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Cedar Classical Academy

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FAQs

FAQs

General

What is classical education? Collapse

We hold to this definition from the Education Department of Hillsdale College:

Classical education is the pursuit of human happiness through the cultivation of moral and intellectual virtue by means of a rich and rigorous course of study in the arts, sciences, and humanities, yielding informed self-government and a well-ordered understanding of the world and human nature.

You can also watch this cartoon from Classical Academic Press.

How do I apply? Expand

Check out our Admissions page.

What grades does Cedar offer? Expand

In 2024-2025 we will offer grades K-11.

Est. in 2019, we are growing to K-12:

  • 2019: K-6
  • 2020: K-7
  • 2021: K-8
  • 2022: K-9
  • 2023: K-10
  • 2024: K-11
  • 2025: K-12
What cities are represented at Cedar? Expand

Our families are from Bath, DeWitt, Dimondale, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Haslett, Holt, Lansing, Okemos, and Williamston.

What are class sizes like at Cedar? Expand

Our typical class size is 20 students.

Where is Cedar located? Expand

In 2023, Cedar Classical Academy moved to 7520 Westshire Drive, Lansing, MI 48917. For the first 4 years, Cedar leased from Lansing Chinese Christian Church at 3654 Okemos Road, Okemos, MI 48864.

Structure & Leadership

Is Cedar governed by a Board of Directors? Collapse

Yes.

Are teachers certified by the state of Michigan? Expand

This is not a requirement for employment.

Do teachers and volunteers receive background checks? Expand

Yes.

Everyday Life at Cedar

Do students get daily recess? Collapse

Yes! We think that outdoor recess is important for children and carve out time for it every day. Grades K-6 get an extra morning outdoor recess three days per week.

Is classical education only for "gifted" students? Expand

No! As every human is made in God's image, classical education is for everyone.

Does Cedar offer part-time courses for homeschoolers? Expand

Not at this time.

 

Is Cedar tied to a specific denomination of Christianity? Expand

Cedar is nondenominational in its Christian worldview and acceptance of the Apostles' Creed. See our statement of faith here. Our theology classes use the Westminster Catechism and a Reformed theology curriculum from the Rafiki Foundation. Cedar was the first non-African school to pilot the theology curriculum from The Rafiki Foundation in 2019. Our teachers sign the broadly Christian Statement of Faith posted on our website. Our parents do not have to confess the Statement of Faith, but instead sign on that they accept that their children will be taught in accordance with it.

What extracurriculars does Cedar offer? Expand

None right now, but we plan to offer extracurriculars as we grow! Because human beings are comprised of body, mind, and soul, we want to train and educate all of those facets of each child. We will offer sports, music, and other extracurriculars. We will not, however, spend as much time and money on these programs as the local public school, nor will we pursue the type of sports program that eliminates all family time. We may not produce elite athletes, but we will graduate self-controlled men and women.

Currently, we offer "specials" - art, music, and physical education classes - twice a week for Grades 1-8 and music and physical education classes once a week for Kindergarten.

Do students wear uniforms? Expand

Yes.

How much homework do students get? Expand

We think homework is important and a positive good. Our rule of thumb is 10 minutes per grade level per day (not including reading time): 10 minutes for 1st Grade students, 40 minutes for 4th Grade students, etc. Most students test into Cedar behind their assumed grade level, resulting in more time spent on homework over the course of the first semester.

Tuition

Can I afford tuition? Collapse

Our Board sets tuition annually in mid-January after determining the next year's expenses. See this year's tuition rates here.

Most schools in our state, public or private, spend around $13,000 per student per year. As a private school, we receive no public funding, but count on private charitable donations and tuition to cover all our expenses. We are working hard to make tuition affordable for parents by 1) seeking to operate as economically as possible while not compromising our mission, and 2) raising funds from outside individuals and organizations who are eager see our mission go forward.

We think that this education is worth great cost and financial sacrifice, and see tuition money as an expression of solidarity in choosing something different for our children. We have written a blog post on that here.

While we view the financial commitment of tuition as something that will strengthen our school community, our hope is that tuition will never be a barrier that prevents like-minded families from joining us. Discounts are offered for paying in full and enrolling multiple children. Additionally, parents may apply to be considered for tuition assistance through a third-party company for a small fee. The third-party assessment takes into account the household's whole financial picture, and returns a tuition level that the family can reasonably afford to pay. When the assessment is completed, we will do our best to provide financial assistance (through private donors) bringing tuition down to the affordable figure. Our families are also encouraged to ask their own personal contacts to consider donating to the school's tuition assistance fund or directly toward their child's tuition costs. For more about our financial plan, see https://cedarclassicalacademy.org/give/.

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