New Catholic High School Opens This August in Dearborn County

Fiat Classical Academy will take a different, low-tech approach to learning.

(Aurora, Ind.) - Fiat Classical Academy, a new high school in Aurora, will open its doors to freshmen and sophomores on August 15.

The school, officially granted the title of Catholic by the Archbishop of Indianapolis and issued performance-based accreditation by the Indiana State Board of Education, 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.

While the recent educational trend has been to incorporate the most and latest technology, Fiat Classical Academy takes a different, low-tech approach. “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. “Personal digital devices often become a distraction, and one that we think doesn’t truly serve our students in the classroom.”

The founding team has labored for the last two years to prepare Fiat Classical Academy to open its doors. Eleven students are enrolled for the inaugural year from public, Catholic and homeschooled backgrounds from Indiana and Ohio. An additional grade level will be added for the next two years to then serve grades 9-12. On the school’s first day, all faculty will take an Oath of Fidelity to the Catholic Church.

Brad Macke, Head of Mission of Fiat Classical Academy, said, “It was a joy for me to discover this educational approach. The entire endeavor has inner consistency, because Jesus Christ and human longing are the source and center of a comprehensive whole, which helps young people see and embrace the Catholic Faith and way of life. 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.”

On Aug. 7, Fiat Classical Academy is hosting a national speaker 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.