Welcome to Down Home, San Luis Obispo Classical Academy’s blog! We are a classical school offering several options to make our education work for families with infants through high schoolers. Our signature hybrid program, which is part-time classroom and part-time home instruction, provides an engaging education for preschool through middle school (with full time options available). We also have a university model high school. This blog is meant to support and encourage on the home front because, in so many ways, the heart of what happens at SLO Classical Academy happens down home.

Semper discentes—always learning together.

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SLOCA Dads

{photo by Michelle Dorman}

A few weeks ago SLO Classical Academy hosted “Dads' Days,” an opportunity for dads (or any non-homeschooling parent) to come and see their kids in action, and participate alongside them. We had a great turnout, with parents and children enjoying the time together.

We asked some of the dads to comment on what they took away from the experience, what they appreciate about our school, or anything they find encouraging about their kids/family and SLOCA life. Here are their responses:

SLOCA's environment mirrors our goals and style of parenting, giving our children a rich educational experience without compromising our core family values. Spending time with my youngest daughter in Jr. Kindergarten at the recent Dad's Day was not only a special experience for the both of us, but also reassured me that SLOCA is committed to our children by creating a rich, interactive environment that provides even the littlest ones with a sense of empowerment, pride and excitement for learning.

~ Eric Boyd, Track A Dad to Evan (LMS) and Neilani (Jr. K)

I was struck by how my kids responded when I attended their classes. My seven year old ran over to greet me and give me a bear hug when I stepped into the classroom and then gave me a few more hugs intermittently before going out for recess. The teachers from pre-K thru upper MS were engaging and creative utilizing everything from nursery rhyme recitation with my 3 year old to making clay amulets with my 13 year old to facilitating group discussion while inter-mixing multi-media with my 10 year old. These were precious moments I will not soon forget.

~ John Erb, Track B dad to Katie (UMS), Austin (LMS), Cameron (Primary), and Colton (Pre-K)

{photo by Jamie Mickey}

What I appreciate is the care that our children receive at SLOCA. It is so easy to see when on campus for Dad's day. It's hard to imagine at times, leaving your children in someone else's care for long periods of time, but we really do feel like when we drop our kids off for school days, we are just leaving them with extended family. It's really a wonderful feeling!

~Will McCabe, Track B dad to Aidan (Primary), Owyn (Kindergarten), and Quinian (age 2)

I would just like to say that I wish my education experience would have been like the one my daughters (Caitlyn and Jordyn) are receiving from SLOCA. If it would have been, I would have been more interested in school than what I was. The way SLOCA teaches history alone impresses me and continues to do so, not to mention the other classes that are offered. I really enjoyed going to the Dad's day. I loved sitting next to my daughters and watching them as they paid attention and participated in class. This year I sat in with Jordyn while the class worked on writing – the way her eyes lit up when called upon showed me she enjoys the school. And then I had the privilege of sitting in with my oldest Caitlyn during Art class. She is very creative and it showed that day as they were making Egyptian jewelry. Thank you for including me and the other dads – it was really a special day… God bless.

~Craig Cheatum, Track B dad to Caitlyn (UMS) and Jordyn (Intermediate)

{photo by Penny Malley}

I appreciate that our kids are learning unrefined history. The more I learn about the past, the more I realize that it is totally true what King Solomon said “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” The only way we can avoid the errors of the past is to learn about them, unrefined, with the context that the literature of the time gives. I love that!

~Paul Bischoff, Track A dad to Kate (UMS), Georgia (Intermediate) and Calvin (Primary)

The fact that SLOCA has been consistently growing each year for almost a decade now speaks volumes about the quality of its education. I see first-hand each day how the tight collaboration between the teachers, parents, and administration sets the stage for a learning environment that is conducive to all types of learners. My son and daughter, for example, have thrived in such a Classical model, in which they can both develop and mature socially and academically without compromising their love for learning… nor their individuality.

~ Peter Perneel, Track B dad to Dylan (Intermediate) and Brooklyn (Jr. K)