Frequently Asked Questions

  • There is no quick answer because Classical Christian Education uses an entirely different paradigm for education. Modern education seeks to train for a job or a career. Classical Christian education prepares students to be excellent learners, rigorous thinkers, and effective doers. Learn more about what makes Caritas Academy different.

  • As of the 2024-25 school year, Caritas Academy will offer Kindergarten through 10th grade, with the plan to add a grade level each year until we are a K-12 school.

  • The Grammar School (K-6th Grade) utilizes the hybrid model, and in the 2024-25 school year will begin offering a 5-day on-campus program for Kindergarten. Each subsequent year, a 5-day program will be added until K-6th has one hybrid class and one 5-day class for each grade. The Upper School (7th-12th Grade) utilizes a 5-day on-campus model.

  • People sometimes believe that an education like this must be expensive. In fact, we work very hard to keep it affordable. We believe that Christian classical education is important to the future of the community, so we want it to be accessible. When you consider the impact to your children’s future and their lives, we believe you will find Caritas Academy to be one of the best educational investments you can make. Arizona has two programs that assist families with tuition affordability - the Department of Education Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) and the Tax Credit Scholarship Program (STOs) tuition several tuition organizations that can help make private schooling more affordable. Check our fees and tuition page for more information.

  • Caritas (CAR – ee – toss) is the Latin word for unconditional love. It is the love that God shows us; and since we are made in His image, it is the love that we should show one another. Our motto is “Caritas numquam excidit”—which means “Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)

  • Consider the following questions:

    Will our family benefit from having another person organize the curriculum for our children’s instruction?

    Can we provide an environment conducive to learning within our home?

    Are our family dynamics such that our children will respond to us as their teachers?

    Are our family dynamics such that we can commit to the workload at home?

    Is this the best educational model for us?

  • We accept applications at any time but we encourage parents to apply in January or February of the year in which they wish to enroll their student. You will need to follow the steps to admission, first beginning with a campus tour, then submitting the application and payment for the application fee. See our Admission pages for more information.

  • We admit students selectively based on their academic ability, family support, and faith. We use an admissions procedure that allows us to more accurately identify and admit students from families whose educational convictions are similar to those of the school. Applicants are assessed based upon grade readiness, family support, family faith that aligns with our Statement of Faith, and a basic understanding of Christian classical education. We reserve the right to refuse admission or continued enrollment to anyone. However, Caritas Christian Classical Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethic origin, or gender in the administration of its policies, admissions, scholarships, and other school-directed programs. Read more about the steps to admission.

  • Classical Christian education is the original well-rounded education. As resources allow, we will offer programs in music, art, drama, etc. The difference is that everything in a classical school is purposeful. When 1st graders study art, they study great artists like Monet and Matisse. When we study music, we emphasize the great works of classical music (and sometimes other genres). We believe that studying great art brings about an appreciation of beauty—a developed aesthetic—which is a lifetime gift.

  • Arizona has two programs that assist families with tuition affordability - the Department of Education Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) and the Tax Credit Scholarship Program (STOs) tuition several tuition organizations that can help make private schooling more affordable. Learn more about tuition assistance and how a private school education can be achievable for your family.

  • Please submit an admissions inquiry to request additional information and schedule a campus tour. You can also contact us at info@caritasacademyaz.org.

Hybrid Program FAQ

  • The hybrid educational model uses a combination of on-campus classroom instruction with a classroom teacher three days per week and parent-led remote learning the other two days. This model offers the benefits of both independent learning and a “brick-and-mortar” education. Parents are afforded more time with their children and the ability to give individual instruction. Caritas supports the parents with training, lesson plans, and accountability. Students at Caritas also receive opportunities to experience group settings and to learn the skills and tools needed to thrive in that environment.

  • We expect that families will spend Wednesday and Friday completing schoolwork at home.

    As students progress into harder subjects, they will spend more time on their homework. Time will vary greatly for each student depending on their learning style. Our aim is for students to spend an average of three hours a day for grades K-2 and four hours a day for grades 3-6. This amount assumes a parent will be working with multiple children at the same time, and that students will be working more independently as they mature.

  • Formal teaching experience is not a requirement. However, all parents have experience teaching their children. The most important qualifications for a parent to participate are a love for Christ and their children, a desire to learn themselves, and a commitment to the program. In addition, Caritas will provide training for parents at various times during the school year.

  • To help with this, we have chosen curriculum that is user-friendly and contains adequate teaching resources. Additionally, classroom teachers are available for questions. One benefit of this model is that parents are given the gift of time to learn alongside their child. Often, the best learning comes when we have to work for it.

  • All teachers are required by contract to be available during off campus school days. Teachers will check email at regular intervals during those days in order to respond to questions in a timely manner. We also want to emphasize parent and student responsibility for being prepared each week for their lessons.

  • Teaching multiple levels of students is never easy, but Caritas Academy makes it doable for any committed parent. All Caritas students follow the same historical time period. This way, students across the grades can participate in what their siblings are learning. In the younger grades, certain classes are combined between grades so that parents do not have to teach a whole new class to each student. Teachers strive to mitigate the work by giving clear instructions for both parents and students. In addition, Caritas Academy emphasizes and teaches time management and responsibility from a young age.