Even as your child is entering grade school it is important to look forward to their future and do all you can to prepare them for high school and college. While there are other more important goals of a classical education, statistics show that students who have a classical education score much higher scores on the SAT, ACT, and PSAT. For the graduating class of 2010, classically educated students averaged 114 points higher than the rest of the nation on the reading portion of the SAT. In math, classical students scored 76 points higher than all other types of education, and in writing they scored 109 points higher.

PSAT scores demonstrate the same conclusion: classically educated children receive the best test scores of every education method in the nation. The classically educated class of 2010 scored 12 points higher in reading, 6.6 points higher in math, and 12.9 points higher in writing.

Classically educated students also score higher on the ACT than students at all other kinds of schools. They scored 6.7 points higher in English, 4.1 points higher in math, 5.6 points higher in reading, and 3 points higher in science.

All of these statistics prove one thing: at least in terms of test scores, the best education and preparation you can give your student is a classical education. A mere one hundred points on the SAT can mean the difference between your student being accepted at the school of their choice or having to go with second best. In addition, thousands of dollars of scholarships are distributed based on students’ SAT, ACT, and PSAT scores. While the goal of a classical education is to teach students to think and communicate effectively and to develop a lifelong love of learning, the natural byproduct is better performance on tests that will give students a boost in their college education and their careers.

PSAT: Data from 2009 ACCS survey of member schools.
The ACCS Average represents scores from 378 students in 35 schools.

SAT: Data from the 2009 ACCS survey of member schools.
The ACCS average represents scored from 209 students in 30 schools.

ACT: Data from 2009 survey of ACCS member schools.
The ACCS average represents scores form 147 students in 22 schools.

Even though Latin is no longer a spoken language, The Cambridge School begins to teach it to all students beginning in Kindergarten. But many people wonder why it’s so important to teach a “dead language.”

Latin is not only the foundation of the English language, but it also helps give students a better understanding of the roots of the English language, which greatly expands their vocabulary.

Another benefit of learning Latin is that it lays a foundation for learning other languages. By learning Latin at an early age, it will be much easier for students to learn languages such as French, Spanish and Italian. It is also easier for students to learn languages that aren’t based on Latin because the study of Latin has given them a good understanding of how languages are structured.

Moreover, when student learn a root language, such as Latin, they have an improved understanding of English grammar, which helps them to be better writers and communicators. For example, students of Latin discover that there are seven times when pronouns, adjectives and verbs must match. In addition, they learn the difference between a direct object and an indirect object, the varieties of verb tenses, and much more. When they take the SAT in high school, students’ knowledge of Latin will allow them to correctly identify the meanings of many more words than the average student who hasn’t studied Latin.

Ultimately, the point of learning Latin is to teach children to think logically and to organize their thoughts well. Dorothy Sayers said, “I will say at once, quite firmly, that the best grounding for education is the Latin grammar. I say this not because Latin is traditional and medieval, but simply because even a rudimentary knowledge of Latin cuts down the labor and pains of learning almost any other subject by at least 50 percent.”

Pearson Foundation Gives Gift of Books

Kindergarten students at The Cambridge School took part in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record™ nationwide campaign to set a new world record for the largest shared reading experience on a single day. More than 2 million children and adults across the country read The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats, in schools, community centers, libraries, and homes. The Pearson Foundation, founding partner of the national event, gave a copy of the book and a certificate of participation for each of the 15 students in the class. Kindergarten teacher, Louise Fougner, worked for Pearson, an international education and information company, as a curriculum specialist before coming to The Cambridge School this fall.

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record™ program aims to raise awareness of the need for improving preschool literacy experiences for children in under-resourced communities. The nationwide event was kicked off by NBC Today Show hosts, Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira, along with celebrity readers, including actor and comedian, Bill Cosby, and New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg. The U.S. Congress has officially declared October 7, 2010 as Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Day in recognition of the important role this campaign plays in supporting literacy.

“The gift of Keats’ classic children’s book enhanced lessons the kindergarten students are engaged in at The Cambridge School every day,” said Mrs. Fougner. “Participating in the reading event with their new books improves their own reading development and supports improving literacy for others,” she said. The classical Christian school promotes high academic standards in the context of a Christian worldview.

The Fifth Convocation Attracts More Than 300 Attendees

Having outgrown its own facility’s sanctuary, The Cambridge School held its fifth fall convocation on Monday night, August 30, in the newly completed sanctuary of The Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe. Rev. Jack Baca, Senior Pastor, opened the program by welcoming the more than 300 guests, who came to celebrate the beginning of the new school year for the classical Christian school. The program featured a rededication to the school’s mission and vision, and a celebration of its growth from only nine students in 2006 to more than 100 today.

From left to right: Rev. Jack Baca, Bill Weber, Jean Kim, and Jim Hopson celebrate The Cambridge School’s fifth fall Convocation.

Bill Weber, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, paid tribute to Founder and outgoing Head, Jean Kim, for her vision, untold hours of service, and high standards. “Without her commitment,” he said, “this school would not have achieved the growth and maturity that it has in just four short years.” The crowd echoed these sentiments with a standing ovation. Mrs. Kim will continue with the school in an advisory capacity.

Weber then introduced the new Head of School, Jim Hopson, to the assembled students, parents, grandparents, faculty, and staff. Hopson has more than forty years of experience in Christian education, and most recently was the Head of School at Santa Fe Christian Schools in Solana Beach.

“I am delighted to join the Cambridge family,” said Hopson, “I have been very impressed by the kindness of the Cambridge community, as well as the academic rigor and spiritual depth of the classical model of education used at The Cambridge School. I look forward to a wonderful year!”