Classical K-12 School opens doors to an adventure in education
With highly-ranked academics, and a commitment to forming its students in the arts, humanities, and athletics, Cair Paravel Latin School (CPLS) in Topeka, Kansas, may seem like something out of a storybook.
Named for the royal castle in The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, CPLS is a classical Christian school that seeks to instill Christian virtues in its 360 K-12 and 17 pre-K students. As students progress through the program they are prepared to attend college and achieve success in life.
Thirty percent of students at CPLS receive financial assistance and the student population reflects the diversity of the surrounding community. Ninety-eight percent of students will attend college, with the other two percent enrolling in the military or entering ministry.
“ACE Scholarships has helped open the doors to CPLS for students who might not otherwise have been able to attend,” explained Stacey Hickam, Admissions Director at the school. “We received nine ACE Scholarships this year, which makes a huge difference for the families of the students who receive them.”
CPLS students are required to take the ACT college-entrance exam during their senior year. The average for students from the school over the last three years is 24.5 — the highest in the region – far surpassing the 16.8 national average score for all students.
CPLS was founded in 1980 by a small group of families who were greatly influenced by their participation in the Integrated Humanities Program at the University of Kansas. The “Latin” part of the name represents the language that formed Western Civilization and emphasizes the classical nature of the school.
All students at CPLS are considered to be athletes and 85% of 6th through 12th graders take part in at least one sports program. When they take the field, athletes shout the Narnian battle cry, “For Aslan! For Narnia!”
Students are also encouraged to take part in theater through classes and plays stated in the Stone Table Theater, named for a location in the Chronicles of Narnia.
“I’ve seen amazing personal and academic growth from our students who have been able to come here because of the ACE scholarships,” explained Hickam. “Many of them started the year shy and introverted, but they have been encouraged by their teachers and classmates to get involved in the student culture here. They are doing new things for the first time like playing on our athletic teams, participating in stage performances, and learning to play the violin. It’s exciting to watch their confidence grow.”
The Little Lions pre-K program offers children ages 3-6 a variety of faith, personal, and literary experiences. They take part in activities, both teacher directed and child-initiated, focused on the needs of each individual child.
For more information on Cair Paravel Latin School visit www.CPLS.org
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