The mission of Thomas More Classical School in Anchorage stems from two questions. We ask, “What kind of person do you want your child to become?” and “What should a graduate know?” That is, our ends include the heart and the mind. We pursue virtue and wisdom, forming our students in Goodness, Truth, and Beauty through a content-rich classical curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and sciences.

Virtues are eternal, inexhaustible ideals that grow in our scholars over time at Thomas More Classical School. This is more than rule-centered formation; virtues are rooted in God’s vision of His image bearers and His saints. By attending to their soul, the Christian culture manifested at Thomas More Classical School forms hearts so that faith deepens and each student becomes the kind of person who honors God, seeks the good of his fellow man, and lives in a way that is more than superficially good, but rather regenerated, steadfast, and exemplary.

Students benefit from the knowledge acquired through an education rooted in the liberal arts tradition. The word liberal refers to freedom of thought; knowledge frees us from ignorance and confusion. The liberal arts tradition refers to the body of knowledge from which springs the humanities, math, and science, as well as co-curriculars like fine arts and physical education. Students encounter materials that give fair, balanced, and honest accounts in every discipline, including history and civics. We aim to preserve things from the past that are worth preserving, all while focusing on education, not politics. Thus, knowledge leads to understanding and understanding leads to confidence and a sense of duty as graduates take their place in the world beyond their childhood.

We have consistently exceeded our monthly application goals, and seats are filling as we look to open with more than 100 students on August 19.

With the mission intact, Thomas More Classical School’s vision propels us forward. A new generation of Alaskans educated in the liberal arts and sciences, with instruction in moral character and civic virtue, is a reality we believe will come to pass. As the journey unfolds, tangible wins deserve recognition.

Recently, we negotiated a multiyear lease with Unite Church leadership. Its location could not be better: convenient and readily accessible. We celebrate our partnership with Unite and look forward to providing a safe, orderly, and joyful environment. Soon, we will sign a new agreement with the Hillsdale College K-12 office, moving our relationship forward in meaningful ways.

At the same time, we are celebrating a financial milestone. Thomas More Classical School has raised $1 million, which, in practical terms, means our classrooms will be fully outfitted with the library books, texts, and materials needed to implement the curriculum with excellence. More than that, donations of high-quality furniture and donated storage significantly offset the costs of furnishing classrooms.

Just as encouraging, the response from families who seek a school that honors their Christian faith and offers a clear, time-tested path for forming both knowledge and character in their children spurs us onward. As a result, we have consistently exceeded our monthly application goals, and seats are filling as we look to open with more than 100 students on August 19. We look forward to fostering a collaborative relationship where parents are seen as essential contributors to their children’s formation by supporting the school’s mission to cultivate virtue and knowledge.

We praise our good God for the work He is bringing to fruition through our human efforts. From the Board who guards the mission to the work of the leadership team and staff who implement it with fidelity, and families and friends rallying around it, we see His providence in every accomplishment along the way and take time to offer our gratitude and praise for the ways our mission and vision are coming together at Thomas More Classical School.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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