Anchored by the Classic Learning Test

This episode of Anchored is an audio recording of Joshua Gibbs' pamphlet "So Your Parents Are Thinking of Sending You to a Classical Christian School." Joshua Gibbs wrote this pamphlet in his effort to inform high-school students on the beliefs, habits, and goals of a classical Christian school 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by John Johnson, Executive Director at Albertus Magnus Institute. John explains what the Magnus institute is, its goal to take on mainstream college education, and its vision to liberate the Liberal Arts. He also discusses faults in the college education system, and the alternative form of education the Magnus Institute offers. John explains that the Magnus Institute is dedicated to going back to the first principles of education.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Mark Hemingway, Senior Writer for The Weekly Standard.  Mark discusses his early education and his unfamiliarity with classical education until 2004, stating how unusual the concept of classical education was in the early years of the renewal. Mark also explains why classical education cannot be accepted by progressives, and how that makes it inconvenient to find great teachers to teach at classical schools. He also addresses the failures of public education, and the mission drift of Catholic classical colleges. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Alvaro de Vicente, Headmaster of The Heights School in Potomac, Maryland. Alvaro discusses the mission of the Heights, and their belief that education is a parental responsibility. He also discusses other topics, such as the relationship between classical education and Catholic education, their mutual search for truth, and the advantages of single-sex education. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Emily Eaton, Assistant Director for Freshman Admission at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Emily reflects on her experience as a homeschooled student and the value Palm Beach Atlantic University places on students who were homeschooled growing up. She shares the journey of how she ended up at PBA, the benefits of attending, and advice on choosing a college to attend. She also discusses the university's curriculum and its Christian identity. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Joshua Gibbs, a teacher at Veritas School of Richmond. Joshua states that for many students, classical education has never been fully explained. He discusses the pamphlet he wrote for teenagers who are enrolling in a classical school but don't know what a classical education entails. Joshua also discusses whether a friendship between a teacher and student is possible, and how important it is for teachers to place themselves within a student's mindset.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Angel Adams Parham, the new President of CLT's Board of Academic Advisors. Angel discusses her background as a Yale graduate and researcher in different countries around the world, and how that gave her greater insight into the classical tradition.  She cites her diverse background as the reason she studied sociology and claims it taught her the virtue of listening well. Angel also discusses her work with Dr. Anika Prather on their new book "The Black Intellectual Tradition and the Great Conversation: Black Writers as Essential to an Education in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty” in collaboration with Classical Academic Press.

On this episode of Anchored Jeremy is joined by Dr. Mathew Smith, founding president of Hildegard College, a new college equipping young people in Knowledge, Conviction, and Action. Dr. Smith discusses why he became a college professor and the inspiration behind creating Hildegard. He explains that the vision for the college was born out of a demand for a return to tradition. He discusses the various programs offered at the college, the curriculum, and the cost to attend. Dr. Smith states that the goal of Hildegard is to provide an affordable education that results in communion with God. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Taryn Murphy, CLT's Digital Marketing Manager. Taryn discusses her homeschool education, her studies at Hillsdale College, and the process of applying to scholarships to graduate debt-free. She shares her journey to being chosen as Hillsdale's 2021 Outstanding Senior Woman, and reflects that attending Hillsdale helped her in the "process of becoming." She explains that graduating from Hillsdale was the start of her education, not the end, and that her goal of life-long learning was the reason she chose to work at CLT.

On this episode of Anchored, Arooba is joined by James Kennerley, a multi-faceted musician and Director of Music for St. Paul's Parish and Choir School. James shares how his love for music led him to study at the University of Cambridge and discusses the history of music as a liberal art. James also reflects on the universality of music across space and time, and the timeless emotions it invokes in people of all religions and backgrounds. He explains how St. Paul's Choir School unites a classical academic and musical curriculum with the Catholic moral tradition.