Is it Too Late for My Child to Start Classical Christian Education?

By Alicia Williamson, Enrollment Director

Considering a transition to classical Christian education for your child? Providence Classical School in Klein, Texas, offers a nurturing environment where students from Pre-Kindergarten through high school are welcomed at any stage of their academic journey. Our commitment to integrating new students ensures they receive the support needed to thrive academically and spiritually. We recently sat down with Enrollment Director Alicia Williamson to get answers to questions parents frequently ask when thinking about transferring their family to Providence Classical School.

My child didn’t start classical Christian education at the beginning. Is it too late for them to start now?

It is almost never too late for a student to start at a classical Christian school. At Providence, we welcome new students from Pre-K through high school. While students joining mid-stream may have missed some curriculum elements, we work diligently to prepare them for their first day, ensuring they feel comfortable and addressing any gaps from not having been in a classical Christian school. We make sure they have the prerequisites they need to be academically successful at Providence.

Since Providence teaches history in chronological order, will transfer students have gaps in their education?

The short answer is no, they won’t. Yes, we teach history chronologically because history makes a lot more sense when you learn it in order starting at the beginning with Creation. But for this very reason, each of our classes reviews and highlights previous timelines. So whether your child has missed just the first grade timeline, or they’re joining in sixth grade at the tail end of our Grammar School history curriculum, their teachers are going to ensure that students have a comprehensive understanding of the major components of history and God’s sovereignty throughout time.

When is it too late to start Latin? Can my child catch up?

The beautiful thing about studying Latin is that it is invaluable for training the mind to think. Therefore, we feel that it’s never too late for a student to start Latin! We maintain Latin as a graduation requirement because it enhances understanding of English vocabulary, grammar, writing skills, science, and specialties like Law. Whether a student joins in fourth grade having only missed one year of Latin or transfers in high school, we feel like Latin is foundational. We collaborate with families to create personalized plans, utilizing tailored programs, online tools, and tutors to integrate students into their appropriate grade levels. While we do believe that studying Latin is worthwhile, it can be difficult to transition into our more advanced Latin classes in high school. Students transferring into PCS after 7th grade typically get the opportunity to study 2 years of Greek to satisfy the classical language graduation requirement.

Is it a good idea to transfer to Providence in Middle School?

Absolutely! One of the beautiful things about our Logic School (7th-8th grade) at Providence is that it really helps students find a place to belong. Middle school can be a tumultuous time for students. They’re undergoing significant changes physically, emotionally, and even academically. Our Logic School is a safe place for students to build friendships, and our teachers really work to help them make connections. It’s a place where students can explore academically. Classes shift to using Socratic discussions so that students have an opportunity to ask those “why” questions that they have in their minds all the time. It’s also a great time and a safe place to go out for a new sport and connect with a team. All of these things actually make the Logic School years a great time to join the Providence community.

Is there a grade in high school when it is too late to transfer and still meet graduation requirements?

While transferring to Providence before 10th grade is ideal, we’ve certainly admitted students beyond that point, especially if they come from another classical Christian school. We take an individualized approach and work with our College Advisors to ensure new students not only meet graduation requirements but also that they will have the classes they need to meet their long-term goals for college and beyond. It’s most important that our high schoolers can acquire the skills and understanding to truly impact their culture for Christ, whatever that looks like for the individual student. So we meet with families individually to assess existing credits and facilitate a seamless transition.

Students engaging in classical learning at PCS, a private Christian school in Houston, TX.

If a student wants to transfer to Providence from another classical school, is that possible even up to their Senior year?

Yes! It is definitely possible to transfer to Providence as an older high school student coming from another classical Christian school. Students from programs such as university model schools or Classical Conversations can also transition smoothly to Providence. Their prior experience with similar curricula, including Latin and writing training, and their family’s Christian values align well with our educational and spiritual emphasis, even into high school.

What resources can you offer to parents who are trying to help their child transfer into Providence when they have a bit of catching up to do?

We assist families in preparing their children for Providence through a variety of resources, including summer activities, reading suggestions, online tools, and connections with tutors familiar with our curriculum. We can provide a host of available resources to give to parents to help their child practice at home such as cursive, Latin, writing, and reading, and we can loan out library books and manipulatives used in our classrooms. If parents would also like outside assistance to prepare their child, we have a great list of paid tutors and even student volunteers who would be happy to help! This support ensures students are ready for their first day, regardless of grade level.

Sounds great! What next steps should we take to transition our child to Providence Classical School?

If you’re considering making the switch to Providence, please click here to schedule a tour. We’d be delighted to get to know your child and family and outline what joining the Providence community would look like for you.

For more information on classical Christian education at Providence Classical School,
watch our film, and schedule a tour today!

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About Alicia Williamson:
Alicia Williamson earned her B.S. in elementary education from John Brown University and taught middle school math for four years before leaving to raise a family. She has served as the Enrollment Director at Providence Classical School since 2015. Alicia and her husband, Tim, have one Providence graduate and two children enrolled at PCS.

Is it Too Late for My Child to Start Classical Christian Education?