HOCA is a Founders Classical Academy School

The HOCA Weekly Pulse

October 23, 2025

What is the Trivium?


Dorothy Sayers was a British novelist and playwright through the late 1950s. She was a member of the famous Inklings literary circle that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and the creator of a popular fictional detective. She sold many books and gained national prominence for her witty writing style. While she was an excellent writer, Sayers was never a teacher. She was, however, a serious student of human behavior. As she interacted with people after World War 2, she began to notice that they seemed to know very little and were very susceptible to government propaganda. To address the issue, she wrote an essay addressing educational problems in Britain called “The Lost Tools of Learning.”


In it she suggested that people had failed to learn because they hadn’t been taught.


You can read her essay here.


Learn more: 

Can virtue be taught?


Dr. William Inboden is the executive vice president and provost at The University of Texas in Austin. Prior to his role at UT, he served as the director of the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida. In the following conversation, he discusses if virtue can be taught. This age-old question was first discussed by Plato in his short work called Meno.


Click here to watch or listen to Dr. Inboden’s discussion on the topic.


Mike Terry

National Director of Classical Education


Parent-Teacher Conferences

We are excited to announce that our Parent-Teacher Conference Day will take place on November 3rd, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM!


This year, we are embracing an all-virtual format, which not only ensures efficiency but also enhances accessibility for all our families. Keep an eye out for more details from your child's teacher(s) as we approach the date.


This special day is a wonderful opportunity for collaboration and communication, allowing us to work together in support of your child's educational journey.

Important Winter Weather Dress Code Reminder

As we move into the colder season, we kindly ask for your assistance in ensuring your children are prepared for outdoor activities.

Please ensure your student comes to school each day wearing a warm outside coat.


Also, we invite you to consider donating any gently used coats your family may no longer need. A Care Closet donation box is available for these items, helping keep all our students warm this winter.


A friendly reminder regarding our outdoor policy: classes may continue to go outside for recess and PE as long as the "feels like" temperature (including wind chill) remains above 20°F.

Picture Retake

Monday, October 27

Students who were absent on picture day, are new to our school, or would like to have their picture retaken can do so on Monday, October 27th. Please use the link below to sign up by Friday, October 24th.

Honoring Selfless Service and Cultivating Virtue


The Heart of Ohio Classical Academy (HOCA) invites our entire community and all local veterans to our Veterans Day Celebration Luncheon on Tuesday, November 11, at 12:45 PM.


At HOCA, our mission is to provide an education that fosters deep moral character and civic virtue. Your service is the most profound lesson in the courage, integrity, and noble purpose we strive to instill in our students. 


The celebration will feature performances by our middle school students. We are also honored to welcome guest of honor Scott Bunker, who will give an address drawing from his experience with the book, They Called Us "Lucky" by Ruben Gallego. The assembly will be followed by a small luncheon for all veterans and their guests.


Sponsor a Veteran's Table


We warmly invite our families and community to partner with us in the virtue of gratitude by sponsoring a veteran's meal. Your generous support ensures every veteran and their guest receives a beautiful, complimentary lunch.

Sponsor a Veteran's Table:


For a gift of $150, you can sponsor a table for our honored veterans and their guests.


Your family or business will be honored with a custom name placard at the luncheon, acknowledging your generosity and commitment to supporting our veterans.


We look forward to honoring you and celebrating your sacrifice.


Parent Volunteers Needed

Your involvement as a parent volunteer is not only welcomed but essential to enhancing our educational experience and fostering a nurturing environment for our students. We truly believe in the power of partnership among our staff, families, and students, and your contributions can make a significant impact.

We have various volunteer opportunities available, such as helping with the Dismissal Car Line to ensure a smooth and safe process for our students, assisting during lunchtime to keep things running efficiently, or providing support in our front office with administrative tasks.

Each role plays a crucial part in our mission to cultivate a supportive community. If you're interested in volunteering, we encourage you to reach out to our team at Volunteer@OhioClassical.org.

Our Drama Club will be holding their Scrooges Snack Shack TOMORROW, Friday, October 24th.

Upcoming Events

10/27 Lifetouch Picture Retakes

10/28-10/29 Vision Screening

10/31 Literature Parade (K-1) & Character Museum (2-3)

11/3 Parent Conferences (No school for students)

11/11 Veterans Day Luncheon

Important PSO Dates

10/25 HOCA Movie Matinee

11/3 Parent-Teacher Conferences

11/5 Charleston Wrap Fundraiser Ends

11/6 General PSO Meeting @ 5:30PM Art Room – All are welcome!

12/12 Charles Dickens Event

PSO Forum Update

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

It’s a bear necessity kind of day!

HOCA MOVIE DAY

THIS Saturday, October 25th at 1PM


Swing into the jungle with us for our 2nd Annual Movie Day at HOCA!

Bring the whole family and enjoy Disney’s The Jungle Book on the big screen.

The PSO will be selling popcorn and water—every bite supports our school’s general fund!

Mark your calendars, grab your friends, and come celebrate community, cinema, and a little wild fun.


Interested in helping plan the event? Reach out to Liz Darr – lizziedarr@gmail.com

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Winter Fundraiser

October 21st-November 5th


Help Us Kick Off the Holiday Season with Charleston Wrap!

This year, we’re partnering with Charleston Wrap—a one-stop shop for holiday gifts, wrapping paper, home goods, and more. With so many beautiful options, it’s the perfect way to get your holiday shopping started early! Plus, everything ships to the customer!


Packets have been sent home as of Tuesday, October 21st! Online sales end on 11/5.


Here’s the best part:

100% of proceeds will go toward staff gifts and a festive holiday lunch, replacing the traditional room parent collections. It’s a simple, meaningful way to show our appreciation for the teachers and staff who make HOCA so special.


Shop. Share. Support.

Let’s make this season bright—together!

We know you are out there...


The HOCA Foundation is on the hunt for a bold, creative spirit to help shape our very first annual Gala—an event destined to become a cornerstone of celebration and community.


If you’ve got a flair for planning, a heart for impact, and a vision that deserves the spotlight, we’d love to team up.

Contact: kate.koren@outlook.com

Visit The School

Parent Info Events


Discover how our tuition-free classical school fosters academic excellence, moral character, and a love of learning. Meet school leaders, explore our curriculum, and learn why families are choosing HOCA.

New Family Tours


Schedule a time for an in-person tour of the school to see the school and ask questions about all things Heart of Ohio Classical Academy. 

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!

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