disrupt classroom dynamics. By limiting the use of personal smart devices on campus, we create an environment where students can fully engage in their studies and interact meaningfully with their peers and teachers.
Will my student be taught useful skills like keyboarding or How to Use Excel?
At CLASSICAL, our educational approach focuses on providing students with a comprehensive foundation that extends beyond mere technical skills. While keyboarding and proficiency with software programs like Excel are undoubtedly useful, our curriculum prioritizes the development of essential skills such as grammar, logic, rhetoric, self-discipline, numeracy, literacy, and analytical thinking. These core skills are fundamental to a CLASSICAL education and serve as the building blocks for success in various facets of life, including college, business, civic engagement, and personal relationships. By emphasizing these transferable skills, we equip our students with the tools they need to excel in any field they choose to pursue.
While we recognize the importance of technical skills, our high school curriculum is not designed to focus on teaching them. Instead, we encourage students to explore opportunities outside of the classroom to develop proficiency in areas such as keyboarding and software applications. We are happy to provide recommendations for summer classes and training sessions that can complement our curriculum and further enhance students’ skill sets.
Will my student be able to take electives?
At CLASSICAL, our Hillsdale K-12 curriculum is carefully crafted to provide students with a comprehensive education in core academic disciplines. While our focus is on delivering a prescriptive and ordered curriculum in subjects such as mathematics, science, literature, and history, students will have the opportunity to take semester or year-long elective courses in art, music, theater, and physical education. These co-curricular elective options allow students to take full advantage of a classical education.
Will you be offering Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus classes?
At CLASSICAL, our priority is to provide students with an exceptional classical high school education that aligns with our mission and values. We take pride in our Hillsdale K-12 curriculum and our dedicated, mission-driven faculty members who deliver high-quality instruction to our students. That being said, we do plan to offer a selection of 14 Advanced Placement (AP) courses that are carefully integrated into our curriculum and taught by our qualified faculty members. It’s essential to note that while we will offer AP courses, we will never compromise our mission or values to meet the requirements set forth by external entities such as the College Board or AP curriculum. Our focus remains on providing a rigorous and enriching educational experience that is rooted in classical principles and values.
Regarding College Credit Plus (CCP): While this program allows students to earn college and high school credits simultaneously, we will not actively encourage enrollment in courses outside of our curriculum nor will we forge relationships with local colleges in order to provide our high school students with college credits. We are confident that our curriculum is robust and comprehensive, and we believe that our faculty members are well-equipped to deliver the necessary instruction and serve as positive role models for our students.
Will you offer opportunities for high school dances and other typical high school social events?
Certainly! At CLASSICAL, we believe in providing a well-rounded high school experience that includes opportunities for student socialization and engagement. Therefore, we do plan to offer student activities programming, which will include dances and other social events that are run through our house system, what we call “Citadel Life” in Sentinel lingo.
However, it’s essential to emphasize that our approach to student activities is guided by our mission and values. While we recognize the importance of social events in a high school setting, we will never feel obligated to participate in specific social activities or events simply because other schools do. Instead, we will adapt these events to align with the CLASSICAL way. So, while we will have student dances, it’s important to note that they may take a different form from typical local high school dances. Our goal is to provide enriching and enjoyable experiences for our students while maintaining the integrity of our educational philosophy.