What is Classical Education?

Classical education focuses on nurturing the whole child.

Classical schools stand out due to their commitment to virtuous education, a rich curriculum, and a traditional classroom setting.

At Ivywood, this approach immerses students in a community of virtue, promoting lifelong learning through intentional and consistent teaching of moral character. Ivywood integrates high academic standards, personal discipline, and responsibility into its classical curriculum. Students engage deeply with content—history, literature, science, and math—while participating actively in discussions guided by the teacher's expertise. This approach fosters a unified learning community, regardless of students' backgrounds.

The Timeless Value of Classical Education at Ivywood

At Ivywood, we embrace the classical education model—a time-tested approach that nurtures the whole child by fostering intellectual curiosity, moral character, and a love of lifelong learning. Classical schools stand apart in the realm of school choice for the following key reasons:

A Virtuous Education

Character formation is at the heart of a classical education. At Ivywood, we believe that moral character is not simply a disciplinary tool but a way of life. Students are intentionally and consistently taught virtues such as wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. Through this foundation, they develop not only strong academic skills but also the personal discipline and responsibility necessary for a meaningful life.

A Content-Rich Curriculum

Classical education immerses students in a rigorous, knowledge-based curriculum rooted in the great ideas and works of Western civilization. Rather than relying on fragmented or surface-level learning, students engage deeply with historical events, literature, fables, myths, scientific discoveries, and mathematical reasoning. By reading whole literary works and exploring ideas with depth and clarity, they develop critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and a well-formed perspective on the world.

A Traditional Classroom Environment

At Ivywood, the classroom is a place of active engagement, led by teachers who serve as subject-matter experts and mentors. Students do not passively absorb information but are encouraged to question, analyze, and discuss using the Socratic method—a dynamic, dialogue-driven approach to learning. This structure upholds the teacher’s authority and expertise while fostering an environment of mutual respect, disciplined learning, and intellectual growth.

A Community of Learners

Regardless of students’ backgrounds or experiences, they become part of a shared educational journey at Ivywood. Classical education is not just about academics; it is about forming thoughtful, virtuous citizens who appreciate truth, goodness, and beauty. More than test scores, this approach cultivates individuals who are prepared for lifelong learning and meaningful contributions to their communities.

Authorizer and ESP Information

About Ivywood Classical Academy

Ivywood Classical Academy is a tuition-free public school academy that will educate students using the virtues-based, content-rich, classical education tradition.

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Find Us

Address

399 N. 20th Street Springfield, MI 49037

Phone Number

(269) 339-3308

Fax Number

(269) 339-3309

Hours

Monday—Thursday: 8:10AM–3:10PM
Early Release Days (Fridays): 8:10AM–1:10PM
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Address

399 N. 20th Street Springfield, MI 49037

Phone Number

(248) 207-1757

Hours

Monday—Thursday: 8:10AM–3:10PM

Early Release Days (Fridays): 8:10AM–1:10PM

Fax Number

(269) 339-3309

Visit our calendar to see all of our upcoming events, including the first day of school!

Calendar

Parents may start dropping students off at 7:50 am. Doors open at 8:00 am, and there are three drop off options:

Option 1: Drop off at 7:50, a staff member will supervise students outside of the building until the door open.

Option 2: Park and walk to the entrance from 8:00 - 8:10. Parents may escort their children to the front or side doors.

Option 3: Utilize the car loop from 7:50 - 8:09

Ivywood utilizes a staggered dismissal. All parents must park and enter through the main entrance. All designated pick-up people must present their ICA identification barcode which will be scanned by an ICA employee prior to gaining entrance to the building. Students are dismissed directly from classrooms.

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