This vision is tangible in every classroom. In Kindergarten, for instance, our youngest learners begin their study of nature by exploring apples, a simple yet profound introduction to the order and beauty of creation. They observe the parts of an apple, taste its sweetness, chart their favorite varieties, and even make homemade applesauce together. What might appear as a lighthearted Nature Studies activity is, in truth, an early lesson in gratitude and wonder, helping them see God’s hand in something as ordinary as a seed.
, in the Upper School science lab, students simulate the formation of the Grand Canyon, marveling at the power of water and time. Through integrated studies in English and History, they investigate Roman aqueducts to understand the marriage of logic, design, and necessity that shaped ancient civilization. These lessons blend scientific inquiry with historical imagination and theological reflection, encouraging students to see learning as a way of uncovering divine wisdom.
A St. Ann education engages the whole person. Intellectually, students enter what the classical tradition calls “the Great Conversation,” joining the timeless dialogue of thinkers, poets, and saints who have sought to understand the world and man’s place within it. In fifth grade, as they read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, they are drawn into the moral imagination of C.S. Lewis, encountering themes of courage, sacrifice, and redemption that illuminate their own lives. Through Socratic dialogue and discussion, students learn to listen attentively, speak thoughtfully, and reason clearly—skills that form not only scholars, but citizens of virtue.
The school year at St. Ann Classical Academy runs in a liturgical rhythm. Prayer punctuates everyday in a predictable pattern, reminding students that Christ is ever present as they grow in knowledge, skill, and fellowship ad majorem Dei gloriam, that is to say, for the greater glory of God (St. Ignatius of Loyola). Students begin each morning with prayer and unite in the celebration of the Holy Mass every Monday and Friday, beginning and ending their week with the Lord. Feast days are celebrated with joy and reverence, connecting our students to the great communion of saints. Throughout the week, they read Scripture, reflect on the virtues, and learn to see holiness not as an abstract ideal, but as a daily calling. The saints are introduced as living friends whose examples inspire our children to pursue lives of joy and service. Further, the charism of joy embraced by the academy flows directly from our patrons: St. Ann, St. Philip Neri, and St. Lucy Filippini.
Though our education is rooted in timeless truths, it prepares students to meet the challenges of today with clarity, confidence, and grace. Our classical approach forms the habits of mind necessary for lifelong learning. In the study of grammar, students learn the building blocks of language, enabling them to express complex ideas with precision. Applying logic, they practice discerning truth from falsehood in an age of information overload. Through the art of rhetoric, they learn to speak and write persuasively, not for self-promotion, but in defense of truth and goodness.
Ultimately, everything we do at St. Ann Classical Academy points toward our highest goal: the salvation of souls. We are not content to form merely good students; we strive to form saints. Each lesson, each prayer, and each act of kindness is ordered toward the eternal destiny for which every human heart was made.
This mission flourishes because it is shared. Parents, teachers, parishioners, and students all contribute to the vibrant life of our school. St. Ann Classical Academy is not just a school; it is a family of faith, joyfully united in the pursuit of truth and virtue. Together, we celebrate feast days, host community events, and support one another through prayer and fellowship.
l events to weekday masses, the life of our academy overflows with gratitude and shared purpose.