Who is Whitefield named after?
What is a Classical Education?
As more and more parents adopt classical and Christian education, many others are left with questions. Unfamiliarity with the classical method seems to have given rise to some common myths. While you may find some truth in each myth, we believe your concerns about classical education will begin to fade as your knowledge increases. In fact, you may be surprised by the same enthusiasm that has motivated thousands of parents to return to an education that works.
Myth #1: Classical education was fine back then, but we need modern education in a modern world.
Fact: Classical education teaches students facts, provides them with logical tools to use those facts, and perfects the student’s ability to relate those facts to others. This fundamental skill-set is more valuable today than it has ever been. The process of teaching students to think extends far beyond filling their heads with knowledge. Modern education, to varying degrees, has succeeded in teaching facts and some skills. Classical education helps students draw original, creative, and accurate conclusions from facts and then formulate those conclusions into logical and persuasive arguments.
Modern subjects based in science and technology are taught in classical schools, through classical methods. Parents who are exposed to classical education recognize that its "back to the basics" approach contrasts with the distractions of modern education. Is the classical method applicable in a modern, technological age? The technology we have today was invented, in large part, by the classically educated. Man inhabited the earth for thousands of years without developing technology until the last two centuries. It is no coincidence that the groundwork for these achievements was laid within the last 400 years when classical education was at its height. Classical education teaches children the timeless skills of thinking, reasoning, logic, and expression. Our subject matter is as up-to-date as that found in other schools. We simply add a depth and dimension through this time-tested method.
Myth #2: My child is not intelligent enough to attend a classical school.
Fact: Students at Whitefield Academy vary in intelligence from "exceptionally intelligent" to "below average." Many parents assume that a classical education is only accessible to "gifted" children. In fact, all children benefit greatly from the classical method. If you were educated in Western society prior to 1850, you were classically educated.
Often, myths start from a spark of reality. Many parents observe the classroom and curriculum of Whitefield Academy and assume the children are abnormally bright. In reality, classical education challenges children and is uniquely able to leverage their natural abilities during different stages of childhood. In short, we help ordinary children and deliver extraordinary results by employing proven methods tested for centuries.
Because the school is not equipped or funded to adequately deal with special needs children, we can not accept students with severe learning disabilities.
Myth #3: Classical education is too extreme.
Fact: Classical education teaches children "with the grain" - complementing their developmental phase with the appropriate teaching method. The classical method is different from today’s conventional education. Parents are rightfully skeptical of anything that differs so boldly from the norm. However, classical education was the norm 100 years ago because it worked.
Conventional education has taken an experimental approach to educating our children over the past four decades. Many different methods have been tried and later scrapped when they fail. This constant state of change in education creates an environment where anything "traditional" seems extreme. Unfortunately, this is where modern educational thought is upside down. Classical education provides a basic structure upon which we can build effective, successful students. We are not advocating an experiment. Rather, we are seeking a return to a system proven for over 1,000 years.
Myth #4: Classical education is unnecessarily difficult or harsh.
Fact: Children enjoy learning. They are wired for it. Assuming that a child will not be able to succeed in a challenging environment is tempting, but simply untrue.
A common assumption is that a demanding curriculum results in unhappy children. As adults, learning new things can be uncomfortable. However, most children are fascinated by what they learn at Whitefield Academy. The excitement of children learning Latin grows as they become able to describe the world in a language that most adults do not understand. The rich and complex texture of classical literature is strangely amplified by youth. Science and the history of Western Civilization come alive for those who hunger to know about their world. For the unconvinced, a visit to Whitefield Academy is sure to demonstrate that our students love to learn.
Classical schools maintain order in the classroom. This does not translate to stoic classes where interaction is limited to an occasional, downcast "yes sir." In fact, Whitefield Academy encourages extensive interaction between students and teachers. Students are not allowed to be disruptive, but they are constantly encouraged to offer observations, ask questions, interact, and make comments. The classical method at Whitefield Academy encourages and succeeds at creating a stimulating and enjoyable learning environment for students.
The spark of truth in Myth #4 may lie in student grading at Whitefield Academy. As public school grade point averages (GPA’s) continue to edge upward (even though our national scores related to other countries continue to be disappointing), parents of students in classical schools find that a "C" truly means their child is doing average work in a particular subject. It is important that grading standards be upheld and that students earn their marks. This can create some frustration among students who are accustomed to achieving "easy A’s" in other schools. Some parents are concerned that outside entities may not understand the value of an education at Whitefield Academy. Other classical schools that have graduated college-bound students find the benefits of classical education more than outweigh the relatively lower GPA’s. The relative success of classically educated students on standardized tests more than compensates for their slightly lower GPA’s.
What is a Love & Logic School?
Whitefield Academy has embraced the principles of Love and Logic developed by Dr. Jim Fay and Dr. Foster Cline. Our goal is to create a community of learners who respect and support each other, who learn responsibility by making decisions and living with the consequences, and who have a great deal of practice in learning to own and solve their own problems. Through this approach to discipline, we are working to raise the odds of producing responsible, competent students who are equipped to be successful, contributing members of society. Based on the principles of Love and Logic , we have adopted the following Core Beliefs which guide our discipline process:
- We believe that teachers and students should seek to glorify God in all they do.
- We believe that a teacher's primary responsibility is to love his/her students.
- We believe in encouraging students to make decisions and live with the consequences.
- We believe that mistakes should be considered as opportunities for learning and personal growth.
- We believe that with adult guidance, students should be responsible to solve the problems they create in a way that does not make a problem for others.
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We believe that in the discipline process a teacher should seek to preserve students' self-respect and dignity.
Do Whitefield students wear uniforms?
Our dress code policy is driven by a desire to create and promote an environment of learning where dress is not a distraction to the educational process. Dress code should be followed while on campus, even after school hours, unless specified otherwise. Click here for more details.
Where do Whitefield families come from?
Whitefield families represent over 30 churches of various Christian denominations. We have families from all over the Kansas City area. They come to us from other Christian and secular private schools, public schools, and homeschooling. We have traditional families and single heads of households, working moms and stay at home moms, and a full range of income levels. But most importantly, we're all pulling together to make this a great community for our kids. You'll fit right in!
Does Whitefield have aftercare?
Whitefield Academy has designed an Aftercare Program to provide flexibility for parents, teachers and staff who need to extend their child's day at Whitefield on an ongoing basis. The program is open to students in grades K-8 and will provide a safe, loving and nurturing environment for your student. Students enrolled in the program will report to the lunch room at the end of the school day and will enjoy snack time (snacks provided), recreation or game time, and time for quiet reading and homework. As an added benefit, your student will attend Whitefield Lions’ home games that are played at the school at no additional cost! Click here for more information.
Does Whitefield have hot lunch?
On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays hot lunch is provided by “Lunch Lady Amy” a mom of four, three of which attend Whitefield. Her husband is a teacher and Athletic Director for the school - they have been involved with Whitefield for 10 years.
Amy provides healthy, balanced hot lunches made with lots of love. Bread, rolls, tortillas and wraps are whole wheat (the bread is frequently Amy’s own home made), the eggs are cage free and organic, the poultry and beef is hormone-free, the veggies and fruits are fresh when possible. Her family has a garden and Amy shares her harvest with the kids. She also serves hormone free milk each day.
The kids love her food, and the care she shows in serving it. Lunch Lady Amy is a true blessing to the Whitefield community. Click here for a schedule of meals.
Who is Whitefield named after?
Largely forgotten today, George Whitefield was probably the most famous religious figure of the eighteenth century. Newspapers called him the "marvel of the age." Whitefield was a preacher capable of commanding thousands on two continents through the sheer power of his oratory. In his lifetime, he preached at least 18,000 times to perhaps 10 million hearers.
