Rev. Schultz reflects on LCC from his perspective as headmaster of a classical school, suggesting that LCC’s approach to education can serve as a model for Lutheran classical education at all levels. Thus LCC has something to offer the Church, including those who will not attend, who have already attended, or who are not yet ready to attend college. Rev. Schultz mentions LCC’s academic catalog, too, which can be found under the “academics” tab at lutherclassical.org. -Ed.
It is no secret that Lutheran classical schools are popping up all over the place. God be praised! But the daring leaders of these startup schools do not always know what direction to go. They know that they want something different than what is being offered, and they know that they want something distinctly Lutheran.
But where to go from there? As a startup, what curriculum do we use? What books do we read in literature class? And why Latin? Are there distinctives to the daily schedule of a Lutheran classical school? What kind of role does Luther’s Small Catechism have in the classroom? What sort of standards need to be put in place to best ensure that a Lutheran classical school remain faithful to its mission?
These are all appropriate questions to ask. Any fledgling Lutheran classical school, and even those schools that have been around for some time, must wrestle with these questions. But where does one turn to find the answers? For one, find a Lutheran classical school that has been around for a while and seek out their wisdom. Better yet, visit a Lutheran classical school and see it in action for yourself! Plato tells us that from the good, we learn what is good. Learn the good from a faithful Lutheran classical school and put it into practice at your own school.
But in some ways, even taking this approach is not completely sufficient. It is also helpful to know the end goal. What is the “ideal student” that we are striving to cultivate? What does the end look like, even beyond our Lutheran classical elementary / middle / high schools? If we know that ideal, that end, then we know that for which we strive. When we devise K-8 math curricula, we start at the top, deciding what we want our 8th graders to know before working our way back down. The top determines what the rest will look like.
Our Lutheran classical schools need a standard at the top. Knowing that standard can help determine academic standards, school policies, curriculum maps, standards of student conduct, etc., for fledgling Lutheran classical schools. Enter Luther Classical College (LCC).
LCC arrived at a time when it is most needed. Indeed, the eyes of Lutheran classical education and those who support it are—and should be—on LCC! Our schools are in need of a paragon, an ideal for which to strive, something beyond curriculum maps and academic calendars. The standards by which we measure ourselves rub off; over time, we move toward that which we aspire to be.
What is the purpose of a Lutheran classical school? As you formulate your own answer to this question, consider LCC’s mission statement:
Luther Classical College educates Lutherans in the classical, Lutheran tradition and prepares them for godly vocations within family, church, and society, fostering Christian culture through study of the best of our Western heritage.
That is a reasonable answer, one that can guide you as you craft your own school’s mission statement. But this leads to the question of our Western heritage: why read the great books? What can those books offer that more contemporary literature cannot? We read in LCC’s Academic Catalog:
“What is man, that You are mindful of him?” asks the Psalmist of God, to which all of the world’s great literature attempts an answer.
There is a transcendent beauty and truth that permeates the classics that is completely lacking in other literature.
“But what books should we read at my startup Lutheran classical school?” You probably will not be taking on LCC’s book list in your startup elementary school (Dante’s Inferno, John Milton’s Paradise Lost, and Virgil’s Aeneid, to name only a few), and that is quite alright. And you probably will not start your 1st graders with Homer’s Iliad. But you can, with Homer as your end goal, start your 1st graders with the imaginative tales of Greek mythology. By doing so, you will cultivate in them a love for Greek storytelling. A good mythology enlivens the imagination! It will not be long before your young students are ready and eager to take on Homer.
What about Latin? What can LCC offer here? Again, from their Academic Catalog: “The study of Latin trains the mind … Latin is precise … Latin is elegant.” That is only a snippet. Refer to the Catalog for a very thorough and informative answer that can aid you when you are answering the “why Latin?” question from a prospective school parent. When studying Latin, its nature transfers its character to the student’s mind. Latin is elegant, precise, and trains the mind, and these are wonderful qualities to transfer to our scholars. (This is not to mention the benefits of studying Latin to the study of language and history, which are also outlined in LCC’s Catalog).
LCC can be your guide beyond just literature and Latin. How many times a week should your school have chapel? Strive for five, Monday through Friday. What about class sizes? LCC is not afraid to be smaller than most. Should your school pursue state accreditation? Is your state willing to endorse your commitment to Christ and the Lutheran Confessions? What about finances? Keep tuition low; partner with local LCMS churches if possible!
LCC provides excellent ideals for a young Lutheran classical school that is trying to find its way. After all, what is a school without ideals? In many ways, you are what your ideals are. And it is imperative to think long-term when establishing your school’s ideals, policies, and principles. Think from your principles first. Do not allow finances or class sizes to enter the conversation yet. Principles first. And don’t budge from them. As Plato said, be a 3. The number three is willing to endure anything, even annihilation, before converting to an even number. Stand your ground, like LCC.
As a leader of a Lutheran classical school, you do not have the luxury of only considering your current school families. You have the responsibility of bearing in mind the future generations that will, Lord willing, someday walk your halls. Those future generations should weigh heavily on your thinking and planning. Developing and adhering to the right principles is critical. Principles hold a school accountable, not just to its current school families, but to generations of families yet to come. Be guided by your principles and ideals. And be guided by LCC as your school strives to figure things out.
