sloCAHS Big Sur camping trip
{photo by Chuck Smith}
Tonight we are hosting a Parent Preview Night and High School Open House (click here to RSVP), and today we have a couple of Magical Moments sent in by parents who want to share a snapshot of what they love about SLO Classical Academy High School (sloCAHS).
First, we’ll hear from Lori Curry, whose daughter Anna is a freshman at sloCAHS. A few weeks ago several of the high school students made a trip down to Santa Barbara to see the stage play Camelot. They had all read The Once and Future King over the summer, and this was a fun outing to celebrate the end of the semester:
I had an absolutely fabulous moment on the return trip from seeing Camelot in Santa Barbara. I had Anna and Caleb Campbell in the car with me and Mr. Larson joined us on the way home. Mr. Larson had not read The Once and Future King and he asked Anna and Caleb how the musical compared to the book. Well, the two of them spent the next 45 minutes to an hour explaining the book and the life of Arthur, discussing what was left out of the musical, why it was maybe left out, what was in the musical that didn't make sense, and generally regaling Mr. Larson with an entirely enthusiastic literary and theatrical critique.
It was fantastic to hear the three of them have their discussion and to think back on Anna doing her summer reading of The Once and Future King, and being less enthusiastic when she talked about how hard it was to get into some of the story. It struck me what a transformation of her opinion had happened after having time to discuss the book with her teacher and her peers and then having the opportunity to see the story in a different form (the play). It was great fun seeing the musical and sharing time with the wonderful families from SLOCA. It was magical hearing the conversation in the car on the way home.
And here’s a note from Stephanie Haynes, whose daughter Haley is a Junior currently. Her son Dylan graduated from sloCAHS last year, and is now attending the University of Nevada:
I was talking to Dylan on the phone about his new classes this semester in college. He is a freshman majoring in Geology and taking 21 units and is so excited about it! He's trying to decide on a minor or a double major because he's so interested in so many subjects. He said “I had forgotten how much I like Chemistry, and it's crazy how well Mrs. Bair's class prepared me for college Chemistry. I think I might minor in Chemistry!” and then “I had forgotten how much I like Spanish too! Maybe I'll minor in Spanish, or Mining Engineering. I can't decide! There's so much to choose from!” (He had taken 3 years of high school Spanish from Mrs. Wallace when she taught a small group at her home before she was teaching at SLOCA.)
To me this is an excellent example of how SLOCA and sloCAHS have fostered his love of learning rather than squashed it as so many high school programs seem to do. He's not so stoked about being away from home and living in Nevada, but he is so excited about the classes and the college! It's awesome!!
Dylan on a trip to Sedona – a place with amazing geology, which is his major
Dylan and Haley on a camping trip to Big Basin, where they
were excited to find a “Latin in our world” along the trail
(so cool that they still get excited to find Latin words!)
Thanks for sharing these moments, parents! We enjoy hearing about our students’ experiences and love of learning, both in high school and beyond. These are only two of many stories, and if you talk to our high school students and parents you'll hear more like these. Come to our SLOCA campus tonight at 7pm for our Open House, and learn more about our fabulous high school program!
