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 in Mock Trial and writing a senior thesis in Challenge, students put in hard work and dedication to see these projects through, developing lifelong skills along the way.
What is Excellence in Education?
While modern experts encourage cramming more content into a multiple-choice test, Classical Conversations shifts the focus of education back to the timeless trivium of skills for learning. By teaching students how to learn, we escape the modern-day trap that Dorothy Sayers warned of, where students “learn everything, except the art of learning.”
For a truly excellent education, students must be prepared for conversations that carry eternal significance about humanity and divinity, so that they can consider choices and consequences, accept discipline and duty, and pursue a life balanced by prayer and action.
Classical Conversations communities around the world are living out this learning legacy. Whether you’re a parent, Tutor, or Director, and you’re proud of what your student and their peers are accomplishing this year, consider hosting an Excellence in Education event with your local community!
What Is an Excellence in Education Event?
An Excellence in Education event is a one-day occasion where Classical Conversations members invite church, political, and business leaders from the larger community to see the effort and accomplishments of students in the Foundations, Essentials, and Challenge programs. Ultimately, these events are designed to demonstrate the power of a classical, Christ-centered education.
Typically, parents and Directors organize these optional events to begin around 11:30 in the morning and last half an hour in total, encouraging attendees to fellowship during a provided lunch.
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What Projects Should Students Present?
What should your student present during an Excellence in Education event? While your student is welcome to present any of their projects or learnings, here is an idea of what students in each program often present:
- Foundations children often present memory work from any or all subjects (e.g., sing the Timeline Song!).
- Essentials students can showcase their Faces of History projects.
- Challenge A students can present their Science Fair experiments or demonstrations and results.
- Challenge B students often deliver speeches from or discuss their learnings from participating in Mock Trial.
- Challenge I students can deliver the Declaration of Independence or excerpts from the Constitution.
- Challenge II students often present art grants.
- Challenge III students can recite poetry or Shakespeare.
- Challenge IV students can deliver or quote from their senior theses.
Basically, the possibilities are endless! A great rule of thumb is to let your students present the projects they are most passionate about.
When to Host an Excellence in Education Event
Generally, communities participating in an Excellence in Education event host it around Constitution Day in September, Veterans Day in November, or Presidents’ Day in February.
Who Should You Invite?
You’re welcome to invite anyone and everyone to your Excellence in Education event. However, these events are intended to demonstrate the power of a classical, Christ-centered education to leaders in your hometown, whether church staff, local politicians, business owners, and other community leaders.
Since this event serves to spread the word that a classical approach to education rooted in a Christ-centered worldview is a successful method of education, you can even invite local media outlets to cover your event if you are really bold!
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How to Plan an Excellence in Education Event
Want to host an Excellence in Education event with your local community? Talk to your Licensed Director today to begin planning. Directors can access an Excellence in Education event guide on CC Connected. Get other parents involved and divide the costs and organizational tasks among yourselves.
After you confirm the basic logistics like when and where to meet, post about your event on social media, send out flyers or invitations, and share during your church announcements to encourage leaders in your hometown to attend. And, of course, be sure to share photos and videos of your event with us on Facebook or Instagram!
