The vision for classical Christian education in Tallahassee was cast in 1998, when three families were introduced to Douglas Wilson’s book, Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Hill, Mr. and Mrs. David Healy, and Dr. and Mrs. Logan Brooks were stirred by the challenge of C. S. Lewis: “The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come.” The Hills attended various classical conferences in 1999, and God provided a group of home schooling families who were eager to experience a classical approach. During 2000-01, using Shurley English, linear history and other distinctive curricula, Karen Hill introduced these parents to the methodology, meeting weekly in the Hills’ home. Classes were dynamic, results measurable, and interest growing.
By 2001-02, the cooperative expanded and moved to Wildwood Church. The original families plus others sought God’s will through weekly prayer meetings. The Lord nurtured our hope for a full time school, while the Hills directed classical study in the home school community. In 2002-03 the cooperative divided into “Grammar” (elementary) classes at Wildwood taught by mothers; and a two-day “Logic” (middle school) program with Latin, Logic and core classes taught by instructors. Additional parents committed to development of a school included the Yang and Gibbons families.
After traveling to Pensacola, Florida to observe the classical Trinitas Christian School, in 2003, under Jimmy Hill’s leadership, a formal Board was established. That fall, the Lord sent new families to both the Grammar and Logic cooperatives. The name Soli Deo Gloria remains the Academy’s motto. During the spring of 2004, Christ Classical Academy Board voted to open up a classical Christian school offering instruction to students K through seventh grade. The First Church of the Nazarene graciously opened up their facility allowing our 28 students to meet in their classrooms.
In the fall of 2006, the Academy offered four-year-old kindergarten (Pre-K4) through ninth grade. In 2008, the Board expanded the grades to include a high school offering that would grow one grade at a time until the first graduating class of 2010. By the fall of 2016 CCA’s enrollment reached over 200 students, and the Academy currently spans two campuses. The Board of Directors and Headmasters continue to develop the vision that the Lord has given us to offer classical education in Leon County. It is our conviction that God calls us each to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind (Matt. 22:37). To this end, and for His glory, we offer Christ Classical Academy. We invite your family to join us as we seek to fulfill this high calling.
