New Catholic high school opens in Aurora

Includes freshman and sophomore class this year

(AURORA, Ind.) – A new Catholic high school will open in Aurora on August 15.

Fiat Classical Academy will welcome freshmen and sophomores for the inaugural year. An additional grade level will be added the next two years to fill out grades 9-12. 

It was a two-year process to open the school, which has been granted the title of Catholic by the Archbishop of Indianapolis and issued performance-based accreditation by the Indiana State Board of Education. It is the latest in a nationwide movement of classical schools. 

Distinctive elements of classical education include a greater reliance on classic and primary sources, incorporation of Socratic conversation in addition to lectures, comprehensive integration across the curriculum, an emphasis on learning Latin, and a focus on beauty, goodness and truth.

Fiat Classical Academy says it takes a different, low-tech approach compared to some other schools. 

“In seeking a proper use of technology, we believe that our students are best served primarily through the human experiences of conversation, eye contact, and thinking deeply,” said Headmaster Adam Iadipaolo. 

Eleven students are enrolled for the inaugural year from public, Catholic and homeschooled backgrounds from Indiana and Ohio. 

Brad Macke, Head of Mission of Fiat Classical Academy, said, “This is not relegated to Mass or theology class, essential as they are, but finds expression in every nook and cranny of the school, including the books we select for literature class, emphasizing the beauty and order in mathematics, school culture and the artwork hanging on our walls.”

Fiat Classical Academy is hosting a national speaker on August 7 to share more about classical education. Peter Crawford, Academic Dean of the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, will present, “What is Education? Recasting the Drama of Human Formation” at Fiat Classical Academy on the campus of St. Mary’s (211 Fourth Street, Aurora). Ample time for Q&A will follow.

More information about the Aug. 7 event and Fiat Classical Academy in general can be found at www.FiatClassicalAcademy.org.