About

Our mission

The Classical Academy (TCA) cultivates Christian piety by directing students' minds and hearts toward Christ, in whom all truth, goodness and beauty hold together. We seek to develop a culture of joy, wonder, and gratitude through a classical education in the liberal arts tradition.

Our vision

Stack of old books on a wooden table next to a notepad with a pen.

Our school exists to pass on to students the culture and heritage of western civilization, bringing them into the great conversations that have shaped thinkers throughout history.

Rather than focusing on the skills necessary for vocational training, TCA will provide students with a broad education that emphasizes an integrated set of knowledge and skills that will prepare them for future study and for a life of Christian service.

We seek to instill piety in our students by:

  • Teaching them to love, honor and respect what is worthy.

  • Developing diligence and perseverance in their pursuit of understanding.

  • Fostering an eagerness to serve others and God's coming kingdom with all that they have received from his grace.

  • Leading them to the joy, wonder, and humility that comes with growth in wisdom about God, his world, and themselves.

We will strive to captivate students' attention with worthy content, to cultivate the joy of learning in its purest form, and to tether our students to that which is stable and true. And, in the end, we hope to know our graduates by their loves and what those loves ultimately compel them to do in service to the kingdom of God.

See our Portrait of a Graduate

The Classical Academy adopts the essential truths of orthodox Christianity as articulated in the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds and in the Chalcedonian Definition.

Statement of faith

Photo of a bookshelf filled with old, worn hardcover books with faded and decorative spines, including titles on history and states, arranged on multiple shelves.

TCA History

The group began by reading through The Liberal Arts Tradition to further understand the philosophy and implementation of classical, Christian education. Convinced of the value of this educational option for the community, the group initially offered local students Thursday afternoon classes during the 2023-2024 academic year. Four families, including seven children grades 3-9, brought their curriculum into alignment in several key subject areas, using the time

In January 2023, three classically homeschooling families formed a planning team to explore the idea of opening a classical school in Sioux county.

together to review and explore this material, as well as begin to build the culture for the community of our school for years to come. In the fall of 2024, the community grew to 21 students and nine families. With support from the Iowa Association of Christian Schools, we now have provisional accreditation with Christian Schools International and qualify for Iowa’s ESA program.

TCA officially opened as a four-day-a-week school in August 2025.

Wooden desk and chair in a library or classroom, with several books stacked on the desk and underneath on a shelf.

Interested in learning more?
We’d love to talk with you.