Considering the sheer number of years and amount of quality schools wherein the teaching of Latin was an integral part of any good academic training, instruction in Latin at a classical school should need no explanation or defense. However, like many traditional particulars of good education lost in the name of “modern” or “progressive” education, Latin’s advantages have been neglected and forgotten by a couple of generations. Latin was regularly taught even in American high schools as late as the 1940s. It was considered necessary to a fundamental understanding of English, the history and writings of Western Civilization, and the understanding of Romance languages. A classical school teaches Latin, therefore, for four major reasons:

First, Latin is not a “dead language”, but rather a language that lives on in almost all major western languages, including English. Training in Latin not only gives the student a better understanding of the roots of English vocabulary, it also lays the foundation for learning other Latin-based languages. 
Second, learning the grammar of Latin reinforces the student’s understanding of the reasons for, and the use of, the parts of speech being taught in our traditional English class work, e.g. plurals, nouns, verbs, prepositions, direct objects, tenses, etc. 
Third, the study of Latin produces order in the student’s mind.  Latin follows its rules the majority of the time and has few exceptions.  Students learn to constantly pay careful attention to details in Latin which develops precise thinking skills.  These thinking skills are easily transferred to other areas of study. Former United Kingdom Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher credits Latin with teaching her how to think. 
Fourth, a student’s mind and world is enlarged through the study of another language.  Studying Latin, a young student learns that his world, language and vocabulary are not the only way of thinking or living in the world.  In The End of Education, author Neil Postman writes that learning a foreign language, “provides one with an entry into a worldview different from one’s own”. 

The study of Latin beginning in third grade launches the young learner into an ancient world and language that contributed in the building of western civilization. Learning Latin helps to displace the child’s preoccupation and superior attitude of his own place in time.  He becomes thoughtful and respectful of the heritage of language and thought passed down.