Cross Classical Academy

Cross Classical Academy is a private, Christian, university-model school in Brownwood, Texas. It is Brownwood's only university-model school—a fast-growing alternative education model and example of the resurgent^[1] classical education movement—and one of only 21 in Texas and 51 in the United States.^[2] Following a small pilot program during the 2010-2011 school year, Cross Classical opened in fall 2011 on the campus of Union Presbyterian Church in downtown Brownwood.^[3] The school currently offers grade levels K-5 and has an enrollment of 23 students, with an enrollment of 40 in grades K-6 anticipated for 2012-2013.^[4] Its mascot is the Eagles, which is drawn from Isaiah 40:31 in the Bible.^[5]

History

Cross Classical Academy was conceived in spring 2009 by Mandi Moore, a local mother exploring educational options for her kindergarten-age daughter. Moore felt she wanted a higher level of parental involvement than public school or a traditional five-day-a-week private school offered, but didn't feel her daughter would be well served by homeschooling.^[6] She enlisted the help of Joyce Baker, a fellow church member and former school board member in nearby Zephyr, Texas, and over the next year the pair worked on the school's launch. Initially, they assumed Cross Classical would not open until the 2011-2012 school year, but after another parent expressed immediate interest in the program, Moore and Baker realized that a small pilot program would be viable for 2010-2011.^[6]

Moore currently serves as the school's administrator (similar to a principal) and Baker serves as Academic Dean.^[7]

Educational model and mission

Cross Classical Academy adheres to a typical University-Model® school weekly schedule,^[8] with classes held two days a week—in Cross Classical's case, Monday and Wednesday—and students being homeschooled the other three days. The model is designed to allow parents a more active role in educating their children in an attempt to integrate the home and school environments.^[8]

The mission of the school is "to partner with parents to provide for their children a classical education founded upon a Biblical worldview in a University-Model® setting."^[3] Moore and Baker have stated that they see ministry as the most significant driving force behind Cross Classical's future.^[6]

Student base

Cross Classical Academy's current enrollment base draws from seven towns throughout central and west-central Texas and 15 community churches.^[5] Though the Brownwood, Texas micropolitan statistical area, as defined by the US Census, only has a population of about 38,000,^[9][10] Moore has stated that Cross Classical draws from a population base of 100,000, including students who commute from greater distances.^[6]

References