A classical education describes the method of education and curriculum choice to support it. To put it succinctly, it is a return to the model of education that has been utilized across civilizations for centuries - teaching how to learn not just what to learn. “A liberal arts education”, “the art of classical learning”, “classical education”: these all refer to the same tradition that’s been the standard of excellence in education for more than three thousand years. For the ancient Greeks and Romans, this was the only sort of education worthy of a free man. The term “liberales artes” literally means “the art of freedom”.

Classical education denotes three stages to learning, commonly called the Trivium:
Grammar - which focuses on learning facts; Logic - which focuses on understanding; Rhetoric - which focuses on integration and synthesis
In the Grammar stage, the student is a sponge; they want to learn about all the dots and have someone begin to show him how they connect.
In the Logic stage, the student can see and understand the dots but wants to connect them himself by asking how, what and why.
In the final stage, the Rhetoric stage, the student learns to synthesize all he has learned; not only can he connect the dots but produce them as well.

Classical Lutheran education is the utilization of classical curriculum wrapped in Christian love and Lutheran catechesis.
"The liberal arts can equip a child for effective service in the world; catechesis can equip a child for everlasting life." Gene Edward Veith

Classical education is being utilized more and more across our country, both in conjunction with Christian instruction and without. For a third party review and opinion on this education model, read this article from the Manhattan Institute.

By God’s grace, we aspire to assist families in the education of their children, providing excellence through Lutheran and Classical education. We endeavor to teach children to listen carefully, think biblically, reason soundly, and express themselves clearly. We aim to encourage them to evaluate all human knowledge and experience in light of the Scriptures. We desire them to live and serve in Christian humility, gratitude, and grace. 

Enrollment for Kindergarten through 5th grade students for the 2024-2025 school year is open now! Click HERE to download a registration card.

To schedule a tour or ask any enrollment questions, call (309) 944-3993. 

*CLA has been blessed with a generous tuition grant! Each student at CLA will receive $1000 toward their tuition every year until the grant is fully used.*

Concordia Lutheran Academy is a non-profit organization. We are not here for financial gain but we do have costs.  The primary source of funding at CLA is the generous donations through fundraising as well as the thoughtful offerings of Concordia members. The secondary source of funding is through school tuition. The following tuition and fees have been established by the Education Board here at Concordia.

Tuition for the 2024-2025 School Year is as follows -

Book Fee: $125 - paid with registration

Kindergarten: $3300

Upper Grades: $4300

2 students family cap: $7000

3+ students family cap: $9000

Yes! Busing to and from CLA is available through Pink's Bus Service. To qualify for busing, your student must be getting picked-up or dropped-off more then 1.5 miles from Concordia. Please contact the office with any questions.