Discover why the McKnight family—Ridgeview Classical parents and Fort Collins small business owners—chose Ridgeview for their children’s education. In this engaging interview, we explore their positive experiences at Ridgeview and highlight their local landscaping company, Turf Tamers, serving the Fort Collins, Colorado community.…

At Ridgeview, Valborg is a family gathering to herald spring, to steel us for the final stretch of the academic year, to form new connections between young and old, to strengthen our community, and achieve a bit of catharsis by an invigorating run through the hills at the entrance to the Big Thompson Canyon. If all goes well, it will be smokey, mud…

On Saturday evening, Ridgeview held its eighth annual Numis Night. This was the best attended donor event in Ridgeview’s history. The venue, the Windsong Estate Event Center, was beautiful. Looking westward, as we bid on items, we watched the sun set over the Front Range before sitting down to eat.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

Mr. Gallacher was the best of the old school. He was a gentleman. This is a powerful and sincere compliment, particularly if our definition of gentleman is not so denuded as to refer to any man, and not so restrictive as to only have an historical connotation. It is, moreover, a concept that most men believe they ought to aspire to or be regarded a…

In this episode, we join Mrs. Jhones in her classroom, where she shares insights into Uganda's history and explains how her time at Ridgeview has helped her work in Uganda. Since Ridgeview Classical Schools opened its doors, Mrs. Jhones has dedicated herself to teaching first graders and frequently travels to Uganda for mission work.…

We are scouring the student body for students who believe in Ridgeview and are proud of their school. Proud of their school—not just proud of themselves. We want students who have done academically well, but we acknowledge that not every great student will have a 4.0.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

This Monday is Veterans Day – the 105th since President Wilson brought it into being as Armistice Day in 1919. It is interesting to note in acknowledging this day that there are no calls for students to be released from schools on this day as there are for other holidays. A part of this might be attributable to the growing rift between those who ha…

The first Father's Group meeting exceeded all expectations in terms of attendance and interest. We have the beginnings of something that could be truly transformative, for individual fathers, their families, ours sons and daughters, and our school. In an effort to make these periodic Perspectives more easily available to a wider audience, we will b…

In this installment, we begin a new series featured on Hoplite Radio where we invite you to step inside the classroom with us. Each episode of this series will feature the educational expertise of the faculty here at Ridgeview Classical Schools. On today's episode we join Mr. Hayhurst, a member of our science faculty, as he teaches a lesson about t…

Join Mr. Anderson, Mr. Carpine, and Mrs. Menon for a discussion of Ridgeview's early days, its development, and the ways in which Ridgeview is dependent upon a deep sense of community and volunteerism.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In today's conversation, we dive into the world of art with our very own, Mr. Trapp. We explore whether art plays a vital role in a well-rounded liberal arts education. By engaging with art, students are encouraged to think critically, express themselves creatively, and develop an appreciation for human experiences. Mr. Anderson asks, "what is the …

On this episode, we are talking about the Physical Education initiative at Ridgeview Classical Schools. Mr. Anderson sits down with Mr. Schohl and Mrs. Van Dixhorn exploring the rationale, inspiration, and the goals for the future of this program. How does the incorporation of a physical education program align with the classical curriculum? Books …

On this episode of Hoplite Radio, Mr. Anderson had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Carvalho, Mrs. Gaub, Mrs. Stephens and Mr. Bodak about "Teaching The Whole Student". These four educators have a unique perspective, as they are all graduates of Ridgeview Classical Schools. At Ridgeview, academic excellence is just part of the equation - we belie…

In 2015, the concept of First Responder's Day at Ridgeview Classical Schools was introduced by our Headmaster, Mr. Anderson. The idea was to encourage awareness of the work that was being done around the clock to make doing ordinary things feel ordinary, and to show students the value in a career in public service. Mr. Anderson speaks with Sheriff …

In this podcast, we delve into the topic of a classical education and what it truly means. Mr. Anderson is joined by Dr. McMahon and Mr. Ayers to discuss whether a classical education is more than a marketing gimmick. We talk about the recent explosion of charter schools that are claiming to teach a classical education, whether or not a classical e…

Have you ever wondered what teacher training at Ridgeview entails? Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Hayhurst dive into the history of our teacher training and how it has evolved over the years. All books referenced in this episode are available for purchase in the Ridgeview Bookshop: 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman The Quest for Ch…

By Ridgeview Classical Schools

By Ridgeview Classical Schools

By Ridgeview Classical Schools

By Ridgeview Classical Schools

By Ridgeview Classical Schools

Literature faculty and theatre director Mr. Binder joins us on Hoplite Radio to discuss the benefits of a performing arts program.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

Mr. Anderson sits down with third grade teacher and Ridgeview Athletic Director Miss Grace to discuss the importance of Athletics.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

Mr. Anderson sits down with our Outdoor Program Coordinator Mrs. Carvalho to discuss the history of our program and its importance, as well as the hopeful plans for its future.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

Hoplite Radio is back! Ridgeview's Headmaster Mr. Anderson opens up a dialogue with three of our veteran faculty (Mr. Ayers, Mrs. Halseide and Mrs. Mahindroo) about why someone would want to teach at Ridgeview and their own personal experiences in the school's unique environment.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In Episode 21, we are joined by Dr. McMahon and Mrs. Halseide to discuss how literature is taught at Ridgeview.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In our twentieth episode, we are joined by Ridgeview's Marie Hornback to discuss the importance of Etiquette and Penmanship in our school.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In Episode 19 of Hoplite Radio, we are joined by Dr. Cassella, Ridgeview’s Classics Department Head, to talk about the instruction of Latin.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In Episode 18, Mr. Anderson sits down with Dr. McMahon, Miss Kujawa, and Mr. Amschler for a discussion about what constitutes a classical education and the dangers in using the term classical as a marketing ploy.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In this episode of Hoplite Radio, we sit down with Austin Bail to discuss his time at Ridgeview, his decision to join the Marine Corps, and the mindset of those who thrive while doing some very hard things.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In this, the sixteenth episode of Hoplite Radio, we are joined by Jill Hitchman to discuss how Ridgeview teaches students to read. Mrs. Hitchman is a Ridgeview veteran and is extremely knowledgeable about Riggs—the explicit phonics program that Ridgeview uses in its elementary school. Please join us as we discuss this critical issue in education wi…

In this episode of Hoplite Radio, we visit with John Amschler about the importance of outdoor education, the demise of natural history in primary and secondary education, and the aspects of an education that cannot be taught in a classroom.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In this episode, we moved our recording equipment into Room 306 and recorded a discussion of parents discussing an excerpt of R.G. Collingwood’s The Idea of History. Our purpose in doing this was to give listeners a sense of what these discussions are like in the hope that they might find the material and exchanges enticing enough to join us in the…

In this episode of Hoplite Radio, Mr. Anderson is joined by Mrs. Jennie Roebuck, a fourth-grade teacher at Ridgeview, and an alumna of the school. She shares her thoughts about how she came to Ridgeview as a student, where she went after graduation, how her experiences at Ridgeview have shaped her impressions of education, and where she is off to n…

Mr. Anderson is joined by Mrs. Kristina Menon to discuss how the role of principal has evolved over time at Ridgeview, and the ways in which this position has distinguished itself from the executive positions at other schools.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In an interview with Spencer Nauman, we explore the notion of economic literacy and the manner in which one acquires some measure of economic education.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

This week, we welcome Mrs. Alexandra Hobaugh, a parent fairly recently arrived at Ridgeview, to talk about the parent discussion groups and the value these have for our community.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In this episode, Mr. Anderson converses with Kelly Trosper, longtime Ridgeview parent and board member about his Ridgeview story: what brought him to Ridgeview, what has driven his involvement with the school as a volunteer, and what has kept him here as an enthusiastic parent and supporter.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In this episode of Hoplite Radio, Mr. Anderson sits down and talks with another Ridgeview graduate, Jonathan Karr to discuss the impact of Ridgeview for our alumni years after graduation. As Jonathan prepares to begin his graduate studies at UC Berkley, he reflects on what he gained from Ridgeview and what it has come to mean to him as he has under…

In this episode, we consider the impressions of what Ridgeview came to mean to Anders Jorgensen, a recent Ridgeview graduate who had attended Ridgeview since kindergarten. We frequently tell parents that we want for them to think of their enrollment at Ridgeview in terms of a thirteen-year commitment - to treat it as an experience, and not simply a…

In this episode, we interview Zak Smith, co-owner of Thunder Beast Arms and owner of Competition Dynamics. Mr. Smith is a parent of two Ridgeview students who has provided tremendous support for our outdoor programs and adventures with students. We explore what these adventures contribute to a classical education, and in particular, the importance …

The music program at Ridgeview has often dominated the lives of our students and parents. From the concerts to the musicals and madrigal performances, music has been an important part of the Ridgeview experience. Mr. Anderson and Ridgeview’s new music director, Mr. Ben Geier, converse about the place of music in a classical education in this episod…

How is science taught at a classical school? Can a classical education produce students who will be competitive in the natural sciences? These are some of the questions we explore in this podcast with Mr. Hayhurst, Ridgeview’s Science Department Head.By Ridgeview Classical Schools

In this episode, we talk with Domenic Carpine, Ridgeview’s Assistant Principal, and an employee of the school from its inception. We discuss the school’s culture, its disciplinary practices, and much else. Mr. Carpine also talks through how he first heard about Ridgeview as a parent, which will be of interest to those considering joining us at Ridg…

In Episode 2, Mr. Anderson, Principal of Ridgeview Classical Schools, and Mr. Herndon, a veteran history teacher at the school, examine what distinguishes the teaching of history at Ridgeview. They discuss the contingency of human experience, the intentionality of using primary sources, the role of will and circumstance in historical events, Americ…

Episode I Episode Title: Introduction to Ridgeview In this episode, Mr. Anderson explores Ridgeview’s history, introduces listeners to what it is that makes a charter school different, and talks with Mr. Herndon, a veteran Ridgeview history teacher, about the sorts of things that make up the Ridgeview experience.…