The world is full of distortions that lead students away from the truth. The more exposure children have to these distortions, the more their hearts are given to the world. We must be intentional about what we feed our hearts and minds. In a world of rapidly changing definitions, holding to the principles of teaching the true, the good, and the beautiful is essential. The phrase “the true, the good, and the beautiful” is the cornerstone of Tulsa Classical Academy’s teaching philosophy. We teach our students to seek truth in all things, desire the goodness of life, and reflect beauty in their lives.
The first transcendental principle of this statement is truth. Students at TCA are taught to seek truth and turn away from all things that are not true. Our classroom instructional practices follow a rigorous curriculum designed to engage with primary sources and time-tested classical texts that cultivate critical thinking skills. Through this process, students learn to discern the truth from falsehood, question assumptions, and love what is true. We teach them never to tolerate lies, cheating, false ideas, slander, and deceit.
The second principle is “the good.” The cultivation of virtue and ethical discernment is central to classical education. We draw upon Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics to develop a good life. Virtuous living is central to a “good” life. Through studying history, philosophy, and literature, students encounter great examples of virtues and learn how to confront moral dilemmas. The school teaches students how our ten virtues lead to a good life.
The final principle is beauty. Beauty has the power to inspire awe, to kindle the imagination, and to awaken the soul to higher realities. Beauty is not just aesthetic. Beauty manifests itself in many forms. It can be the symmetry of a flower, the melody of a symphony, or the exactness of a mathematical equation. Through studying the seven liberal arts, students learn to appreciate the harmonious order of the world. We challenge students to contemplate beauty, cultivating a sense of wonder and reverence for the world around them. The true, the good, and the beautiful are all interconnected.
Tulsa Classical Academy infuses the principles of the true, the good, and the beautiful in all areas of the school. Our goal is that these principles will form well-rounded students who can navigate a distortion-filled world with clarity, intellect, and virtue.
Dr. Kevin Jones
Acting Head of School
