Classical Honors Program at St. Paul's

<p>I was wondering if any of you guys who are attending St. Paul's are in the Classical Honors Program? How many people are in it? Is it hard to get into?</p>

<p>I’d be really interested in hearing anyone’s thoughts on this as well. My son is applying to SPS this year as a 9th grader, and he is taking the test for the Classical Honors program this week. If he is lucky enouh to be accepted, I have to admit that I am a bit hesitant for him to commit to such an intensive course load at the outset. That said, the program seems tailor-made for him. He really enjoys Latin (this is his second year,) and he is passionate about Ancient Roman history. So we shall see…</p>

<p>Yeah I’m really curious about the program. The information on the brochure and online is very limited though. Do you know when we find out if we’ve been accepted?</p>

<p>Not sure, but I assume after March 10, when the school announces its admissions decisions. Good luck!</p>

<p>what program is that?</p>

<p>It’s for students who want to take both Latin and Greek at a rigorous level.</p>

<p>I recently received an e-mail from John Rocklin, the Director of the Classical Honors Program, inviting me to join it. It seems like if you have studied Latin or Greek before, they will want you to take a placement test. The test will be conducted by your current Latin or Greek teacher. Of course, that is not possible if you have not taken Latin or Greek before. Mr. Rocklin also mentioned that if your current school does not offer either of the two languages you will have an opportunity to join after taking classes at St. Paul’s, provided that you get accepted.</p>

<p>^ are u an applicant or a student at SPS?</p>

<p>There is also a “classics diploma” at Exeter for students who complete 400 level (college) Latin and an intensive year of Ancient Greek. About 20 a year graduate with the distinction. Many more take Latin or Greek or the Classics courses.</p>

<p>Yes-- and they wear a laurel wreath at commencement–which my S flipped out seeing! Deerfield said that they were starting a program too, although its contours weren’t well defined.</p>

<p>Be sure to ask questions. My son is very interested in Classics. His day school offers Latin through AP Latin and Latin V, but not Ancient Greek. I called several Boarding Schools that offer Ancient Greek and was told it is only offered if there is enough interest. We decided not to apply. JHU-CTY offers Beginning Ancient Greek over the summer through CTY:Intensive Studies.</p>

<p>@etondad, an applicant</p>

<p>Is there info on the website about this?</p>

<p>Ms S took the St Paul’s exam. It was administered by his present Latin teacher. It consisted of four (I believe) passages to translate which my S said went from ridiculously easy to very hard as well as one passage to translate into Latin. He said it was challenging but fun. He had the sense that the Latin to English passages were testing more than the ability to translate word for word but rather how well can one translate with some fluency the ideas of the passages. There were no “grammar” or “vocabulary” portions-- just the passages.</p>

<p>I gather acceptance into the program is made known along with an offer of admission on March 9th (one being a subset of the other…). KatrissRed is correct that one can be invited to join once one is a student at SPS though one’s performance in Latin class.</p>