Tuition- Free Public Charter School Cheyenne Classical Academy Celebrates Groundbreaking Ceremony

Tuition-free public charter school Cheyenne Classical Academy (CCA) is eager and excited to announce its groundbreaking ceremony, which will take place on January 8th, 2024, at 11:00 am. After years in the making, the academy, which will feature an "American Classical Education" provided by Hillsdale College, is finally underway.

Originally due to open its doors in September of 2023, CCA was unable to secure an adequate school facility and made the difficult decision to postpone opening the school until August of 2024. Nathan Winters, CCA's Board President, said, "This temporary setback is disappointing to both CCA Board members, administration, parents, grandparents, and a host of community members." Following the announcement, parents expressed their disappointment on Facebook but vowed to reapply, understanding that this delay would not be forever. Board President Winters closed his statement with encouragement by saying, "We look forward to a future 'school choice' partnership with you and your student by providing an exceptional, 'American Classical Education.'"

Cheyenne Classical Academy is one of Wyoming's three state-approved charter schools, which was taken over by the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board earlier this year. Additionally, CCA is affiliated with Hillsdale College, a small, Christian, classical liberal arts college in southern Michigan that operates independently of government funding. The K-12 curriculum provided by Hillsdale promotes an American Classical Education. The Hillsdale website states, "At Hillsdale College, we believe every child can benefit from an American classical education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, offering a firm grounding in civic virtue, and cultivating moral character."

Headmaster BJ Buchmann firmly believes that a classical education is for everyone. He says, "At Cheyenne Classical Academy, we seek to uphold this idea by giving as many students as possible the opportunity for a classical, or human education that seeks to liberate students from the bondage of ignorance and vice as well as freeing students from the chains of their own limited experience." He emphasizes the importance of the basic building blocks necessary for each subject and teaching students to think for themselves. Headmaster Buchmann adds, "...students can start asking questions and forming opinions responsibly as we don't just fill students' minds with knowledge. We teach them to make educated connections and decisions."

In addition to featuring an American Classical Education, CCA is a tuition-free public charter school. Parental choice and education have become a more poignant discussion nationwide over recent years. Much of that discussion focuses on charter schools and how they impact the community. Headmaster Buchmann understands there may be some confusion and is pleased to answer any such questions a community member may have. "Unlike neighboring schools, charter schools are given the flexibility to articulate a distinct mission, design a curriculum around that mission, and hire faculty who can best deliver it...Cheyenne Classical Academy is one such option." In short- all students are welcome to apply to a charter school and delight in an exceptional education with trained educators while attending a tuition-free public institution. Buchmann says, "Some families will find this appealing, and others will not. The beauty of the charter school movement is that even while taking a stand in favor of the classical model, we can still recognize that reasonable people will disagree."

As CCA embarks upon its first chapter, the board, administration, students, and staff would like to invite the community and media to this monumental event on January 8th, 2024, at 11:00 am MST at 5200 Ridge Road in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Light refreshments will be served with board members and Headmaster Buchmann in attendance to answer questions and positively promote Cheyenne Classical Academy. CCA will also be enrolling students in grades K-4 for the upcoming school year. Visit cheyenneclassical.org for more information!

Category: Community | Education