Why Read the Great Books? Why Ad Fontes? The Common Response … and Then Some

Literally meaning “to the sources,” the Latin expression ad fontes refers to the emphasis during the Renaissance period on studying Greek and Latin classics in their original languages. The necessity of this approach for accurate interpretation and translation of classical texts was adopted by proponents of the Protestant Reformation, leading to fresh translations of Scripture based on manuscripts written in Greek (for the New Testament) and Hebrew (for the Old Testament). This conviction—that reliable knowledge is contingent on an accurate reading of original sources—explains why reading the Great Books is a sine qua non (i.e., an essential condition) for most classical schools.

Read More
Learning to Share the Gospel at GCCA

For children growing up in a Christian culture, the Gospel is heard almost daily. It becomes ingrained in their hearts and minds. This is an invaluable blessing that should not be taken for granted. However, students in such an environment can hear the good news so many times that they learn to tune it out…

Read More
Music in the Spacing of the Spheres

Why is it that you can hear students’ singing voices emanating from the different classrooms of GCCA at almost any given moment of the school day? And why does GCCA begin and end its week with Cantabile? The answers to these questions are rooted in our classical Christian conviction that music reflects God’s order and beauty and is an effective means by which to learn other important truths. 

Read More