Pursuing the True, Good, and Beautiful:

The Beautiful Inspires us to Excellence

Modern people like to say with conviction that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” It sounds fair, acknowledging that we all have our perspectives. But it is not the historical view of beauty, and it is actually something like saying that nothing is really beautiful unless I say it is. It is a deconstructivist approach to meaning that turns beauty into a mass of confusion, like the exterior of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. 

The classical view of beauty is that, first and foremost, it is an expression of universal standards. There is symmetry and order to it. It conforms with mathematical principles. Furthermore, Plato said that beauty is a thing reflecting its eternal form. C.S. Lewis wrote in The Abolition of Man that beautiful things have a real impact on our emotions. When we see a horse running across a field, we are all generally drawn to the sight. We recognize that the horse is doing what it is meant to do. 

Many (though not all) neurological studies support Lewis on this idea. MRI scans have demonstrated that specific regions of the brain light up when exposed to beautiful things, as defined by mostly agreed-upon universal standards. While none of the studies are conclusive, common sense, or intuition, does lead us to agree that we are all inspired by the same things: a sunset, an image of Paris at night, a snow-covered woods, the actions of a courageous person. And that is really the point in the end. We seek to be inspired to do good and to understand how beautiful things consistently inspire us. If a person seeks to be excellent in a field that provides value, we are inspired to follow the example. This tells us that excellence is true and real. That we are inspired by courage tells us that courage is true and real.

We are not always going to agree on specific examples. And it is also true that if we are not trained as children to recognize why a thing is beautiful, we tend to gravitate towards things that are base and subjective. This is why our students study the principles and forms of art, and why understanding music theory is just as important as learning to sing a song or play a musical instrument at a basic level. The same applies in math and science and the humanities. When we learn to see what constitutes excellence in behavior and understanding, we become more and more inspired to pursue truth and goodness throughout our lives.

We will always have our preferences. Certain things may inspire us more than others. But when our education is characterized by a commitment to understanding universal beauty, our ability to aspire to accomplish good things becomes more and more ingrained in the adults we become.

Mike Terry

Natl. Dir. of Classical Education

Founders Classical Academies

Music Class Winter Concert

There is nothing quite like the sound of music to usher in the holiday season! We are incredibly proud of the hard work our students have poured into their practice, and we would be honored to have you join us to witness the fruits of their dedication.



Please join us in the HOCA Auditorium next Tuesday, December 17th, for a free concert showcasing our talented students. To ensure a smooth afternoon, please note the specific performance time for your child’s grade level below. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Let’s Get Festive! Dress Down Day.

As we approach the holiday break, we want to celebrate our students' hard work with a little festive fun. Friday, December 19th, will be a Dress Down Day!

Students are invited to wear their favorite casual or festive tops paired with jeans. We simply ask that all jeans be free of holes or tears. We can’t wait to see everyone’s holiday spirit shine through the halls as we wrap up the term!

Reminder HOCA Morning and Afternoon Carline

⏰ MORNING

• 7:20 AM: Carline Opens (Breakfast available)
• 7:45 AM: Class Begins
• 7:46 AM: Tardy Bell

⏰ AFTERNOON

• 3:00 - 3:30 PM: Dismissal

✅ THE "MUST DO" LIST

• ENTER at the South "Carline Entry".
• SNAKE through the lanes following the Red Arrows.
• PULL FORWARD all the way in the Loading Zone.
• STAY in your car to keep the line moving.
• EXIT following the Blue Arrows.

🚫 SAFETY REMINDER

• Do not enter through the northern roundabout "NO Entry" area.
• Watch for kids near the Playground and loading/unloading zone.

Click Here for more details

Keeping Our School Family Healthy

As we navigate this season of "bugs," flus, and colds, our goal is to keep every child safe and well. We need your partnership to do this.

The Golden Rule: If your child has a fever or is vomiting, please keep them home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours (without medication).

Rest is the best medicine for them, and staying home is a gracious act of care for their teachers and friends. Please see the attached Handbook (p. 34) for details.

PSO Forum Update

~Where voices gather, ideas flourish, and community leads~

The HOCA PSO and Drama Club will be on site Friday 12/12 with refreshments for sale—a perfect way to enjoy the evening while supporting our students.

Stop by our PSO table to learn how you can get involved in school events and make a difference for our kids.

Popcorn $2

Bottled Water $1

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Thanks to your incredible support during the Charleston Wrap Fundraiser this fall, we were able to show our appreciation to staff in a special way. Each team member received a custom coaster, a $50 Amazon gift card, and other thoughtful goodies—plus we treated them to a delicious Italian buffet from Crafty Chefs Catering on Tuesday, December 9th.

Your efforts made this possible, and we’re so grateful for the generosity that keeps our school community thriving!

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The HOCA PSO is looking for organized, enthusiastic parents to take the lead on our upcoming events.

Chairing an event isn’t just about logistics—it’s about creating memorable experiences for our students, families, and staff.

What we’re looking for:

• Parents who are organized, reliable, and excited to lead
• Willingness to coordinate details and delegate tasks
• A positive spirit that inspires others to get involved
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If you’ve ever wondered how you can be more involved at HOCA, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.

PSO Chair Interest Form

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Join the PSO Leadership Team

Vice President Needed!

The HOCA Parent School Organization is looking for a dedicated leader to join our board as Vice President. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or brand new to the PSO, we welcome your interest. This role is a wonderful opportunity to help shape events, support fundraising efforts, and strengthen the connections that make our school community thrive.

If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved, now is the perfect time to make a meaningful impact. To learn more or express your interest, please contact Kate Koren, PSO President, at kate.koren@outlook.com.

Important PSO Dates

3/5/2026 – PSO General Meeting – ALL ARE WELCOME! 5:30PM HOCA Art Room

HOCA PSO Website | Facebook Group

HOCA Drama Club Presents: A Christmas Carol!

Join us for a wonderful night of classic theatre as the Heart of Ohio Classical Academy Drama Club presents Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol"

The Drama Club offers opportunities for children to perform and learn skills in building self-confidence, leadership, and dedication to the community.

• When: Friday, December 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
• Where: HOCA Auditorium, 1650 Lakehurst Ct., Dublin, Ohio.
• Admission: Tickets are $5 per person OR bring 4 canned items. Students are free.
• Give Back: All canned items will be donated to the Dublin Food Pantry!

Directed by: Hastings Wagamon

Breakfast & Lunch Program

We've got all the essential information and links you need to manage your student's Breakfast and Lunch accounts quickly and easily!

• ☑️View Balance: Check your student's current Breakfast/Lunch balance and history on Infinite Campus here.
• 💵Add Funds: Easily add money to your child's lunch account using our secure payment portal here.
• 🥪Lunch Menu: View this month's delicious Lunch Menu options here.
• Cost: $5.00 (Includes the main lunch and a milk)
• 🍎Breakfast Menu: See what's being served for breakfast this month here.
• Cost: $3.50 (Includes a juice and a milk)

Parent Volunteers Needed

Our Drama Club will be holding their Scrooges Snack Shack Fri., Dec. 12th

Know someone who might be interested in HOCA?

Many families are looking for something different—something better—for their child’s education. Your recommendation could lead them to a joyful, formative experience at HOCA. Let’s grow the Heart of Ohio Classical Academy community—together!