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.   

Coram Deo Academy invites you to join twenty graduating seniors for Commencement, Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 AM at Valley Creek Church, 5800 Long Prairie Rd in Flower Mound.

 Flower Mound Mayor, Jody Smith will address the commencement audience focusing on the role of citizenship and making a difference in the community.

Several universities will represent scholarships awarded to the graduating class.

What does a ton of Christmas tuna look like?  CDA high school students have enlisted the help of the CDA Logic School (grades 5-8) to collect 5,334 cans (one ton) of tuna!  And lest that number seem staggering, it is really only 18 cans per 5-12th grade student.

Our high school chose to respond to CCA’s (Christian Community Action) request for  canned food to refill their empty shelves in anticipation of winter in north Texas.  CCA locally supplies the needy in our communities with over $1.1 million dollars of food each year.

So, are there a few cans of tuna in your pantry? Drop them off at the upper school as you bring students to and from campus.   Charity is defined as the giving of help to those in need; helping those less fortunate than we.  That is love.  What does it look like?  Augustine defined it as “It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”  A ton of tuna looks like love!

What do C. S. Lewis, Homer, William Wallace and Wilbur and Orville Wright have in common?  High School Parents are invited to attend the High School House Assembly THIS Friday, September 14 at 11:35-12:05 to find out! Back by popular demand, the four houses will give command performances highlighting their origins.  Formal attire is required (school oxfords and ties, slacks or skirts).  Participation is rewarded and point tallies will be announced. See you there!

I knew when my dad, Robert Muzzall, died that we had been fathered and grandfathered by a man devoted to God, his wife of 62 years, and his extended family.  We attributed to him our love of nature, walks on the beach, poetry recitation, respect for hard work and caring for others, less-fortunate than ourselves.  We knew he and my mom had helped a lot of folks out through the years, but I never imagined in the days since his death, that there would be so many.