Free Enrollment K - 2nd Grade!

Classical Charter School in

Toledo’s Old South End

Register now or contact us for more information

Your child deserves a bright future.

Mosaic Classical Academy starts September 3rd, 2024, serving Kindergarten through second grade.

Welcome to Mosaic Classical Academy, a tuition-free charter school offering a classical education to students in and around Lucas County. Our instructional model follows the trivium and is based on phases of student development (Grammar > Dialectic > Rhetoric). A classical education involves a deliberate return to the timeless objective of education: empowering students to think and learn independently by providing them with the essential tools of learning. We teach students to think critically, learn systematically, and communicate effectively. We are excited about the future of our school and eager to get to know you and your child.

The School is located at 872 Orchard Street in Toledo, OH.

About

Mosaic Classical Academy equips students for a life of freedom and self-reliance, involving them in explorations of truth, justice, virtue, and beauty. We offer a time-tested approach to education that is based on the classical model where all knowledge is considered to be interrelated and not studied in isolation. A classical education involves a deliberate return to the timeless objective of education: empowering students to think and learn independently by providing them with the essential tools of learning.

ACADEMICS & ACCREDITATION

  • • Full-day Kindergarten

    • Early Entrance into Kindergarten: Eligible for children born Oct 1 - Dec 31 who pass an assessment

    • Content-rich education covering the full span of history from the Stone Age through the

    Space Age

    • Foundational skills built on explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, grammar,

    vocabulary & handwriting

    • Classic literature selections traditional in titles & content (Wind in the Willows, Aesop’s

    Fables, Treasure Island, etc)

    • Instructional model accredited by Cognia™

STUDENT LIFE

  • • Traditional character education & uniform policy drives school culture

    • Instructional model based on the trivium’s stages of student development: Grammar >

    Logic > Rhetoric

    • Gradual release of learning to the student as their age increases through strategies such as

    Socratic seminar

    • Well-rounded studies include History, Literature & Art

    • Part of the Mosaic Family Zone

THE TRIVIUM

The Trivium, meaning "the place where three roads meet" in Latin, is the foundation of a classical education and equips students with the tools for lifelong learning through three stages:

Grammar (K-4th grade): This stage focuses on acquiring the basic building blocks of knowledge. Students learn the mechanics of language, factual information across subjects, and essential skills like reading, writing, and math.

Logic (5th-8th grade): Here, students develop critical thinking skills. They learn to analyze information, identify patterns, and question what they hear. Subjects are explored through a lens of cause and effect, encouraging logical reasoning and debate.

Rhetoric (9th-12th grade): This stage refines the ability to communicate effectively. Students learn to organize their thoughts, construct persuasive arguments, and express themselves clearly through writing and speaking. They delve into complex ideas, analyze different perspectives, and learn to present their findings with eloquence.

Essentially, the Trivium teaches students how to learn by building upon each other:

Grammar provides the tools: Students gather information and acquire the foundational knowledge necessary for further exploration.

Logic equips them to analyze: They develop the ability to think critically, identify strengths and weaknesses in arguments, and form their own well-reasoned conclusions.

Rhetoric empowers them to communicate: Students can effectively express their understanding, share their knowledge, and persuade others.

Think of it this way: grammar is like gathering ingredients, logic is like following a recipe, and rhetoric is the final presentation of the delicious dish.

This approach fosters a love of learning that transcends memorization of facts. Students become active participants in their education, capable of asking insightful questions, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and independently navigating new areas of knowledge.

Classical vs. Traditional Education: Learning How vs. Learning What

The world of education is vast and varied, offering countless approaches to learning. Two prominent methods that have stood the test of time are classical education and traditional education. While both aim to equip students with knowledge and skills, their fundamental philosophies differ significantly.

Traditional Education: What to Learn

Traditional education, often the norm in many schools, focuses primarily on imparting information. Students are presented with facts, figures, and concepts that they are expected to memorize and understand. The curriculum is typically structured around specific subjects, with a clear progression from basic to advanced knowledge.

Key Characteristics:

• Emphasis on content mastery

• Standardized testing

• Teacher-centered instruction

• Focus on specific subjects and disciplines.

While traditional education provides a solid foundation of knowledge, it can sometimes limit students' ability to think critically and creatively. It can also create a passive learning environment where students are primarily consumers of information rather than active participants in the learning process.

Classical Education: How to Learn

Classical education takes a different approach, prioritizing the development of critical thinking, communication, and reasoning skills. Rather than simply teaching what to learn, it focuses on how to learn. The goal is to equip students with the tools they need to think independently, analyze information, and solve problems.

Key Characteristics:

• Emphasis on the liberal arts

• Focus on developing critical thinking and communication skills

• Student-centered learning

• Use of classical texts and literature

Classical education often follows a three-stage model: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. In the grammar stage, students build a foundation of knowledge. In the logic stage, they learn to analyze information and form arguments. In the rhetoric stage, they develop the ability to communicate effectively.

Imagine two students learning about history. A student in a traditional setting might memorize dates, names, and events. A student in a classical setting would also learn these facts but would spend more time analyzing the causes and effects of historical events, debating different interpretations, and writing persuasive essays about historical figures.

Both classical and traditional education have their merits, and the best approach for a child may depend on individual learning styles and goals. Classical education stands out as a superior approach by focusing on developing the whole person, not just imparting information. Through critical thinking, communication, and reasoning skills, it equips students for lifelong success..

Family Resources

Tips for preventing abductions worksheet

Meet the MCA Board

  • The goals for the utilization of Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid and Student Wellness and Success Fund are: 

    1.  Reading improvement and intervention that is aligned with the science of reading and evidence-based strategies for effective literacy instruction;

    2. Professional development in the science of reading and evidence-based strategies for effective literacy instruction for teachers of students in kindergarten through third grade;

    3. School safety and security measures;

    4. Culturally appropriate, evidence-informed prevention services, including youth-led programming and curricula to promote mental health and prevent substance use and suicide, and trauma-informed services.