Hoplite Radio

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 have served, especially in combat roles, and the ordinary citizens they have served to protect.

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 begin recording these as standalone pieces and publishing them as podcasts. With regards to this particular topic, the plan is to periodically record and publish podcasts with others in the Fathers Group on an ongoing basis to gather more perspectives and insights.

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 the NASA Europa Clipper Mission.

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. 

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 relationship between art and beauty?". They discuss the age-old question of what beauty truly is.

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 referenced in this podcast are available for purchase in Ridgeview's Bookshop:Built to Move by Kelly Starrett & Juliet StarrettSpark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. RateyThe Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter

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 believe in developing well-rounded individuals who are also kind, compassionate and well-prepared for life beyond the classroom.

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 Stewart, who has attended this event for many years, to learn about the perspective of this event from the side of a first responder. They also discuss careers in public service and what makes these careers worthwhile.

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 education is the same as a Christian education, the trivium and the quadrivium, as well as the role of classic languages and the Socratic Method. Books referenced in this podcast are available for purchase in Ridgeview's Bookshop:The Paideia Proposal by Mortimer AdlerThe Aims of Education by Alfred North WhiteheadThe Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy SayerThe Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise BauerParadise Lost by John Milton

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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