The Classical Academy of Sarasota
The Classical Academy (TCA) is a PreK-12 independent school located in Sarasota, Florida. TCA was founded in 2014 by Mr. Josh and Mrs. Harmony Longenecker and is based on the classical philosophy of education and modeled on Hillsdale College’s Classical Education pedagogy. TCA offers its students the opportunity to study and learn following a classical, time-honored approach, an education steeped in the best of Western Canon. We are a classical liberal arts school and often use primary texts and sources from the great thinkers (Homer, Plato, Virgil, Socrates, Descartes, theologians, philosophers, and political thought leaders). TCA is a school immersed in virtue, training students in the habits that will build their character.
Mission
The Mission of The Classical Academy of Sarasota is to develop the academic potential of each student through a rigorous, content-rich, classical liberal arts education while building in them a virtuous character. Thus, the following character traits are taught and embedded throughout a student’s TCA tenure: Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and Fortitude. Our purpose is to develop graduates who are logical thinkers, coherent writers, eloquent speakers, thought leaders, and responsible virtuous citizens.
Delivery of Content
Classical education rests on the concept of the Trivium, Latin for “the three ways” of learning. The Trivium comprises three stages:
Stage 1: Grammar (Knowledge- Grades K-4): This stage lays the foundation for all future areas of study. During this phase, students are trained to absorb large amounts of material, whether math facts, rules of phonics, events and dates in history, facts in science, or declensions in Latin.
Stage 2: Logic (Analysis- Grades 5-8): With a firm foundation of knowledge, students at this stage organically begin asking questions. They are ready to begin logically reasoning and analyzing information. Students are challenged to look at cause and effect, make logical connections, and question, examine, and organize the facts they have learned.
Stage 3: Rhetoric (Expression- Grades 9-12): Students are ready to form conclusions and express themselves with eloquence and confidence. Students are taught to communicate their judgment based on facts, research, and the connections made earlier. They can articulate their arguments in writing and public speaking, enabling them to take their place as scholars and citizens.
Leadership/ College Counseling
Mr. Josh Longenecker/ Founder and Head of School
Mrs. Harmony Longenecker/ Founder and Director of Advancement
Mr. Rick Soucie/ Upper School Dean
Mrs. Amanda Schwartz / College & Career Counselor
Dr. Jessica Patella / College & Career Counselor
TCA Office of Admission
https://tcasarasota.com/admissions/admission-information/
The College Counseling Program
Counselors discuss college counseling-related content in grades 9-10 which includes curriculum, course sequencing, degree of rigor, grade stratification, testing, interest inventory, extracurricular involvements, leadership development, and family financial status. We then move to college admissions-related content in grades 11-12 includes identifying appropriate colleges, completing applications, creating a college resume, essay development, gap year options, Bright Futures application, merit scholarship identification, completing all financial aid forms, interview process, college visit protocol, teacher recommendation requests, and outcomes. It is paramount to educate and empower all TCA families to be informed as they navigate these important decisions.
Enrollment/Faculty Data (2024-25)
Total: PreK-12 925
Class of 2025: 15
Class of 2026: 26
Class of 2027: 23
Class of 2028: 31
Total Upper School Enrollment: 95
Upper School Student-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Percent of Upper School Faculty with Advanced Degrees: 60%
Class Ranking, Grade Scale, Graduation Requirements, Curriculum, and Class of 2023 GPA Distribution Information
Class Rank
Due to the competitive nature and the high number of minimum course requirements to graduate, The Classical Academy currently does not rank students numerically.
TCA Grading Scale
Letter Percent Grade Point Value (unweighted/ weighted)/ AP + Dual Enrollment
A+ 97-100 4.00/ 5.00/ 5.50
A 93-96 4.00/ 5.00/ 5.50
A- 90-92 3.67/ 4.67/ 5.17
B+ 87-89 3.33/ 4.33/ 4.83
B 83-86 3.00/ 4.00/ 4.50
B- 80-82 2.67/ 3.67/ 4.17
C+ 77-79 2.33/ 3.33/ 3.83
C 73-76 2.00/ 3.00/ 3.50
C- 70-72 1.67/ 2.67/ 3.17
D+ 67-69 1.33/ 2.33/ 2.83
D 63-66 1.00/ 2.00/ 2.50
D- 60-62 0.67/ 1.67/ 2.17
F < 60 0.00/ 0.00/ 0.00
Graduation Requirements
History 5.0 credits (including Constitution and Economics: 0.5 credit each)
English 4.0 credits
Math 4.0 credits
Science 3.0 credits
Foreign Language 3.0 credits (including one year of Latin)
Rhetoric 1.0 credits
Moral Philosophy 0.5 credits
Constitution 0.5 credits
Economics 0.5 credits
Survival 0.5 credits
Senior Thesis 1.0 credits
Electives 4.0 credits
Total Credits 25 credits
Community Service 100 hours
2024-25 Curriculum (9-12)
Math: Algebra 1, Geometry, H Geometry, Algebra II, H Algebra II, H Pre-Calculus, H Calculus, Math for College Readiness
Science: Intro to Physics, H Anatomy and Physiology, AP Psychology
English Language: Ancient Literature, H Ancient Literature, British Literature, H British Literature, American Literature, H American Literature, World Literature, H World Literature
History: Western Civilization, H Western Civilization, Western Civilization 11, H Western Civilization 11, American History, H American History, History 9, H History 9, History 10, H History 10, History 11, H History 11, History 12, Economics, H Economics, H Constitution
Foreign Language: Spanish I, Spanish II, H Spanish III, H Spanish IV, Latin I, Latin II, H Latin III, H Latin IV
Electives: Rhetoric, H Moral Philosophy, Executive Internship (11-12), Advanced Art, Music (Women’s Choir I & Drumline), Theater, Set Design, Wilderness and Survival, Jiu-Jitsu, Culinary Arts, Archery, Patriettes, Patriot Girls Cheer, TeaCA, String Ensemble II & III
Athletic Program
The Classical Academy competes in the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) and is classified in Division 2A (District 11). TCA competes in the SSAC (Sunshine State Athletic Conference) for varsity football only.
Men
- Varsity Football (8-man)*
- Varsity Cross-Country
- Varsity Basketball
- Varsity Track and Field
- Varsity Soccer
- Varsity Golf
* 2022 will be the first year for Varsity Football.
+2024 will be the first year for female-only varsity
Women
- Varsity Cross-Country
- Varsity Volleyball
- Varsity Beach Volleyball
- Varsity Track and Field
- Varsity Soccer+
- Varsity Basketball+
Co-Ed Athletic Programs:
- Varsity Soccer
- Varsity Golf
Honor Societies/Club/s Activities: National Honor Society, TCA House System, Academic Decathlon Team, Student Council/Government, Mock Trial, Latin Club, Spanish Club, Theater, Latin Forum, Theater/Drama
College Admission
Note: TCA’s enrollment has organically expanded from a significant K-8 population to an emerging upper school presence (see Enrollment Data). However, there have only been 59 upper school graduates since the 2014 school year, thus college acceptance and standardized testing averages are developing as the upper school population increases.
The Classical Academy holds membership in the following professional organizations:
- SACAC (Southern Association for College Admission Counseling)
- College Board
- ACT
- Society for Classical Learning
Students from The Classical Academy have been admitted to the following colleges and universities (2004-2024)
- Belmont Abbey College
- Belmont University
- Catholic University of America
- Charleston Southern
- University of Dallas
- Colorado Christian University
- Duquesne University
- Flagler College
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Florida PolyTechnic University
- Florida Southern College
- Florida State University
- Furman University
- Galen College of Nursing
- Gannon University
- Georgia Southern University
- Grand Canyon University
- Grove City College Hillsdale College
- Liberty University
- Lynn University
- Palm Beach Atlantic University
- Quinnipiac University
- Radford University
- Rollins College
- Samford University
- Southeastern University
- St. Johns College
- Stetson University
- Suncoast Technical College
- University of Alabama
- University of Central Florida
- University of Columbia
- University of Florida
- University of Hawaii
- University of Jacksonville
- University of Miami
- University of North Florida
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of South Florida
- University of Tampa
- US Navy