Frequently Asked Questions
What is classical Christian education?
Classical Christian education, is not the mere accumulation of facts, nor the anxious pursuit of examinations. No, It is the deliberate formation of the soul — the cultivation of wisdom and virtue — through a steady diet of the true, the good, and the beautiful.
By way of the seven liberal arts — grammar, logic, rhetoric, and their noble companions — the student is trained to think clearly, speak well, and live rightly. And, in Christ, this education is transfigured: no longer a mere humanist endeavour, but a preparation for the knowledge, the glorifying, and indeed the enjoyment of God Himself.
Now that, we daresay, is education worthy of the name. Learn more below:
What is The Classical School?
The Classical School exists to serve home-educating families.
We’re a tutoring centre, not a registered school. Think of us as a hybrid alternative: weekly full-day classes (Tuesday–Thursday) built on a classical Christian curriculum.
Our goal? To see children grow in faith, knowledge, and character — while also meeting, and often exceeding, the Western Australian Curriculum.
All our teaching is grounded in the Scriptures and shaped by the historic faith of the Church.
We’re a Christian social enterprise — legally a Pty Ltd company — but in practice we work like a cooperative community, bringing parents, tutors, and parish together to educate and disciple children.
To enrol: parents must first register their children as home-educated students with the WA Department of Education.
Why do I need to be registered for Home Education?
Because The Classical School is not a registered school under the School Education Act 1999 (WA).
To enrol with us, you must first be registered as a home educator with the WA Department of Education.
Registration is straightforward. Simply email the North Metro Education Office at:
NorthMetropolitanERO.PublicInbox@education.wa.edu.au
Here’s a suggested draft you can use:
Subject: Home Education Registration Request
Dear North Metro Education Office,
I would like to register my child/children for home education under the School Education Act 1999 (WA).
Could you please advise me of the next steps and provide the necessary forms?
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Do parents need to attend?
Short answer: No. But you do need to be readily available.
Longer answer (with the legal stuff):
The Classical School is what’s called a “prescribed (f) class” of private tutoring centre. Translation: we run as an organised cooperation of homeschooling families, not as a daycare or registered school.
This means we are exempt from the Education and Care Services National Law (WA) Act 2012. Why? Because in our model:
- Education and care is primarily provided or shared by parents or family members,
- And a parent (or family member, or parent-authorised nominee) is readily available and retains responsibility for their child.
Here’s the official wording (for the fellow law nerds):
Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012
Chapter 1, Regulation 5(2)(f):
“The following classes of service are excluded from the definition of education and care service:
(f) a service that provides education and care to children where the education and care is primarily provided or shared by parents or family members of the children and a parent or family member is readily available for the period that the child is educated and cared for and retains responsibility for the child.”
So in practice: all of our tutors are either parents, family members, or parent-authorised nominees of children in our program.
And when we say “family member,” that’s defined pretty broadly in law — parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, adopted relatives, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship relations, or even someone recognised in the child’s community as having a familial role.
Which fits exactly what we do. Because within the unique classical Christian community of The Classical School, our tutors are entrusted with the children as family — in the ancient and well-established practice of in loco parentis (“in the place of a parent”).
So no, you don’t have to sit in class with your child. But you are never handing your child over to strangers. You’re entrusting them to a family-shaped Christian community that carries your authority with love and care.
Where & when will you be meeting?
Picture this: a Tuesday morning in the leafy and established Perth inner suburb of Mount Lawley.
The hand bell rings, the children line up, and the day begins with prayer in the Parish Hall at St Patrick’s Anglican Church — right on the corner of First Ave & Beaufort Street.
Not a soulless brick block surrounded by barbed wire & cyclone fencing. A living parish with a beautiful old church.
And every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am sharp to 3:15pm, that’s where you’ll find us: singing, learning, praying, growing.
Are your staff qualified teachers?
Yes!
When you send your child to The Classical School, you get more than help with lessons. You gain partners who will give you breathing space, reinforce what you’re already teaching at home, and nurture your child with the same Christian care you do.
Our tutors know how to bring out confidence, spark curiosity, and encourage godly character — so your children come home not just having “kept up,” but having grown in wisdom and joy.
All our staff are at least four year university trained, some have post graduate qualifications in Classics and/or Education and between them have over four decades of teaching experience.
How will your classes be structured?
Maybe you’ve seen it yourself:
Your child sits in a mainstream classroom, waiting while the rest of the class catches up. They finish early. They fidget. They get bored. And slowly… they lose their spark.
At The Classical School, we refuse to let that happen.
We group children by stage, not just age — so they can move forward when they’re ready, and receive support when they need it. The goal is simple: every child is challenged, every child is engaged.
Here’s our 2026 framework:
- Early Learners (K) – age 4 before June 30 ...and toilet trained
- Beginning Readers (PP–1)
- Growing Readers (Years 2–3)
- Intermediate Readers (Years 4–6)
- Advanced Readers (Years 7–10)
These stages are flexible. Because no child should ever be held back— or rushed — by the system.
What is your maximum class size?
Think about what happens in a crowded class.
Your child fades into the background. Their questions don’t get answered. Maybe they misbehave.
Now imagine the opposite.
A room small enough that your child is seen, their voice is heard, and their learning is shaped to them. That’s what happens when classes stay small: teachers can notice struggles early, encourage confidence, and build strong relationships.
That’s why we choose to cap our groups at 16 students.
How are you funded?
We are funded through parent fees and private donations.
We do not accept government funding, because The Classical School is not a registered school. This is deliberate: our independence protects our freedom to teach Christ without compromise.
For comparison: under the government’s Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), a registered school in Australia receives about $16,600 per student per year. That could mean more than $1 million in government funding flowing to us if we registered as a school.
We choose not to take it.
That means your fees and generosity matter. They don’t just keep the doors open — they keep The Classical School free to deliver a classical Christian education without government strings attached.
So how much will it cost?
2026 Fee Schedule
At The Classical School our tuition is funded directly by families who share our vision: small classes, classical Christian formation, and independence from government control.
Annual Fees (including GST)
$7700 - Kindy (Half Day)
$9900 - Pre-Primary & Year 1
$9900- Year 2 & 3
$10550 - Year 4-6
$10950 - Year 7-10
Payment Options
- Pay in full (Cash, EFT, Credit Card)
- Or spread payments across 12 monthly instalments by direct debit
- Tuition is pro-rated if you join partway through the year
Why it’s worth it
Our fees are an investment in more than lessons — they’re an investment in your child’s future. They mean:
- Your child is noticed, not lost in the crowd — their strengths are nurtured and their struggles are supported.
- You’re not raising them alone — Christian tutors stand alongside you, reinforcing the faith and values of your home.
- Your children learn to love what is true, good, and beautiful — not just to pass tests.
- Your family’s convictions are protected — free from government agendas and shifting cultural fashions.
Because what matters most isn’t simply what your child learns…
It’s who they become.
Are you offering any “elective only” classes?
For Years K–6, the answer is simple: no.
Our three-day program is deliberately designed as a fully integrated curriculum. To benefit from it, students need to be enrolled in the full program.
For Years 7–10, things work differently. Our secondary program is built on a unit-based system. Students enrol in one or more of these core strands:
- Humanities & Science
- Logic & Mathematics
- Music, Drama/Art & Latin
This gives older students some flexibility while still ensuring that every subject is taught within the framework of a classical Christian education.
What subjects will you be teaching?
Our core program covers the essentials:
- English & Mathematics
- Science & Humanities (History, Geography, Civics, Economics)
- Visual Art & Music
- Latin, Bible reading, and prayer
- Plus plenty of games, activities, and community life
What makes us different is how we teach them. Every subject is approached through the prism of the liberal arts:
- Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric (the Trivium)
- Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy (the Quadrivium)
- Great Books of the Western Canon
Since we are a K–6 tutoring centre, our special focus is on the Trivium — teaching children how to read well, think clearly, and speak persuasively, while growing in virtue.
We also draw on the Charlotte Mason tradition of nature study and Montessori’s hands-on methods, giving children time outdoors, practical learning experiences, and a love of discovery.
Are you offering High School classes?
Yes. And not in the way you’ve seen it done before.
The Classical School teaches Years 7–10 with dedicated tutors. But instead of shoving kids through a conveyor-belt curriculum, we built a opt in unit-based program that actually makes sense:
- Great Books, Rhetoric & Science
- Logic & Mathematics
- Music, Drama, Visual Art & Latin
Every strand taught through the lens of a classical Christian worldview.
And then comes the big question parents always ask:
But what about Year 11 and 12?
Home schooled kids cant sit for ATAR exams, so from 2027, our answer is bold: we undertake to partner with Veritas Press Scholars Academy (US). That means your child can earn the American High School Diploma and prepare for the SATs — giving them a clear pathway into universities here in Australia… and across the world.
But here’s the twist: it’s not just online schooling in isolation.
Because teenagers don’t just need textbooks. They need community.
So our senior students will:
- Meet face-to-face every week for teaching, prayer, and fellowship
- Build real friendships with other Christian teens
- Serve together in parish and community life
- Play sport, enjoy games, and share life together
Because by the time your child is 17, it’s not only about grades. It’s about becoming the kind of man or woman who can stand strong in Christ — wise, courageous, and ready for life.
That’s what our high school is about.
What curriculum will you be using?
We believe Christian children need a Christian curriculum.
That’s why we draw from the world’s leading Classical Christian publishers — including Veritas Press, Classical Academic Press, Logos Press, and Memoria Press. To this foundation we add Australian literature and history, along with a steady diet of great books that have stood the test of time.
In our classrooms, every subject is discipleship. English becomes pastoral care and Christian living. Science and Mathematics become moments of worship — glimpses of God’s order, beauty, and design.
Our program not only meets the Western Australian Curriculum requirements — it exceeds them in both depth and breadth.
In Science and Mathematics, we use narrative and mastery-based texts that emphasise understanding the “who” behind creation, as well as the “why” and the “how.” Students work with proven resources such as Singapore Math, Saxon Math, Life of Fred, and classic, time-tested textbooks.
The result? A curriculum that is rigorous, joyful, and unapologetically Christian — shaping children who can think clearly, reason deeply, and live faithfully.
Do we need to be Christians to attend?
The Classical School was founded to partner with Christian families in the formation of their children, equipping them to walk faithfully in the truth of Christ.
For this reason, enrolment priority is given to children from Christian households where at least one parent or grandparent is baptised and professes the Christian faith.
All students participate fully in the daily life of the School — including prayer, Scripture reading, and the singing of hymns — and are expected to live and speak in a way that reflects Christian moral teaching during their time with us.
What about devices?
At The Classical School, we are intentionally low-tech. Students are not required to own a device, and individual screen time is not a feature of our curriculum.
Tutors may use appropriate technology to deliver content, but our classrooms are built around books, discussion, hands-on activities, and face-to-face community.
We make this choice because the evidence is clear: too much screen time harms children’s cognitive development, social skills, and wellbeing. By keeping technology in its place, we give students the space to grow in attention, imagination, and real human connection.
Why not a full week?
Because we don’t need one.
With small classes and focused learning, our students cover more in three days than most schools manage in five.
This rhythm also leaves Mondays and Fridays free for homeschooling families to pursue co-curricular opportunities — community sport, cultural activities, family projects, and yes… the blessing of a longer weekend together. All leading to well adjusted children, with good behaviour and healthy attachment to parents.
What accountability mechanisms are in place?
We take child protection and safety seriously. To ensure accountability, we have a number of safeguards in place:
- Parent presence – Parents are welcome on site at any time, ensuring openness and transparency.
- Weekly reports – Families receive weekly tutoring notes outlining subjects and topics taught, keeping parents fully in the loop.
- Tutor clearances – All tutors hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) and National Police Clearance. Many are also registered with the TRBWA, trained in both the moral and legal requirements of child safety.
- Standards and accreditation – While not a registered school, we voluntarily follow the Non-Government School Registration Standards as our benchmark. We are also accredited with the Australian Tutoring Association (ATA), which provides a model code of conduct and ongoing training.
- Insurance, policies and governance – We maintain comprehensive insurance cover through a professional broker. We are also advised by a Board of Reference, who provide wisdom, advice, and external accountability as needed. We also have a Staff Handbook and a suite of policies that guide our daily practice and procedures.
Together, these measures give families confidence that The Classical School is a safe, transparent, and trustworthy place for their children.
Do you have a Statement of Faith?
Yes. While The Classical School Pty Ltd is not formally affiliated with the Anglican Church of Australia, our work is rooted in the reformed Anglican tradition.
We hold to:
- The Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God
- The historic creeds of the Church
- The witness of the Church Fathers
- The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion
- The Book of Common Prayer
- The Jerusalem Declaration (2008)
These provide the foundation for our doctrinal convictions and ethical practice as we partner with families in the Christian formation of their children
What is your view on human sexuality?
We recognise that questions of human sexuality are deeply significant for families discerning the right educational setting for their children. The Classical School’s doctrine—both in belief and in practice—is shaped by the historic teaching of Holy Scripture and upheld by the witness of the early Church and affirmed by the Church through the ages.
We believe:
- God created humanity male and female (Genesis 1:27).
- Marriage is the covenant union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6).
- Sexual activity belongs only within marriage, and other forms of sexual activity are contrary to a life that pleases God. (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Romans 1:26–27).
- We also affirm the wider Anglican witness expressed in GAFCON’s Jerusalem Declaration (Tenet 8, 2008).
We believe that sex education is, in the first place, a responsibility entrusted by God to parents within the household. The Classical School is committed to holding, practising and where applicable teaching this Biblical and historic doctrine of marriage and sexuality.
Because education is always a partnership between the school and the household, we cannot enrol nor mainatin families who reject our doctrines, including our confession of God’s design for marriage and family life.*
* The Classical School asserts, affirms, and reserves its status as a body established for religious purposes within the meaning of Section 72 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA), and undertakes to conduct all programs, activities, and operations consistently with its doctrines, tenets, and beliefs in accordance with that provision; and accordingly exercises its right to religious freedom and freedom of association as protected by that Act and by law.