A Vision for Graduates: A Living Portrait
By Eric Stennett, Ed. D, Head of School, Penn Woods Classical Academy
As we propel towards the inauguration of Penn Woods Classical Academy (PWCA) in the Fall of 2024, a Hillsdale Member School dedicated to Christian and classical education, our focus gravitates towards the holistic development of our students. At PWCA, our vision for our graduating students is profound: to furnish them with a rigorous Liberal Arts and Sciences education, all in honor of God's glory. Envisioning our graduates as the living embodiment of the PWCA experience, we strive to instill in them the virtues encapsulated in the PWCA Portrait of a Graduate.
Our aim is to mold confident, principled, and compassionate leaders within their communities. We endeavor to shape individuals who exemplify the pursuit of intellectual growth, moral fortitude, and spiritual nurturing. These graduates will embody a perpetual hunger for truth, a deep appreciation for goodness, and a profound admiration for beauty. Their confidence will be balanced by humility, shaping them into servant-leaders who champion their families, churches, and broader communities. They'll stand as guardians of civic liberty and justice, driven by a commitment to embody the love of Christ and utilize their God-given talents for His glory and the expansion of His Kingdom.
Our Commitment
The graduates of Penn Woods Classical Academy will bear the mark of a comprehensive Liberal Arts education, rooted in the finest intellectual, moral, and spiritual contributions of Western Civilization. They will stand as self-governing, articulate, and respectful individuals, well-versed in the essential virtues essential for human freedom and flourishing. Equipped with an intellectual, moral, and civic foundation, they will emerge as spirited leaders, poised to contribute joyfully to our community's progress. PWCA will manifest the following:
FAITH
Appreciate and understand their Judeo-Christian heritage
Posses a deep understanding of their faith
Be able to articulate and discuss their faith
Love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength
Love their neighbor as themselves
Live an active life of faith in the context of family, church, and local community
FREEDOM
Recognize that freedom requires discipline and use their freedom responsibly
Be well-informed and engaged citizen equipped for self-governance
Be able and willing to engage in constructive and respectful civil discourse
Understand the relationship between rights and duties
Understand the difference between liberty, freedom, and license
Understand the difference between authority and power
CHARACTER
Embody the seven PWCA virtues:
Faithfulness, Charity, Gratitude, Prudence, Justice, Courage, Fortitude, Moderation, Wisdom, Humility, Responsibility, Friendship
Exhibit the fruit of the spirit
Pursue the True, the Good, and the Beautiful
Develop and cherish deep friendships
Lead and serve those around them in word and deed
LEARNING
Be lifelong lovers of learning
Approach the world with a sense of wonder and curiosity
Demonstrate intellectual humility and teachability
Be equipped to discern truth from error
Have a storehouse of memorized Scripture, poetry, speeches, and dramas
Have mature reading, thinking, writing, and speaking skills
