Frequently Asked Questions

Classical education is education that is grounded in the millennia-long tradition of education that dates back to the classical world, but has been thoroughly shaped, informed, and fulfilled by Christianity. Its most essential characteristic is that it is education with a purpose: truth, goodness, and beauty in the pursuit of Wisdom. Students are taught to think critically, deeply, and well, using real ideas and information, to arrive at real truth. They are trained to recognize, value, and produce authentic beauty. And, they are shaped in virtue to live for what is truly good. To be a classical school is above all to center these things in everything we do, and to always pursue them oriented toward our ultimate goal, Wisdom, Whom the Church recognizes as Christ. 

For more on our view of classical education, see our Grammar School and Middle School pages, and our blog.

Many schools who now call themselves classical are really more “neo-classical” in how they run. ASA strives to be ‘classical with a heart.’ This means that we have no interest in the neo-classical insistence on rigid levels, cookie cutter instruction, or limiting knowledge to a certain set of facts, processes, and desired outcomes. We do not have our children memorize in order to “show off,” but rather because it forms habits of good thinking. We do not focus on right answers, immediate achievement, and grades, but rather on building critical thinking skills, a questioning mind, and lifelong virtue.

At ASA, we believe that students should treasure living ideas, grow in curiosity, and become avid learners and seekers of knowledge. We use the classical stages of learning (e.g. grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric) as guidelines for growth (rather than rigidly delineated stages), realizing that all stages are contained within each stage. While a 7-year-old child leans toward memorization and learning facts, we do not deny that child their questions or their poetic expression. We see our students as persons, growing into increasing levels of knowledge and maturity, rather than as products. We believe that all of God’s truth, beauty and goodness is for every student, and not just those who fit into a particular mold. We employ the language arts and the mathematical arts with the goal of educating the entire person, both their body and their soul. 

We believe in studying the Great Books, great ideas, and God’s Truth, with an end-goal of forming students that are wise, virtuous, and able to join the “Great Conversation” of the best thinking over all of time. We believe in teaching students to “love what is beautiful.”—Socrates 380 B.C. (Republic 403c). We use Socratic questioning, encourage curiosity, and not only allow, but even solicit discussion and good argumentation. 

We believe in mimetic teaching (using models or paradigms of excellence) to allow students to mimic what is beautiful and true. The end goal being, of course, to mimic–to the best of our ability–Christ, the ultimate teacher. 

At ASA, we strive to provide an education that not only teaches Christ (Truth), but also teaches like Christ (who showed us the example of how to teach). And, we strongly believe that this education is based on love and care for every student. 

When run by a well-trained Montessori teacher, we believe that a Montessori preschool education blends very well with a classical education. A Montessori education shares the classical goals of creating deep-thinkers who ask good questions, develop a deep curiosity about the world, and become self-motivated, lifelong learners. Montessori also helps with organizational concepts for multi-age classrooms, which are useful in all of our classrooms up through middle school. 

Our school has 5 levels presently. Our Montessori preschool & kindergarten includes children ages 3-6 (with the 6-year-olds having been part of the program and wanting to complete it). 

Grammar 1 is from first through second grade. 

Grammar 2 is from third grade through fourth grade. 

Middle School 1 is is from fifth grade through sixth grade. 

Middle School 2 is is from seventh grade through eighth grade. 

We reserve the possibility that we may restructure these levels as needed based on enrollment and student needs. 

While some people worry about the multi-age groupings, and we are the first to admit to the challenges of such classrooms, we believe that the benefits of a multi-age classroom outweigh any negatives. Children can work at various levels comfortably. No one is required to stick just with their own grade level, but rather each child can work at the level best suited for that child. Children help each other. Peer relationships are broadened. The entire level of instruction is higher, and individuality is valued far more than in single-grade classrooms. 

Yes: all of our teachers are both licensed and in possession of advanced degrees and certifications in education.

All of the classroom teachers in our K–8 program are faithful Orthodox Christians in good standing with their parishes, as are our school secretary, principal, and school board.

Neither: we're located in Beaverton, OR, in the United States, so you could describe us as "American" or even "Oregonian" Orthodox.

It's a common misconception that "Greek" and "Russian" Orthodox labels refer to different "denominations" or churches in some way. In reality, it's the Orthodox Church, and the "Greek" or "Russian" part (there are also several others) just means the Orthodox Church as it is in Greece or Russia. 

Because Orthodoxy came to America largely through immigrant communities, and in part due to the hardship and tragedy that the Church suffered from the Russian Revolution and its consequences, the Orthodox Church in the United States in particular and the Western world generally has a complicated and unfortunate tangle of overlapping administrative jurisdictions that come from different traditionally Orthodox countries. This in no way implies a difference in faith, or that these are "different churches" in any way. At most, it means that a particular parish received the faith from Greek or Russian (or Ukrainian, or Romanian, or Serbian, etc.) people, is under that patricular administrative jurisdiction, and may have a more or less vigorous cultural connection to that place. (In past decades, in a similar way, it was not uncommon to find "Irish Catholic" or "Italian Catholic" parishes.)

ASA is not a line item on any parish budget, and is intentionally pan-Orthodox. Several parishes of different jurisdictions are represented among our families and staff, many of whom have no particular ethnic connection to Greece, Russia, or any other traditionally Orthodox country.

ASA is hosted by St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, which is under Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The parish priest of St. John the Baptist, Fr. Matthew Swehla, is on ASA's board of directors.

St. John's itself is a lovely parish that is very friendly to inquirers, visitors, and converts. Services are conducted in English, and a large number of parishioners are just Americans with little or no ethnic connection to Greece, including some of our staff and students. They themselves are "Greek" Orthodox mostly in the sense described in the previous answer: they are an Orthodox parish church under an Orthodox bishop who is adminstratively within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. 

We are extremely grateful to St. John's for hosting ASA in their facilities, and for their continued support. We also attend our school Liturgies at St. John's. We are not, however, a ministry of St. John's in particular, and are not funded by the parish. ASA is intentionally pan-Orthodox, has students and staff from a variety of local Orthodox parishes, and welcomes the involvement of the clergy and communities of any and all Orthodox parishes.

A good place to start is our page on the Orthodox faith, which lists several resources for more information. 

We'd also love to discuss any questions you have--don't hesitate to contact us!

Yes, all the time! Any discussion of history, literature, science, etc. requires understanding a wide variety of beliefs and perspectives--some complementary and many conflicting. Our commitment to truth requires that those understandings be as fair and accurate as possible (in an age-appropriate way). 

Discussion and inquiry are strongly encouraged, in particular in order to see and evaluate that which is good, true, and beautiful in any perspective, and that which is not. But if our students are unable to give fair and accurate accounts of these perspectives, including those they and/or we ultimately disagree with vehemently, then we have failed in our pursuit of truth.

No. We welcome and respect students of any faith or tradition, or none. Part of our continual efforts to express the fullness of the Orthodox Christian faith in everything we do at ASA is our commitment to welcome and respect all students, as a reflection of God's love for them, and in fulfillment of His commandments for us.

Please be aware that students will be expected to respectfully attend the Orthodox Liturgy, and to learn and memorize Scripture and prayers, and will be taught Orthodox Christian faith, doctrines, and worldview both explicitly and implicitly. 

If you have any questions about what that looks like or entails, please check out the rest of this FAQ, look over our programs (Montessori, Grammar School, and Middle School), and take some time to learn about Orthodox Christianity through our page on the Orthodox faith and the resources it lists. We'd also love to hear from you and discuss any questions you may have!

Our non-Orthodox families have several reasons for choosing ASA. 

Some are looking for a high-quality education, where their students will learn real facts, real information, and to really think. 

Some are looking for a broad education, that will allow their students to build understanding and appreciation not only for often-neglected core subjects like history, science, and grammar, but also for things like art, music, PE, Latin, and logic.

Some want a school where they know their student will get the attention and support he or she needs to succeed, or to keep growing to his or her full potential.

Some are not Orthodox, but still want a school that they trust to operate with a traditional Christian worldview.

Some want a school where their children will be safe from the physical, mental, and spiritual abuse that is all too common in many places today.

If you have specific questions or concerns for your child and you're wondering if ASA is a good fit, we encourage you to contact us! 

Whatever your reason for choosing ASA, your child will be welcomed and loved.

Your child will be welcomed, loved, and respected.

We are actually blessed to have a significant Ethiopian presence at our school, and have also had Coptic students, and others not in communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church.

We are, of course, an Eastern Orthodox school, and so we will teach the faith as it was defined at Chalcedon and subsequently. You should also be aware that the Liturgy we attend is at St. John the Baptist, a parish under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, so if your student is not in communion with the bishop of that parish, (Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco), he or she will not receive the Eucharist at school Liturgies. 

That said, it is often noted by both Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Christians that the difference in faith and practice, even after ~1500 years of ruptured communion, is astonishingly small. Our non-Chalcedonian families have generally found this to be the case, and are more than happy to have their children educated in the Orthodox faith even if we are not in communion.

ASA will certainly not approach your tradition negatively or polemically--quite the opposite. Our teachers and students have loved the opportunity to learn and include Ethiopian practices and history (for example) when we can, and we look forward to the day when we are in communion once again.

Your child will be welcomed, loved, and respected.

Aside from all the other reasons to choose ASA, Catholic families will appreciate our love of Western civilization and the Christian Tradition, which for us will include an Eastern perspective and solid grounding in the Church Fathers that would be nearly impossible to find elsewhere.

We do not neglect Western history and tradition. Quite the opposite, in fact: we approach it with a respect and seriousness that may be difficult to find in many Catholic schools. 

Roman Rite Catholics may be surprised to learn that we teach traditional Latin prayers and hymns in our Latin classes--it's not well known, but Orthodoxy does have a Western Rite that uses the Roman Liturgy!

Eastern Rite Catholics will find an education in the Eastern Tradition and perspective that would not be available in another school.

As with all students who are not in communion with the Orthodox Church, be aware that your student will not receive the Eucharist at school Liturgies.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us!

Your child will be welcomed, loved, and respected.

Aside from all the other reasons to choose ASA, Protestant families will appreciate our love for Christ, Who is at the center of all we do, and for the Bible, which is at the center of Orthodox Tradition. Orthodox Christianity is joyfully traditional, holding firmly to the doctrines of the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds, and maintaining a Biblical perspective.

In addition, we provide a foundation in Church history and the Church Fathers that is almost impossible to find in Protestant circles, and which many Protestants find immensely valuable. 

Orthodox Christianity may look different from your tradition, and many Protestants are unfamiliar with it and find it hard to understand at first. If this describes you, we encourage you to spend a bit of time looking into Orthodox Christianity, and contact us with any questions you may have.

As with all students who are not in communion with the Orthodox Church, be aware that your student will not receive Communion at school church services. Communion is a very serious thing in the Orthodox Church, and it is not uncommon for even Orthodox Christians to abstain if they have not adequately prepared.

Your child will be welcomed, loved, and respected.

Whether you are a member of another faith, or no faith in particular, ASA will provide your student with a safe environment, individualized attention, and an excellent education. You may be looking for a thorough foundation in great literature, or maybe you want to make sure your student really learns math, or how to think and reason well. You might be trying to find a school where your student will not be lost in the cracks and will be supported and/or challenged. Or perhaps you just want to find a good alternative to dysfunctional or toxic environments you've seen or experienced in other schools. 

We are an Orthodox Christian school, and we do teach the Orthodox Christian faith. Your student will attend the Orthodox Liturgy, and learn prayers, Scripture, and Orthodox doctrines. If you are unfamiliar with Orthodoxy, we encourage you to learn a bit about it, and contact us with any questions or concerns you may have for your particular situation.

However, at ASA, no student is ever made to feel inadequate for not being Orthodox, and we always try to approach other perspectives in humility, love, and respect. Whatever your situation, we encourage you to contact us, schedule a visit, and see what ASA can do for you and your child.