Lexington Latin School Promotes Classic Virtues
When asked to characterize Lexington Latin School, Paula May, Dean of the Upper School, conjures an ideal from the classics – Virtue.
“Virtue is really important at the school,” said May who has more than 20 years experience in education, the past three at LLS.
“We study the classics, heroic stories about larger than life characters. We are training our students to be virtuous citizens. This is real character training.”
Lexington Latin School is a place where the Virtues (Prudence, Justice, Temperance, Courage, and Faith, Hope and Charity) are everyday matters.
During a recent class discussion (May also teaches rhetoric), a high school student said she had never heard a mean, unkind or cutting word about another student in school.
“That’s quite a statement,” May said. “More than anything we want students to be better people.”
That effort is built on a foundation of classical, Christian education. In high school, now in its third year and housed at Quest Community Church, Latin and Mathematics are the core classes. (LLS is the only high school in the Bluegrass that requires four years of Latin.)
Further coursework includes the sciences, history, classical/Christian studies, logic, rhetoric and music.
Other activities include chess and drama clubs plus interscholastic sports archery, cross country and volleyball.
“Like the rest of the Jr.-K through 12th grade school, students attend classes Tuesday-Thursday and complete home assignments from the teachers on Monday and Friday.
That schedule is ideal preparation for college where independent study and time management are crucial.
May also is instituting a thesis project for all seniors, who tackle a controversial, substantial topic, research it, write a 12-15 page paper and then defend their thesis before a panel.
The Upper School consists of grades seventh-12th with 53 students, including 18 seventh graders.
The first graduating class in 2015 consisted of one student – a National Merit Finalist who attends the University of Dallas.
Six graduated last year with four set to receive diplomas this spring.
LLS also employs the House system, based on the British model. Students are grouped in four houses that are self-ruled and designed to build camaraderie and foster school values as expressed by Headmistress Jeannie Davis.
“Join us and rise to a higher standard,” she said. “LLS seeks that standard in the good, the beautiful, and the true of our classical, Christian education for all students.
“Lexington Latin School will take your student to the very summit of academics, the richness of the classics and the truths of the gospel.”