The Curriculum  The curriculum used at St. Gregory's Academy is unique. We offer a liberal arts education following the perennial wisdom of Western civilization. Following is an overview of some of the classes offered at St. Gregory’s Academy.
Religion: Religion class includes the reading of Holy Scripture, instruction in salvation history, morality, the sacred liturgy, catechism, the study of encyclicals, and apologetics.  Latin: Latin class provides excellent mental training, facilitates a deeper understanding of the English language and of grammar as a science. As the official language of the Catholic Church, Latin plays an important role in learning more about Catholicism and the Mass. Literature: Literature classes include a study of the Elements of the Story, the mode of Romance, and an in-depth study of the Myth and the Hero. The classics of Romance from Pyle, Stevenson, Twain and many others are read and discussed, as well as several mythologies of the world, namely, Greek, Norse and British are read, discussed and compared. Heroic poetry is also memorized, recited and discussed. Humanities: As students embark on the Integrated Humanities Program, the good books give way to some of the great, classical works of Western civilization. These classes, taken in the 11th and 12th grades, emphasize classical authors and include works both literary and historical. Some of the works studied in this class include; Homer’s Odyssey, Aeschylus’ Oresteia, Plato’s Apology, Virgil’s Aeneid, The Song of Roland, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth and The Tempest. Logic: This class includes a study of the principles of reasoning, as well as an introduction to philosophy that includes Plato, Aristotle, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Rhetoric: Rhetoric class includes studies in writing, speaking and recitation, as well as learning the art of expression with the aim to lead another to the Good. The class includes opportunities to practice this art through writing, speaking, and recitation. Natural History: Natural History includes botany and zoology. We stress the direct experience of nature by making use of the possibilities afforded by our rural setting, large grounds, and opportunities for extended field trips. This serves to develop observational skills in addition to increasing knowledge and fostering a healthy respect and love for the created order. Earth Science: A detailed study of geography, geology, meteorology and astronomy. Biology/Natural History II: This class is a first-hand inquiry into the story of life on the level of the individual organism, approached on philosophical and poetic levels. It also includes scientific investigations that cover animal behavior, instinct and symbiosis, as well as the tactics, strategies and the goal of the science. Natural History class also teaches the student to practice seeing the image of the Creator as it subsists in creation, and finally trains the eye, through artistic renderings, to perceive, wonder and distinguish the goodness, beauty and truth about Nature. Mathematics:
Math begins Freshman year with Algebra I, continues Sophomore year into a study of Euclid's Elements, and concludes Junior year with Algebra II.
Physics:
Physics class is taken Senior year. This course traces the development of science from the Greeks and Ptolemy up through the development of Newtonian physics and attempts to establish a context in which to judge the discoveries of modern science.
Music:
Music class spans all four years and consists of traditional Irish, Scottish, and American folk songs sung and learned by a purely oral method.
| | The Faculty Howard Clark, Headmaster Mr. Clark graduated from Kansas University with degrees in Comparative Literature, English, and Secondary Education. He continued postgraduate studies at Kansas University , Wichita State , and Pittsburgh State while launching his teaching career at the School of the Magdalen and a variety of public schools throughout Kansas . Mr. Clark brought his family of five to Pennsylvania in 1994 and began teaching at St. Gregory’s Academy in its second year. He has taught many subjects at St. Gregory’s throughout the years and currently teaching Humanities while juggling the taxing responsibilities of Headmaster. His two sons have graduated from St. Gregory’s and both have continued on to higher education. Rev. Fr. Thomas Longua, F.S.S.P., Chaplain & Teacher Fr. Longua received his bachelor’s degree in History from Christendom College , and his Master’s degree in Church History from the Catholic University of America. He has taught at Seton High School in Manassas , St. Gregory’s Academy, and St. Michael’s Institute. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in 2003. Fr. Longua has returned to St. Gregory’s as Chaplain and Administrator; he also teaches Senior religion. Brian T. Austin, FSSP; Assistant to the Chaplain & Teacher Mr. Austin is a sixth-year seminarian with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. After attending Vanderbilt University for one year as a National Merit Scholar, he gave up his scholarship to read the Great Books at St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland. After teaching Euclid, Literature and Rhetoric for one year at St. Gregory's Academy, he entered Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in the autumn of 2002. Having completed five years of theological studies, Mr. Austin has returned to the Academy to teach freshman Religion, Sacred Music, direct junior and senior Scholae, oversee the altar boys and sacristans, and assist in senior Logic. James Hanisch, Teacher & Infirmarian Mr. Hanisch received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas , and his certification in English and Mathematics from the Northeastern State University in Oklahoma . He has been teaching at St. Gregory’s Academy since its first year and continues to teach Latin, Earth Science, and Algebra II. Mr. Hanisch is also the student’s Funds Manager, the College Preparation Supervisor, and the Infirmarian. He lives near the school with his wife and three daughters. Daniel Davidson, Teacher Mr. Davidson received his bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College and went on to teach at the Ojai Valley School before becoming an assistant tutor at his alma mater for two years. He then taught at the Highland School in Texas, worked with the Mary Foundation, and became Headmaster at Holy Family Academy in Pennsylvania, before he joined us at St. Gregory’s. Mr. Davidson teaches Latin, Physics, American History, and Natural History. He lives in the area with his family of five. Sean Fitzpatrick, Teacher Mr. Fitzpatrick received a degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College after graduating from St. Gregory’s Academy. He then returned to St. Gregory’s as a teacher and dorm father. Mr. Fitzpatrick currently teaches Mythology, Natural History, and Drama, which includes the orchestration of the annual school play. He is also our Special Events Coordinator and Public Relations Officer, and lives in the area with his wife and two daughters. Stephen Fitzpatrick, Teacher & Assistant Coach Mr. Fitzpatrick received a degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College after graduating from St. Gregory’s Academy. He returned to St. Gregory’s as a dorm father, teacher, and coach. He has coached ice hockey and is currently the assistant soccer coach. Mr. Fitzpatrick teaches Latin, Algebra, Geometry, and S.A.T. preparation. He is currently working towards obtaining his master's degree in Theology through the University of Scranton, and lives close by with his wife and daughter. Brendan Landell, Teacher & Assistant Coach Mr. Landell received a degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College after graduating from St. Gregory’s Academy. He then returned to St. Gregory’s as a teacher and assistant rugby coach. Over the years, Mr. Landell has taught Geometry, Sacred Music, and Logic, and currently teaches senior Rhetoric, Latin and Folk Music. This past summer Mr. Landell joined Mr. Burger in Aestiva Romae Latinitatis, a two-month intensive Latin course with Fr. Reginald Foster, one of the Latinists for the Vatican. Garret van Beek, Teacher, Coach & Dean of Discipline Mr. van Beek graduated with an Honors degree from Ottawa University in Sociology after graduating from St. Gregory's Academy. This year he teaches freshman Natural History, is the rugby and soccer coach, is our Athletics Director, and the Dean of Discipline. Mr. van Beek was married last summer and lives in the area with his wife. Luke Culley, Teacher Mr. Culley received a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College , and a master’s degree in Literature from the University of Dallas . He is currently working on his dissertation, the final step before receiving his PhD from the University of Dallas in Medieval Literature. Mr. Culley taught at St. Gregory’s Academy between degrees from 1994 – 1999, covering American History, Latin, Literature, Music, and assistant coaching soccer and rugby as well as directing the juggling troupe. This year Mr. Culley is devoting the majority of his time to finishing his dissertation. However, that does not stop him from leading the juggling troupe, which plans to make the Santiago pilgrimage across Spain this summer. Matthew Schultz, Head Dorm Father and Teacher Mr. Schultz received a bachelor’s degree with distinction in Political Philosophy, as well as his master’s degree in Humanities, from the University of Dallas . He has also studied Old French at the Universite d’ Avignon. Mr. Schultz was a dorm father and teacher of Natural History at St. Gregory’s before working as a counselor at the Mt. Carmel Youth Ranch for Troubled Boys. This year he has returned to St. Gregory’s in the capacity of head dorm father as well as Rhetoric teacher for the junior class. John Burger, Dorm Father, Teacher & Assistant Coach Mr. Burger graduated from St. Gregory's Academy and went on to complete his education with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Christendom College. He has returned to his alma mater as a dorm father, Latin teacher, and assistant rugby coach. This past summer Mr. Burger joined Mr. Landell in Aestiva Romae Latinitatis, a two-month intensive Latin course with Fr. Reginald Foster, one of the Latinists for the Vatican. Andrew Beebe, Dorm Father and Assistant Teacher Mr. Beebe is also one of St. Gregory's graduates. He recently completed his bachelor's degree in Philosophy at Christendom College and has returned to live at the school as a dorm father as well as assist Mr. Sean Fitzpatrick with freshman Literature. John Archer, Dorm Father, Teacher & Assistant Coach Mr. Archer graduated from Christendom College this spring with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy. He has joined the faculty of St. Gregory's Academy as a dorm father, assistant soccer coach, and Logic teacher. Andrew Smith, Resident Artist Mr. Smith graduated from St. Gregory's Academy after which he continued on to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Art for two years. He then went on to study at the Florence Academy of Art for one year. The sculpture of Homer, featured on this page, which stands on the hill behind St. Gregory's, is the work of Mr. Smith. This year, he has moved his studio to St. Gregory's. By working at the school, as well as by working with interested students on the basics of sculpting, Mr. Smith is introducing our students to art and sculpting in a unique way. His complete resume and portfolio may be viewed at: http://andrewwilsonsmith.com. Fr. Joseph Orlowski, F.S.S.P. , Teacher Fr. Orlowski graduated from Thomas Aquinas College with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts in 1993. He continued on to study at the University of British Columbia for one year, after which he worked as a software engineer for four years. Fr. Orlowski then joined the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and was ordained in 2004. Since his ordination he has worked in Tulsa and Kansas City before coming to work at the Fraternity's headquarters in Moscow. This year Fr. Orlowski is teaching sophomore Religion and is also tutoring students in pre-Calculus. Fr. Christopher Manuele , Teacher Fr. Manuele received his bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College. He then continued on to study at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary where he received his master's degree of Divinity. Fr. Manuele was ordained to the priesthood in 2006 in the Melkite Greek Catholic Rite. He is currently the administrator for St. Joseph's Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Scranton, PA and this year Fr. Christopher teaches Religion to the junior class. |
