Liberal Arts
Curriculum
Classical Academy de Lafayette is a Licensed User of the Hillsdale College K-12 Curriculum which guides our instruction. Rather than relying on textbooks and superficial exposure, we defer to original sources and great works and seek to deeply explore issues and texts while instilling in students sound analytical thinking habits. Teachers deliver the curriculum under the direction of the Founder/President and Curriculum Director. Our program establishes a strong foundation in fundamental subjects with steady movement towards mastery, ensuring that students are equipped with intellectual, moral, and civic preparedness, regardless of their future careers or aspirations. Click here to learn more about accreditation at CAL.
History
A comprehensive program in world and American history and geography, integrating topics in civics and the arts, Core Knowledge History and Geography helps students build knowledge of the diversity of civilizations, cultures, and concepts. Core Knowledge History and Geography curriculum materials aim to prepare students to participate actively in a democratic society. Interested in viewing these materials? The Core Knowledge Foundation free open-access to their curriculum materials. You may download them here!
Literature
CAL students read literature selected from the best of the Western Canon. CAL has selected timeless classics which teach ageless virtues and speak to the human condition. Our literature is designed to parallel our student's study of history. As students are studying a particular time period, the classical literature corresponds to that same era. The aim is to create a cohesive learning environment where learning in one subject enhances the learning of other subjects.
Reading, Writing, and Spelling
Literacy Essentials is an "Orton-based" multi-sensory, brain-based approach for teaching explicit phonics, reading and language arts. It uses question and answer analysis and graphic organization to teach writing, spelling, and reading. The curriculum covers phonemic awareness, spelling patterns, vocabulary, writing, grammar, and reading comprehension. Rather than memorize words, students learn to "decode" the English language using 72 common English spelling patterns (what we call phonograms) beginning in kindergarten. This approach gives students the tools they need to approach reading and spelling with a deeper understanding and a broader application. For more detailed information on phonograms, click here.
Click here to view supporting research on this approach.
Math
Singapore Math offers a conceptual approach to mathematical skill building and problem solving. This program uses an intentional progression of concepts to instill a deep understanding of mathematics. It follows the same method and design philosophy as the one used in Singapore, which consistently lands their students at the top in international math testing, using layered concepts and a model method. Each year, topics are revisited and additional concepts are added to build a strong foundation and deepen understanding of each topic. Rather than relying simple replication and memorization, students are challenged to think mathematically and draw on knowledge gained from earlier material to solve new problems.
Click here to view supporting research.
Science
Core Knowledge offers a hands-on approach to scientific inquiry with emphasis on fundamentals.
Latin
Prima Latina uses a clear and systematic format to introduce Latin to young students. It teaches important English and Latin grammar concepts as well as vocabulary, sayings, and constellations.
Sara Phillips de Borja graduated with a BA from Principia College and continued her studies at the University of Cambridge in England, receiving a CPGS (“Certificate of Post-Graduate Study” – equivalent of a Masters degree). She then moved to St. Louis to study at Washington University, where she received her MA and finished the coursework towards a PhD. She has taught at a variety of levels from preschool through college and thoroughly enjoys helping students appreciate the creative arts, both visual and literary. In her teaching, she emphasizes the importance of strong writing skills and thorough research. Sara loves to read, and Bridge to Terabithia, Pride and Prejudice, and People of the Book are among her favorite novels. When she is not teaching, Sara and her family enjoy international travel. To date, they have visited 25 countries and most recently traveled to the Panama Canal. While at home, she loves to spend time with her husband, son, and dog. (Side note: She is drawn towards egg-drop contests and has won multiple times. Something to keep in mind for field day!)
Hal Witt grew up in Kansas City MO. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Greek and Latin from Northwestern University in Chicago and a Master’s degree in Classical Greek and Latin from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 
Nikki McGuire has taught in elementary education since 1993, with a ten-year break to raise her three children now 19, 17, and 10. She has experience teaching grade levels 3rd-6th in all subject areas, in both the public and private sector. She is a passionate professional with exceptional teaching, management, and leadership skills. She possesses the ability to tap into student’s interests and Socratically guide them to achieve levels previously thought unattainable. Mrs. McGuire loves inspiring and teaching children. Currently, she is the 6th grade homeroom teacher and math teacher for grades 4-6 for a local independent school, and she will join the CAL faculty in the fall as an elementary math teacher in the mornings and the PreK-K teacher in the afternoons. Nikki loves gardening, and spending time with her husband and three kids, preferably at the beach, but usually at the hockey rink or baseball field! With a degree in education from The University of Kansas, she also enjoys visiting her alma mater to see her daughter, a current Jayhawk, and catch a basketball game. She is a dedicated, passionate teacher that thrives on encouraging her students to reach for the stars!
Debbie Bridges is a 2011 graduate of Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Middle School Science Education at the age of 38 after spending ten years as a stay-at-home mother of two. Debbie taught for six years in a public middle school before joining CAL in September 2017.
Anne Hotz Harmon graduated cum laude from Hillsdale College in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Classical Education. She completed the Liberal Arts Teacher Apprenticeship at Hillsdale Academy with a focus in elementary education. Anne has also worked as a writer and editor for the Hillsdale College Marketing Department. In her free time, she enjoys browsing bookshelves, cooking with her friends, and listening to musicals. She is passionate about bringing her love of children’s literature and education to the Classical Academy de Lafayette in the fall.
A native Chicagoan and veteran teacher of more than twenty years in public and private sectors, Linda Griswold and her family moved from the Chicago suburbs to the St. Louis area two years ago. 
Mr. George Reed is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a degree in history, and he holds a degree in banking from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado at Boulder. George is the father of three grown children who are all successful in the arts. He is also a Vietnam War veteran having served with 82nd Airborne Division. George has spent most of his work career in industry as a financial planner and as a commercial loan officer with a major bank. He also had his own consulting business working with small business owners to improve their business practices. He has served on the Kirkwood YMCA Board, Alexandra Ballet Board, the Kirkwood Chamber of Commerce Board and the American Institute of Banking Board each for a term of 10 years. Mr. Reed has taught economics, financial history and American history.
Mrs. Marilyn Wallace is a lifelong educator, specializing in instruction for gifted and talented students. After graduating with degrees in Elementary/Secondary Education and Music, she taught students at all grade levels for 15 years, earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from National-Louis University in Evanston, Illinois, and entered school administration. In addition to her work in curriculum development, she was head of a K-8 independent school in the Chicago suburbs for 13 years and head of the Principia School here in St. Louis from 2006-2014. She has led 18 evaluation teams for the Independent Schools Association of the Central States. Now retired from her work in that field, she devotes her time to church activities. She lives in the area with her husband, and has two married sons who live nearby.
Mr. Dale Henn, Chairman, is a retired Vice President at Gannett, a Fortune 500 company, with 30+ years business leadership and experience including finance, accounting, real estate, facilities, M&A, insurance, treasury and IT. He serves on the St. Louis County Library Foundation Development Committee. Dale holds an M.B.A. from the University of Rochester and a B.A. in Math and Business Administration. Dale is an avid reader of history and biographies and a bike rider. He lives in St. Louis with his wife, Susie.
James V. Shuls is an assistant professor and the graduate program director of educational leadership and policy studies at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. He earned his Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Arkansas. Previously, he taught first grade and fifth grade in the Republic, MO R-III School District. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University and a master’s degree from Missouri State University, both in elementary education. Prior to joining UMSL, he served as the director of education policy for the Show-Me Institute, where he is currently a distinguished fellow of education policy. Additionally, he is a research fellow at the Hammond Institute for Free Enterprise at Lindenwood University and for EdChoice.