Whitefield Academy Blog
The Sounds of a Morning at Whitefield
Normal morning at Whitefield Academy: students engaged and teachers guiding the them in what is good, true, and beautiful.
Volunteering and Activities on College Applications
Volunteering and extracurricular activities are great ways to not only improve a college application resume and help the community, but they will will tell you a lot about who you are and what you might want to pursue.
College Planning Checklist: Sophomore to Senior
It’s almost here! The start of the school year! And while our little kids are picking out lunchboxes and backpacks, our older students are beginning to embark on a time like no other: the college search.
What is a Classical Christian Education?
The following was presented by Jim Selby at the annual meeting of the Whitefield Academy Association on May 19, 2015.
I would like to accomplish three tasks this evening, the first is to explain what classical Christian education is, the second is to suggest why our world needs classical Christian education, and the third is to propose why parents should choose classical Christian education for their family.
Failure: When God Closes Olympic-Sized Doors
A note from John and Rachel Hutson, Whitefield’s crew coaches: Emily is a friend and fellow Wheaton College crew alumna. Since graduation, Emily has been competing at the highest levels of the sport with a dream to row at the Olympic games. Among many other accomplishments, Emily was in the boat at the 2019 World Rowing Championships that qualified the United States for the 2020 Olympics in the quadruple sculls and was one of ten women invited to the U.S. selection camp for that event for the upcoming Olympics. Emily’s advice and support have been essential to our effort to bring crew to Whitefield. We so appreciate this message from her.
Failure. That is the word that more often than not I consider when I reflect on my rowing career. Friends and family all try to (rightly) console me and point out all of the things I did accomplish but it does not change the reality that I did not in fact achieve my Olympic goal. I failed.
Summer Reading List from Whitefield Academy
There’s nothing better on a hot day than sitting inside with a good book! Whether you’re pulling one off the shelf for the tenth time or headed to the library for something new, summer is the perfect time to read. If you’re having trouble finding a good title or need some new books for your kids, Whitefield Academy’s Reading List is an amazing resource.
Building Friendships Across Ages and Grades
As a family, we are getting ready to embark on our seventh year at Whitefield Academy. Over the years I have had a chance to see classical Christian education up close, and by now it is safe to say that we are convinced enthusiasts. There are many aspects of the way Whitefield does Christian classical education that I appreciate, but one facet that has completely taken me by surprise is the positive cross-grade relationships at Whitefield.
iPads and Their Use in Elementary Classrooms
Every year, Whitefield Academy seniors spend the year researching a subject of interest to them and write a 20 page research paper on the subject. They then present their research to the greater Whitefield community and answer questions from the audience. The following post is senior Kyla Lindsey’s thesis presentation on iPad use in elementary classrooms. Kyla plans to attend College of the Ozarks and major in Elementary Education. If you would like to see the presentation in its entirety with the footnotes, please click here.
iPads should not be used in the elementary classroom. Most elementary schools in the Kansas City area today provide an iPad to each student to use for various activities, whether it be for flashcards, reading, math games, or a specific app. The consequence of using iPads is that they become a substitute for the method of learning that is best for children, which is sensory input. Taking away the form of learning that allows children to use a variety of their senses to understand and grasp the new concepts they are being taught would be detrimental at the elementary age. The increased amount of time children are spending on screens is not healthy and leading to several negative side effects. The use of iPads in elementary classrooms will not provide a better education to students, and for this reason should not be used.
Junior Year from the Eyes of a Transfer
During finals week, one of our Juniors who transferred into Whitefield this year, Emma Pesek, came into the office. “Is there anything you all need me to help with?” she asked, needing to kill some time between finals. I perked up. “Sure!” I answered. “Would you be willing to write down what you think of Whitefield as a junior transfer student?” She happily complied, taking a white piece of printer paper and a pen and plopped down in the foyer for a few minutes to jot down some bullet points. Here’s what she said:
Writing His Word on Their Hearts
We all remember commercial jingles from when we were little. We had a VHS of the real people Peter Pan when I was little and it started with a Raisinets commercial. I could sing the whole thing for you. I could also sing you all the songs from Peter Pan. Just come and test me.