What Is a Chesterton Academy? (Part 1)
What is a Chesterton Academy? What makes it unique? What makes it a classical education? And why is this kind of education so important? In a series of posts, we will explore some of these topics over the coming weeks, sharing our vision for this new high school opening in Pensacola in 2023.
The Chesterton Schools Network
Chesterton Academy of The Florida Martyrs is part of the Chesterton Schools Network. Today, there are 44 schools within the Chesterton Schools Network, which includes those that opened this year. We expect many more to open in 2023 and the coming years!
And how did this become possible? In 2007, two men, Dale Ahlquist and Tom Bengston, sought to provide alternative high school options for their families. Their goal was to offer an affordable classical high school education with an emphasis on the Catholic Faith. With G.K. Chesterton modeling a complete thinker and modern defender of the Faith, they named the school Chesterton Academy and opened their doors in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. Drawing inspiration from Pope Saint John Paul II, they adopted the motto Cultura Vitae, the culture of life.
By 2013, the school’s popularity had grown to an international level. In response to increasing demand for aid in other grassroots schools, they established the Chesterton Schools Network. The Network is now a project of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton. The Society of G.K. Chesterton is a Catholic lay apostolate, recognized formally as a canonical private association of the Christian faithful.
Who is G.K. Chesteron?
Our patron, G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), was an English writer and Catholic convert. As one who lived his life through joy, wonder, and gratitude, he inspires our faculty, staff, and students to grow likewise in the Catholic Faith. He was an extraordinarily prolific writer in the early 20th century. In 1922, he converted to Catholicism and, after his death, was eulogized by Pope Pius XI as “a gifted defender of the faith.”
Presently, many around the world would like to see him canonized. Due to his fullness of faith and reason, Catholic joy, and common sense, he was chosen as the Academy’s patron.
In future posts, we will delve into the elements of a Chesterton Academy education.
