Just as the fifth century B.C. Persian invasion united all Greece against Xerxes and his army of slaves, so too the Common Core- or ObamaCore- appears to be uniting good people throughout the land against the servile educational standards proposed by the Federal Government!
Sometimes it takes a Persian invasion to awaken a people. Granted the analogy between the spread of ObamaCore throughout the United States and the spread of Xerxes reign over Greece is not perfect in everyway (e.g. I don’t remember Greek governors actually inviting Xerxes to take away their liberty as the Governors of at least 45 states have) nonetheless, the fact that The Common Core has as its chief and sole aim the preparation of an effective American worker is startlingly similar to the aims of Xerxes in his proposal to enslave the Greek world.
Those of us at schools like The Lyceum have of course been sounding the alarm bells for some time now. For most of my life I have become accustomed to the idea that classical education will never be popular and will never be espoused by people in the mainstream. But maybe there is hope!
For example it is thrilling to see a well made video like the following which does a great job presenting the benefits of a classical education.
(Make certain that you see mention of The Lyceum at 17:08)
Of course this presentation of classical education misses the heart and soul of the whole enterprise since it does not show how all learning is ordered to Theology (the Queen of the Sciences); it does not give the final end and purpose of classical liberal education which is the knowledge of God. Nonetheless the speaker still manages to present a compelling case for classical education just in virtue of the moral enterprise that it is, and its ability to produce free men and women capable of living in a free society.
Classical Catholic Education 
First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, YOUR WIFE, STEPHANIE, AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY ON THE BIRTH OF YOUR SON!!!
You, sir, are an expert in Classical Catholic Education; thus, I seek your thoughts on this “profile of a Catholic graduate.”
A FAITH FILLED DISCIPLE OF CHRIST WHO IS:
Called by Baptism and nourished by the Eucharist;
Active in the sacramental life of the Church through weekly participation in the Eucharist and regular participation in Reconciliation;
Centered in Gospel values; Prayerful
*As we describe the faith commitment of the Catholic School graduate, we understand that students of other faiths express these values in alternate faith commitments.
A CHRISTIAN LEADER WHO IS :
A decision maker whose conscience is formed by the teachings of the Catholic Church;
A witness to the FAITH;
A person of integrity; Respectful;
Committed to justice;
Collaborative;
A community builder;
A steward of the environment;
Active in parish life.
A CENTERED WELL-ROUNDED PERSON WHO IS :
Self-confident; Self-disciplined;
Open to growth; Responsible;
An active and productive citizen.
A LOVING PERSON WHO IS :
Compassionate; Kind
Forgiving; Appreciative of diversity;
Welcoming; A peace-filled mediator;
Respectful of the talents and abilities of others.
A LIFE-LONG LEARNER WHO IS :
Articulate; Creative; Technologically literate;
Academically and spiritually competent;
A critical thinker; A problem-solver.
A HEALTHY PERSON WHO IS :
Respectful to life; Practicing good health habits;
Committed to reaching one’s full potential;
A good sport.
Thanking you in advance for your time, which I’m certain is limited.
God bless Baby Langley, Stephanie, and your entire family with holiness and health.
Well… given the fact that this description of the “Catholic graduate” appears on the diocesan website of our fair city in which diocese The Lyceum is currently thriving, I am thinking that the description is absolutely brilliant – nay… even inspired!
You never cease bringing joy to those thirsting for it in these disconcerting times. Thank you. Perhaps you would provide a description of a Lyceum graduate that would fulfill your vision as Founder?