FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  What is a “Classical Education”?

A:  A classical education, centered on the ancient Trivium of grammar, logic (dialectic) and rhetoric, is an education in the liberal arts and sciences that invites each student to take part in the “great conversation” of human intellectual history.  Young classical scholars read the canon of great books – especially the classics of ancient Greece and Rome – that lie at the core of this history of ideas, learn to make connections between the concepts to which they are exposed, and ultimately are trained to express their own ideas with power, persuasion and clarity. [Top]

Q:  What do you mean when you say Latin will be a “socially responsible independent school”?

A:  Latin will open its doors with the highest graduation requirements and academic standards of any independent school in the region.  At the same time, however, we recognize that the talents of some very gifted children lie buried due to their economic station and previous educational opportunities.  Therefore, the School employs a recruitment and admissions policy that seeks out students from every quarter who show the aptitude for high achievement, the eagerness to learn and the willingness to work. [Top]

Q:  When will the School open and what grades will it serve?

A:  The first day of classes will be Tuesday, September 8, 2009, and all plans are on schedule to open the finest independent school in the city on that day! During 2009-2010, Latin will be offering grades five through eight.  Each year thereafter, the School will expand by one grade level in each direction (i.e. in year two we will offer grades four through nine, in year three, grades three through ten, etc.) until the School reaches its full K-12 complement.

If your child does not fit into the grade levels that we are offering, please note that there are special opportunities available for tutorial-style instruction (small group learning with a dedicated faculty mentor) in order to provide our classical curriculum to students who, because of age, do no correspond to the grade levels we are offering.  Contact the Head Master for more information on this very unique opportunity. [Top]

Q:  Where will the School be located?

A:   The location of the School has not been finalized, but the site team is already exploring suitable properties.  The criteria for the site of the School are 1) a location on or near the national mall, so that the School can take advantage of the educational opportunities uniquely available in federal Washington; 2) proximity to a metro station, so that the School will be accessible to families from around the metro DC-MD-VA area; 3) a traditional property that reflects the dignity and character of our educational programs.  The site team is currently researching properties in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington.  More information will be posted as it becomes available, and leads from prospective parents are always welcome. [Top]

Q:  How many students will be in a class at Latin?

A:   In grades five and six, there will be twenty students in each homeroom, which will be staffed by one lead teacher and one full-time teaching fellow.  Therefore, the student to teacher ratio in these grades will be 10:1.  In grades seven and eight (“Form I” and “Form II” respectively) students will travel from class to class in cohorts of fourteen. [Top]

Q:  How much will it cost to attend Latin?

A:  There are a number of different tuition plans, including incentives for early admission and for hosting an out-of-region or international student.  Please consult the Tuition & Fee Schedule for complete details. [Top]

Q:  Is there financial aid available to help me finance the cost of education?

A:  The School and its parent corporation are assiduously seeking support from individuals, corporations and foundations in order to raise funds to provide need-based scholarship opportunities.  We expect that there will be a limited amount of need-based tuition assistance available in the School’s first year of operations.  We also recommend that prospective parents explore external financing options, including tuition management programs (monthly payment options) and traditional education loan programs. [Top]

Q:  How has the School been organized?

A:  The Washington Latin School™ is a wholly owned and operated subsidiary of The Fund for Classical Education, Inc., a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the advancement of classical education throughout the United States and around the world.  The Washington Latin School here in the nation’s capital is the flagship endeavor of the Fund.  Click here to visit the home page of the Fund, where you will find more information on some of its other ventures, including the Center for Educational Equality. [Top]

Q:  Isn’t there another school with a similar name? 

A:  The founding group of The Washington Latin School also established a prototype public charter school with a similar name.  However, there is no relationship between the two institutions.  The Washington Latin School™ and its proprietary New Classics™ curriculum are registered trademarks of The Fund for Classical Education, Inc. [Top]

Q:  How can I get involved to help the School get started?

A:  There are a number of ways that a prospective parent can get involved.  The easiest way is to spread the word about Latin to parents you think might also be interested – word of mouth is the best advertising!  Better yet, you could volunteer to host an admissions info-session in your home, where a handful of interested families could meet the Head Master and get more information about the School and its offerings.  Of course, tax-deductible financial gifts, especially in this pre-startup year, are especially welcome.  If you are interested in helping out, please know that your generosity is greatly appreciated, and please e-mail the Head Master for more information. [Top]

More About Latin

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• FAQ