Nuntium - Grace Classical Academy

February 2005
Nuntium
A Newsletter of Grace Classical Academy
Significant GCA Growth
Grace Classical Academy began the Fall 2004 school year by welcoming many new students
to classes headed by a total of seven teachers (up from three least year) that began on September
8. We praise God for the tremendous growth He has given us! The grammar students (K-5) got off
to a quick start memorizing Scripture passages and math facts, singing Latin songs and reading
classic books on the history of Egypt and the pyramids to fantasies like Chronicles of Narnia.
This year we were especially excited to have a dedicated music teacher, Mrs. Zuehlsdorff, hold classes
in music theory and to direct our first Grace Academy choir program. The older students in the
grade 6-7-8 benefited from Ms. Pendergraft showing them the finer points of logic and guiding
them through the maze of algebra and geometry. We look forward to an exciting year and even
more that will await us for next year!
Volume 2, Number 1
Grace Classical Academy
P.O. Box 6539
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607
(949) 481-9250
GraceClassicalAcademy.com
” Let every student be plainly
instructed and earnestly pressed to
consider well the main end of his
life and studies is to know God and
Jesus Christ which is eternal life,
John 17:3, and therefore to lay
Christ in the bottom, as the only
foundation of all sound knowledge
and learning. ”
Harvard, Rules and Precepts
The new larger GCA visiting the Getty Museum in November 2004
Revolution at Riley’s Farm
Our first school-wide field trip of the year
explored the farm life of rural America in
the 1700s and the Revolutionary War. The
whole school turned out for the Revolutionary
War tour and fantastic apple pie at Riley’s
Farm in Oak Glen on October 29th. This year
the school journeyed earlier than last year
so the weather was not as chilly. Students
received hands-on demonstrations of colonial
American life with children’s games, butter
making, weaving and cider pressing. They
not only touched but tasted life as it really
was with a ‘soldier’s ration’ of cheese, jerked
beef, wheat bread, cider and fruit for lunch,
followed by participating in a re-enacted
battle of St. George’s Tavern between British
and Colonial soldiers with wooden rifles and
hard-driving regiment captains. After their
return, students in different grades continued
learning about our own American history,
especially around Columbus Day and the
presidential election. Students have learned
to value our heritage and the wonderful
blessings God has given us in the USA.
Riley’s Farm, October 2004
GCA Revolutionaries, October 2004
Tanaka Farms, October 2004
Mrs. Helj, Catechism recital
Reformation Event at GCA
On Saturday evening, October 30th, Grace Classical Academy
celebrated the Protestant Reformation of the church with a
night of singing, presentations and a walk of history as students
presented four significant contributors to the Reformation—
Wycliffe, Luther, Bucer and Calvin. After the K-1st Grade presented their picture project (with the help of Mr. Keller) and
sang ”Who Will Buy,” the GCA choir sang Psalm 150. They were
joined by all the students for the traditional rounds of ”Dona
Nobis Pacem” and ”Jubilate Deo.”
After the calligraphy and costume contests, each grade presented
the ”Heroes of the Reformation” and treated the audience to
over two centuries of history by presenting some of the men
used by God to reform the church and bring back the Scriptures
as our authority and the truth of our being justified by grace
through faith in Christ alone.
The night ended with ”A Mighty Fortress”, a ‘taste of the
Middle Ages’ (thanks to Gilda Duhs and her army of cooks)
and an open house for the parents to check out the classrooms
and student projects. We owe a special thank you to Mrs.
Zuehlsdorff for coordinating our Reformation Event. Thanks
to all the friends and families who volunteered and contributed
to a memorable evening!
Parents Comment on the First Months of School
Most students who arrived this fall were new to Grace Classical
Academy and perhaps did not know quite what to expect.
The same could be said for the parents. The vast majority of
families had no experience with classical Christian schools and
only the original students from last year knew what might
be in store. As soon as the students shook off the summer
routine and got to work, they quickly realized that they loved
learning and enjoyed the classes; but what about the parents?
There was no shortage of parent comments after the first few
weeks. Parents could not quite believe their ears hearing that
their children were a bit sad on Saturday morning because
there was no school (OK, some were more sad than others!).
As soon as the children entered class, they saw their teachers
were excited about studying the Bible and learning the
languages, history and math. The students noticed this
quickly and realized that classes at a classical school—while
they can be difficult at times—are fascinating and give a
sense of accomplishment.
”Our son is simply full of joy!” said one. Another could not
believe their children were sad with no school on weekends.
”The teachers and staff are very equipped at what they do
and teach,” said another. This parent went on to say, ”the
families are wonderful; it’s a joy to do things or help because
the efforts help the children—they are like ”sponges” with
love for learning.”
Another parent wrote about their daughter, ”She loves
school! She loves to learn. She is self-motivated, disciplined
and desires to excel and be the best for the Lord.” Some also
noted a change in their child’s musical tastes from simple kids’
songs to hymns and classical music. ”My daughter’s favorite
radio station is KMOZART 105.1.”
Parents also commented on how they appreciated being part
of a school with like-minded families that reinforce the
biblical guidance and training students receive at home.
Some other benefits that many parents soon noted about GCA:
• Excitement about learning and school
• Studies that presented a challenge but not frustration
• Biblical knowledge—students memorizing Scripture and
catechism
• Singing Latin songs for fun
• Students quickly making friends with children of likeminded families
www.GraceClassicalAcademy.com