The Classical Conversations Blog - Post Library

Classical education is not the enemy of creativity in education. It is the very soil where it grows. Jennifer Courtney has spent decades studying classically alongside her children and serving as Chief Academic Officer for Classical Conversations MultiMedia. In this article, Jennifer addresses one of the most persistent myths...

Every parent wants their child to discover what they are made of. Jennifer Leeds has spent years watching that discovery unfold within Classical Conversations communities, not in moments of ease but in moments of effort. In this article, she introduces the National Number Knockout competition and makes the case...

Homeschool history curriculum for elementary students works best when it moves beyond the page and into real life through stories told aloud, timelines drawn by hand, and afternoons spent making things that bring the past forward. Lisa Bailey has spent more than twenty years as a homeschooling mother, a...

Homeschool art activities tied to American history build technique, and give children a language for the story their country is still telling. Writer and educator Kelli Wilt explores how four distinctly American artists featured in Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 3 illuminate different facets of the American experience, each paired...

Classical Christian Homeschooling in June: Prayer, Summer Savings, and a Growing Global Community Welcome to the June edition of Parent Connections, the monthly roundup for Classical Conversations families. This month brings a heartfelt word from CEO Robert Bortins on teaching children to pray, three weeks of summer savings at...

The reasons not to homeschool are real, and most parents considering the decision can name several without much effort. Laura Kooistra, mother of six and a Classical Conversations home educator with more than twenty years of experience, has wrestled with those same doubts year after year. In this article,...

The classical education movement is gaining momentum. Let’s start with some numbers. According to a market analysis conducted by Arcadia Education in 2024, over 677,500 students were enrolled in classical schools nationwide during the 2023–2024 school year (and this number includes homeschoolers following a classical curriculum). The analysis also...

Homeschool myths spread faster than the truth about home education. Families who have built thriving academic environments at home, many of them through the Classical Conversations community, face the same questions year after year: about socialization, college readiness, cost, and whether parents are qualified to teach. This article addresses...

Learning how to do homeschool well starts long before you open a curriculum guide. Classical Conversations has walked alongside tens of thousands of homeschool families for more than two decades, and the patterns of what makes homeschooling both possible and meaningful are clear. These 11 practical keys are drawn...

Cycle 3 Foundations Hands-On Science gives students twenty-four weeks to explore three of God’s great mysteries: the design of the human body, the hidden order of chemistry, and the mathematical patterns that govern what looks like chance. Amy Jones, a long-time Classical Conversations parent and Curriculum Developer for Classical...

Families thrive in Classical Conversations Foundations not by doing everything perfectly, but by staying consistent, trusting the memory work, and rooting daily rhythms in what matters most. If you are new to the program, you may find yourself asking, Am I doing this right? Am I doing enough? These...

The spiritual disciplines for the Christian life are not reserved for the settled years of adulthood. They take root, or they do not, in the seasons that form everything that follows. Dustin Bruce, dean and professor at Boyce College, draws from Ephesians 5:15-17 to identify four habits that equip...

Homeschool programs for high school ask more of parents than many expect, but differently than the early years did. Courtney Sanford has lived this from both sides as a Classical Conversations mom and co-author of Marvelous to Behold, a book woven into the Challenge curriculum. In this article, she...

Raising mission-minded children begins with authentic family worship and parents who model a genuine heart for the nations. It’s funny how much being a parent changes your perspective on things. Everyone tells you it will, and you believe them. Then it happens, and you are still amazed at the...

For many homeschool dads—especially those stepping into the role of stay-at-home parent—the search for a meaningful alternative to public school can feel overwhelming. You want your kids grounded in truth, surrounded by godly families, and shaped by something more lasting than test scores and deadlines. Maybe you’ve felt the...

The Mission of a Good Dad What makes a good father in today’s busy world? Being a dad means more than providing financially—it’s about being present in the moments that truly matter. Many of us grew up with hardworking fathers who missed opportunities to fully engage in our daily...

If you are thinking about starting your homeschool journey, it can seem like a lonely endeavor. Making the switch from traditional public or private school to home education is a big transition, but reclaiming family-centered learning doesn’t have to be in isolation. Homeschooling is better with a friend. At...

Meet Nathan Williams. He serves as one of three pastors at Northshore Church of Christ in Mandeville, Louisiana—and he’s a long-time homeschool dad! Here’s this homeschool dad’s perspective on how homeschooling with Classical Conversations has helped his family navigate classical, Christian education. A Homeschool Dad’s Perspective on CC: A...

Moms and dads are different, and not just in terms of biology. As we ponder the dad’s role in the home school, keep the three “I’s” in mind: influence, impact, and involvement. Dads can exert a positive influence over the home school, impact their kids’ character, and find ways...

“There is the great lesson of “Beauty and the Beast”; that a thing must be loved before it is lovable.”  “Men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her.” G.K. Chesterton Orthodoxy I used to believe that homeschooling was not for everybody. I...

Classical education is not the enemy of creativity in education. It is the very soil where it grows. Jennifer Courtney has spent decades studying classically alongside her children and serving as Chief Academic Officer for Classical Conversations MultiMedia. In this article, Jennifer addresses one of the most persistent myths...

The reasons not to homeschool are real, and most parents considering the decision can name several without much effort. Laura Kooistra, mother of six and a Classical Conversations home educator with more than twenty years of experience, has wrestled with those same doubts year after year. In this article,...

The classical education movement is gaining momentum. Let’s start with some numbers. According to a market analysis conducted by Arcadia Education in 2024, over 677,500 students were enrolled in classical schools nationwide during the 2023–2024 school year (and this number includes homeschoolers following a classical curriculum). The analysis also...

Cycle 3 Foundations Hands-On Science gives students twenty-four weeks to explore three of God’s great mysteries: the design of the human body, the hidden order of chemistry, and the mathematical patterns that govern what looks like chance. Amy Jones, a long-time Classical Conversations parent and Curriculum Developer for Classical...

The spiritual disciplines for the Christian life are not reserved for the settled years of adulthood. They take root, or they do not, in the seasons that form everything that follows. Dustin Bruce, dean and professor at Boyce College, draws from Ephesians 5:15-17 to identify four habits that equip...

Homeschool programs for high school ask more of parents than many expect, but differently than the early years did. Courtney Sanford has lived this from both sides as a Classical Conversations mom and co-author of Marvelous to Behold, a book woven into the Challenge curriculum. In this article, she...

In the Beginning Was the Word: Introducing the Common Latin Curriculum The search for a Latin homeschool curriculum often ends with grammar drills and not much wonder. Jennifer Courtney, Chief Academic Officer of Classical Conversations and a veteran Latin educator, offers a different vision: Latin as a window into...

“Dad, you forgot to pray!” my 5-year-old reminded me one busy evening when a whirlwind of humans finally all sat down and began to eat. That was one of those moments that remind you the work you’re doing is sticking. “Yikes, I did! Do you want to pray for...

What if we viewed education as a giant treasure hunt through God’s universe? What if we looked for all of the ways that our academic subjects add to our knowledge of God’s attributes? What if we viewed the twin goals of education as falling down in worship and rising...

How to start homeschooling is one of the most common questions families ask, and will lead to one of the most important decisions they will ever make. There is a consistent pattern: the families who succeed are not the ones with the most credentials. They are the ones who...

Encouragement for homeschool moms often comes from the most unexpected places. Leigh Bortins, founder of Classical Conversations and veteran homeschool mom of four sons, has spent nearly thirty years standing alongside women who chose to educate their children at home. For Mother’s Day 2026, Leigh brings a gift from...

Why learn Latin? Because the language that appears “dead” on the surface turns out to be alive in the very words you and your children speak every day, and far more than that, it is a discipline that forms clear thinkers, faithful readers of Scripture, history, and literature, and...

The best homeschooling books for parents are the ones that do more than explain a method. They shape the way you see your calling. Have you ever left a homeschool conference with a notebook full of titles and a quiet sinking feeling that you will never get through them...

Every parent wants their child to discover what they are made of. Jennifer Leeds has spent years watching that discovery unfold within Classical Conversations communities, not in moments of ease but in moments of effort. In this article, she introduces the National Number Knockout competition and makes the case...

Homeschool history curriculum for elementary students works best when it moves beyond the page and into real life through stories told aloud, timelines drawn by hand, and afternoons spent making things that bring the past forward. Lisa Bailey has spent more than twenty years as a homeschooling mother, a...

Homeschool art activities tied to American history build technique, and give children a language for the story their country is still telling. Writer and educator Kelli Wilt explores how four distinctly American artists featured in Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 3 illuminate different facets of the American experience, each paired...

Homeschool myths spread faster than the truth about home education. Families who have built thriving academic environments at home, many of them through the Classical Conversations community, face the same questions year after year: about socialization, college readiness, cost, and whether parents are qualified to teach. This article addresses...

Learning how to do homeschool well starts long before you open a curriculum guide. Classical Conversations has walked alongside tens of thousands of homeschool families for more than two decades, and the patterns of what makes homeschooling both possible and meaningful are clear. These 11 practical keys are drawn...

Each month, Classical Conversations publishes a Parent Connections newsletter for CC families a curated blend of encouragement, curriculum updates, member benefits, and community resources. The May 2026 issue arrives just in time for Mother’s Day, featuring a message from CC founder Leigh Bortins, new Latin merchandise, summer field trip...

Planning Orlando homeschool field trips beyond the theme parks? You’re going to love what Central Florida has to offer. From launching rockets at Kennedy Space Center and floating down crystal-clear springs to exploring early Florida settlements and observing alligators in their natural habitat, Orlando delivers adventures that connect beautifully...

A homeschool daily schedule is less about filling every hour than it is about ordering your days around what matters most. Discover how three seasoned CC moms, with more than three decades of combined experience, have spent years building, rebuilding, and refining their home rhythms to accommodate the demands...

Reasoning Together is a Classical Conversations curriculum series designed to sharpen students’ minds through puzzles, analogies, fallacy detection, vocabulary, and philosophy, building the reasoning skills that carry through the Challenge programs and beyond. Philosophy Challenge III Puzzles Challenge A Fallacies New Challenge B — Available April 7, 2026 Analogies...

A strong homeschool logic curriculum does more than train sharp thinkers. It forms students who can reason toward Truth, defend their faith, and engage the world with wisdom. Yet for many homeschool families, logic can feel like a subject to check off or avoid rather than a discipline that...

The best homeschooling books for parents are the ones that do more than explain a method. They shape the way you see your calling. Have you ever left a homeschool conference with a notebook full of titles and a quiet sinking feeling that you will never get through them...

The Math Map is a classical, Christian math curriculum developed by Leigh Bortins and Classical Conversations — now available in five levels for families in Foundations through Challenge I. The Math Map Naturals Foundations 6+ The Math Map Decimals Foundations 8+ The Math Map Rationals Foundations/Essentials 10+ The Math...

Planning Boston field trips homeschool families will love? This is your year. 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American Independence, and there’s no better place to experience it than where it all began. From the cobblestone streets of the Freedom Trail to the tall ships at the harbor, Boston...

Every parent wants their child to discover what they are made of. Jennifer Leeds has spent years watching that discovery unfold within Classical Conversations communities, not in moments of ease but in moments of effort. In this article, she introduces the National Number Knockout competition and makes the case...

Homeschool history curriculum for elementary students works best when it moves beyond the page and into real life through stories told aloud, timelines drawn by hand, and afternoons spent making things that bring the past forward. Lisa Bailey has spent more than twenty years as a homeschooling mother, a...

Homeschool art activities tied to American history build technique, and give children a language for the story their country is still telling. Writer and educator Kelli Wilt explores how four distinctly American artists featured in Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 3 illuminate different facets of the American experience, each paired...

Cycle 3 Foundations Hands-On Science gives students twenty-four weeks to explore three of God’s great mysteries: the design of the human body, the hidden order of chemistry, and the mathematical patterns that govern what looks like chance. Amy Jones, a long-time Classical Conversations parent and Curriculum Developer for Classical...

Families thrive in Classical Conversations Foundations not by doing everything perfectly, but by staying consistent, trusting the memory work, and rooting daily rhythms in what matters most. If you are new to the program, you may find yourself asking, Am I doing this right? Am I doing enough? These...

Homeschool programs for high school ask more of parents than many expect, but differently than the early years did. Courtney Sanford has lived this from both sides as a Classical Conversations mom and co-author of Marvelous to Behold, a book woven into the Challenge curriculum. In this article, she...

Classical Conversations Parent Practicum is one of the most valuable days a homeschool parent can spend before the academic year begins. Each summer, CC hosts free, one-day events at locations around the globe, drawing parents at every stage of the homeschooling journey to practice the classical arts of learning,...

What if we viewed education as a giant treasure hunt through God’s universe? What if we looked for all of the ways that our academic subjects add to our knowledge of God’s attributes? What if we viewed the twin goals of education as falling down in worship and rising...

America’s 250th anniversary arrives on July 4, 2026, and for homeschool families, it is an invitation to do more than watch fireworks. This milestone calls for something more deliberate: connecting what your children have been learning to the story of a nation still being written. Classical Conversations families are...

Classical Conversations is worth it — and the data from more than 3,900 families who have reviewed it, stayed in it, and graduated children through it reflects that with a consistency that is difficult to dismiss. But you are probably not here for the short answer. You are weighing...

Hi, there! My name is Mala Cross, and I am a Classical Conversations homeschool graduate. I wanted to share a little of my journey with Classical Conversations and why I encourage students and families to homeschool through high school with CC from start to finish. If you are wondering...

A strong homeschool logic curriculum does more than train sharp thinkers. It forms students who can reason toward Truth, defend their faith, and engage the world with wisdom. Yet for many homeschool families, logic can feel like a subject to check off or avoid rather than a discipline that...

“I wish I had had a Christian math curriculum like The Math Map available to me when I started homeschooling. I chose a curriculum that was like the one I had used and let that guide our math journey even though we started homeschooling because I wanted my children’s...

America’s 250th anniversary arrives on July 4, 2026, and for homeschool families, it is an invitation to do more than watch fireworks. This milestone calls for something more deliberate: connecting what your children have been learning to the story of a nation still being written. Classical Conversations families are...

Raising mission-minded children begins with authentic family worship and parents who model a genuine heart for the nations. It’s funny how much being a parent changes your perspective on things. Everyone tells you it will, and you believe them. Then it happens, and you are still amazed at the...

Can you become a Classical Conversations Director, even if you’ve never taught beyond your own children? The answer is yes—and the benefits reach far beyond what you might imagine. When you become a CC Director, you step into a role that catalyzes your personal spiritual growth, transforms your family’s...

A small Classical Conversations community offers priceless benefits your family simply can’t find in larger programs: deeper relationships, more individualized attention from Tutors, and leadership opportunities that help every child flourish. I know what you’re thinking—won’t my children miss out with fewer students in their classes? Won’t they need...

What is Memory Master? Who should participate? What are some fun and diverse ideas for practicing? Read this post for answers to all of these questions - and more!

An Excellence in Education event allows the community to share the blessings of classical, Christian education with legislators, civic leaders, clergy, grandparents, and neighbors. To say Classical Conversations students accomplish a lot over the course of their education is an understatement. From memorizing the Timeline Song in the Foundations program to participating...

There are different types of partners for just about everything. I’m sure we can all think back to a time when we’ve partnered with a friend to start a bible study, pursue a new health goal, or maybe even launch a new business venture. Whatever the scenario, we found...

For many homeschool dads—especially those stepping into the role of stay-at-home parent—the search for a meaningful alternative to public school can feel overwhelming. You want your kids grounded in truth, surrounded by godly families, and shaped by something more lasting than test scores and deadlines. Maybe you’ve felt the...

The Mission of a Good Dad What makes a good father in today’s busy world? Being a dad means more than providing financially—it’s about being present in the moments that truly matter. Many of us grew up with hardworking fathers who missed opportunities to fully engage in our daily...

As the mom of two Classical Conversations graduates, I never thought we would ever reach the day of graduation! I started homeschooling them at 7 and 10 on a wing and a prayer. Where on earth did that saying “a wing and a prayer” even come from? According to...

Since its legalization in South Africa in 1996, homeschooling has experienced a resurgence, offering families a powerful alternative to public education. In this evolving landscape, one mother’s search for a meaningful education for her children led her down an extraordinary path. Chantelle Miles, a South African parent of ten,...

If you are thinking about starting your homeschool journey, it can seem like a lonely endeavor. Making the switch from traditional public or private school to home education is a big transition, but reclaiming family-centered learning doesn’t have to be in isolation. Homeschooling is better with a friend. At...

As winter blankets South Africa in its chilly embrace, Simone Billson, Country Coordinator for Classical Conversations in South Africa, shares her insights on homeschooling and the beauty of individual growth. In this heartwarming blog post, Simone draws parallels between the changing seasons and the unique journeys of homeschooled children....