San Luis Obispo Classical Academy in San Luis Obispo

Posted: September 17, 2024

SLOCA has been a wonderful place for our family to find a unique balance between the strong family bonds forged through homeschooling and the support and joy of learning in community. We participate in the hybrid program where students attend classes on campus 2 days per week. The literature-based, classical curriculum and shared history cycle across grade levels provide for rich experiences on our home days. Small class sizes, a school-wide low-tech policy, an emphasis on character development, and a flexible, individualized approach to education are some of the unique characteristics that set SLOCA apart. The program requires a significant investment of time, energy, and presence from parents, but the rewards are well worth it. The price can seem prohibitive, but financial aid is available and generous.

Posted: September 17, 2024

Posted: January 14, 2024

This is our 2nd year at SLOCA, and have only experienced the middle school. We wanted a different approach for middle school so my son started in 6th grade. Over all, we have found SLOCA to be an excellent choice for middle school. Kids are still kids and there is no perfect school, but we have found SLOCA to be a supportive environment with very rich learning and extra curricular opportunities. My son is a fairly good student, but much more attuned to sports than to academics. SLOCA has helped him stay engaged in his studies while allowing him the space to play sports and express his interests other than school. Middle school is a tough season of life, and the teachers have been excellent supporters of his growth and wellbeing. Their communication is top notch and they seem to truly get my son. They always have more positive things to say than negative, and that wasnt always our experience in the public environment. I can only speak for the middle school, but I would choose it a hundred times over again, and plan to send my daughter for middle school as well.

Posted: January 14, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

While no school is perfect, SLOCA has been a good fit for our family. The culture in the classrooms promote learning, and the teachers are outstanding. I appreciate the purposeful study of logic and reasoning skills as part of the classical curriculum. The study of Latin also provides a good foundation for learning other languages and many other disciplines. My kids are known by their teachers and school community, especially at the high school level. SLOCA doesn't have as many special programs (like special ed) or extracurricular activities (like band or choir) as larger schools, but it does the things it does well.

Posted: January 7, 2024

We love SLOCA! Our kids are truly thriving and, after 10 years at SLOCA, we can not imagine them going to school anywhere else. We appreciate that the small class sizes allow our kids to be well-known by their teachers, and not just known, but genuinely cared for. The faculty and staff are committed to coming alongside parents to nurture kids who love learning and are growing in character. The curriculum is carefully curated, no assignment feels like "busy-work", and the classical approach means our kids are learning through texts and methods that have stood the test of time. Our kids are often studying the same topics at the same time due to the 4 year history and literature cycle; this has created a place for connection and fun family discussions. As a parent, I find my own love for learning being kindled as I learn new things alongside my kids. SLOCA truly is a community that benefits the whole family!

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 5, 2024

When local schools closed for COVID-19 SLOCA never skipped a beat. School closed on Friday with a soccer game and on Monday morning SLOCA was online with our students. This is just one example of how SLOCA's commitment to students and families continues to exceed our expectations. Our children have thrived in the hybrid program which provides a rich rhythm of instruction where students spend a day of in-class teaching followed by a home-based day where they can savor the curricula and delve deeper into their studies, only possible by ongoing parent-teacher collaboration. One of our favorite aspects of the program is the quadrennial literature/history cycle that provides a classical theme for each year's studies. A SLOCA education truly is a family affair providing all of the satisfaction and reward that comes with any worthwhile endeavour.

Posted: January 5, 2024

Posted: December 28, 2023

Our family has had a fantastic experience at SLO Classical Academy. The small class sizes, excellent teachers and curriculum, close-knit community, and overall amazing education are unmatched. We love the 4-year history cycle, with each year focused on a different period of history (Ancients, Middle Ages, etc.). The whole school, from 1st through HS, is studying the same period of history but at their age-appropriate level. If you have children at various levels, it allows for a deep connectedness at home and wonderful discussions. This is paralleled with literature - a 2nd grader might read the younger version of Prince and the Pauper, while middle school and up are reading the actual Mark Twain. The math program is similarly amazing, the curriculum is the best I've experienced, creating a strong number sense through the use the mental math and many other methods. As a parent, I have learned so much that I missed out on in my grammar school education. I highly recommend!

Posted: December 20, 2023

I just have to start out by saying that I read some of the reviews and was quite taken aback by the frequency of religious comments in the reviews. We are not a religious family, and have not felt this undertone that is described at all, other than some of the school-wide meetings take place at a church (since the MPR is not big enough). We have been at SLOCA for 5 years. The curriculum is rich, engaging, and relevant. One of the best things at the school is the small class size (16:1 ratio), which allows teachers to really get to know each student. It also allows the teacher to not get overwhelmed or burned out. I appreciate that the school philosophy is centered on educating kids for life, not just teaching to a test and worried about test scores. The school has a community feel, where parents are involved to whatever degree they desire. I especially appreciate that the teachers provide the weekly lesson plans for all subjects in great detail, so that I don't have to spend time planning what to teach on our home days.

Posted: April 22, 2022

The ideas SLOCA is based on are truly fantastic and much needed. The implementation, however, is lacking and it might not be a good school fit for a family that marches to the beat of their own drum.

Dont get me wrong, the education is great. Theres a lot of amazing staff. (Theyve also lost a lot of amazing staff in recent years). This isnt your average education and I will always appreciate the school for that alone. With so many schooling options though, that ended up not being enough.

Originally the school drew our family in because of the community feel and the emphasis on inspiring a love of learning. As the years passed though it became a numbers game. There was never enough funds. Fundraising quotas increased. Tuition increased. Sibling discounts disappeared. New programs were opened for infants and toddlers and then existing programs for older children were changed in what felt like an attempt to keep those new families on campus. Families that originally just needed childcare and didnt necessarily buy into the mission of the school. It felt like the school was losing its way.

In addition, while not a religious school, it is certainly nowhere near secular. School meetings were held in a church during our time at SLOCA and my son was chastised for saying Oh my God at recess. Families who attend church together seem to mesh better than those who do not.

The ideas are great and I just wish we could see them implemented in a school that was secular and diverse.

Posted: April 22, 2022

Posted: November 12, 2018

Mixed bag. I love the cirriculum, the small class sizes, and the traditional format. I love that we dont have to deal with state testing and common core BS. BUT - there is an underlying weird religious subtext at the school that one doesnt get if you just happen to go to the new family/visitor night, or by looking at their website. If you dont go to their bible camps, or their Wednesday Night Bible Teen Group, or belong to their church of choice, then things seem a bit odd & your kids are definitely the odd man out. The religious subtext keeps popping up, and while that may be ok if, say, we were at Mission College Prep (and you knew you were paying for a Catholic education), the fact that we think we are paying for a privatized SECULAR education, and they are trying to sneak a religious education into the mix, let alone a religious one not of our choosing, well, that doesnt sit well. Also, another peeve: they LOVE acronyms. This may be petty of me, but the use of acronyms is very very annoying. The teachers and staff casually toss them around and expect parents & kids to know them all. Its like we are in the military with all of the military jargon, and its ridiculous. Just say what you mean - who on earth has time to memorize all of the acronyms you make up for your staff? Keep it for the staff.

Posted: November 12, 2018

The curriculum is amazing & the work IS challenging - but they give the students two independent days to work at home or at school in a study hall type of environment. We ended up hiring private tutors for homeschool days, due to conflicts in parent/child teaching styles. This was easier for the curriculum to be explained to our child. Im not a teacher & it was brutal trying to be. It was easier on our daughter when I took that hat off, and stepped aside.

Posted: November 12, 2018

For the most part, the teachers seem great - enthusiastic & very committed to making sure the students succeed. However, there are undertones that the teachers are hired from within the same religious clique that is referenced to both here, and if you discreetly ask about. Which, if you dont attend Grace Church or the church down the street, then you and your child are kind of on the outs from the get-go.

Posted: November 12, 2018

There is rampant homophobia & misogyny in the kids; and they are quoting, verbatim, what their parents are saying (in the upper middle school). That horrified me. My daughter couldnt believe the nonsense she heard all around her. And she has had teachers telling her that she was dressing immodestly because she had a hole over her knee in her jeans. Ummm, the 1950s called and want their teachers back? WTH. Lots of talk on girls dress code (we are talking girls 14 and under who are still very much girls). No mention of boys - just girls and how their bodies and clothing choices may be bad. Not a great message.

Posted: November 12, 2018

The leadership, in our experience, has been great. We have had several instances that we have had to go to them, and they have been great.

Posted: November 12, 2018

Posted: August 23, 2017

The curriculum is very advanced, so it is not for students with severe learning disabilities. I know of one student who withdrew because the material was too overwhelming to keep up with.
However, our child was given extra attention to get up to speed in areas where he didn't quite have the necessary prerequisites. So they will go out of their way to accommodate students.
There appear to be a number of students on the spectrum or that are neurodiverse.

Posted: August 23, 2017

SLOCA is community based, so it's important to fit in with that community. If your family is less religious or moving from a large metro area, this may be a struggle.

Posted: August 23, 2017

The issue we had with the school was with the students themselves. The students at the high school made up a very small, cliquish group of kids. They grew up together and went to the same Bible camps, etc., together since they were very young. This made it very difficult for our child to be accepted socially. By Christmas break, our child was being excluded and one student who had become a friend was threatened with ostracism as well.

Posted: August 23, 2017

I found the management of the school professional to deal with, and they worked hard to resolve issues as they came up.

Posted: August 23, 2017

For the most part, the teachers are really good. Several are actually professors at nearby Cal Poly. There is a slight problem with turnover though. The chemistry teacher was a mishire, which they corrected quickly.

Posted: August 23, 2017

I had really high hopes for this school as we are big believers in the Classical approach to education. Also most of the teachers are fantastic. The reading list/curriculum is also great. Unfortunately, the students are from a tight-knit clique that appears to center around one or two local churches. There is a chance that your student may not fit in with that group.
It was a good year academically, but that's about it.

Posted: August 23, 2017

I really like the way there is class for three days and then two days to study independently, or at the school. There is a lot of homework, especially reading, but plenty of time to work on it.

Posted: May 6, 2017

I have not seen any bullying on campus or anywhere associated with SLOCA programs. For the most part it appears the students have a lot of integrity to do the right thing. We have not had a lot of exposure to anything else, nor have heard or witnessed any bullying.

Posted: May 6, 2017

Every student has their educative platform that can be custom made for them. There is a GRID that is followed, but as a parent, if your student is above the level they are at in the current classroom grid, the teacher will encourage advancement into another level that is more apt to their level. For example, our 6 year old is in 1st grade home room, but is in 2nd grade math, reading and spelling. This is all possible with this hybrid education model. There is no way we would have been able to keep our sons attention at any other school. Does it work for everyone, probably not. Does it work for us, ABSOLUTELY!

Posted: May 6, 2017

There is a sense of community. There are effective leaders that are coaches. Those that are stronger in leadership abilities step up. Those that are supporters are always there available to take direction. The entire school is a team.

Posted: May 6, 2017

The school has monthly character building words that the students live by. These character traits are reinforced every morning when the entire school, K-12 comes together for the pledge and morning meeting.

Posted: May 6, 2017

All of the teachers here teach because it is their passion to nurture and grow. They do not belong to a Union, they do not make Union wages, the are extremely educated individuals that enjoy the gift they have of proper and effective methods of teaching.

Posted: May 6, 2017

They have the the "less is best" approach. The kids enjoy quality learning time and are not inundated with redundancy. It allows us to focus on the important aspects of learning and having the time to participate in outside extra curricular activities that most times offer more learning experiences that doing worksheets during dinner.

Posted: May 6, 2017

The hands on approach to learning is amazing. The network of the community is what makes the experience here so great. You get out of SLOCA what you put in. There are many great teachers there, but you can not hand over all the responsibility of educating your child to others. That is what we love about it. You can let your child soar the the highest heights without anyone holding them back. It is a place where a child builds a lot of confidence in their abilities and where it is "cool" to be smart and use your brain. Amazing place!

Posted: September 3, 2015

These teachers "get" classical education. They use socratic questioning even at the youngest ages, and it's inspiring to see how they can facilitate thoughtful discussions among the youngest minds. I wish I had teachers like the ones at SLOCA when I was in school!

Posted: September 3, 2015

SLOCA is a hybrid in-school/at-home model, so there is a considerable amount of work to be done at home. That being said, it's just the right amount, so long as your expectations are set appropriately.

Posted: September 3, 2015

This school takes the forging of character as seriously as it takes the acquiring of wisdom. We see it in how intentional the teachers and staff are at actually teaching about the elements of strong character, not just tossing the phrase in as an afterthought.

Posted: September 3, 2015

There is simply nothing else like SLOCA on the Central Coast. As a family that values lifelong education, and is looking for an environment that fosters wisdom, rather than "teaching to the test," we couldn't ask for anything more. SLOCA is so much more than a great place to educate children, it's also a fantastic and inspiring community. You will get just as much out of SLOCA as your kids will. I can't overstate how fortunate we are to have this school in San Luis Obispo. It's a real gem.

Posted: October 21, 2013

Great school. We love the classroom-homeschool hybrid approach. Our son's teacher AMAZING. She connects well with all the students and makes learning both challenging and fun. We also love the classical approach the school takes. Our son wakes US up every school day and lays his clothes out the night before. He loves it and we love it too.

Posted: October 13, 2013

New school for us, and we love it. I love the hybrid classroom/homeschool model, and love being actively involved in my children's learning. It's not always easy, but the effort is worth it. My daughters love going to class, think their teacher is awesome (I do, too!) and always have lots to tell me about what they learned. I am very glad this is the choice we made.

Posted: October 11, 2013

I think the school is phenomenal. I have firmly claimed that what makes it a wonderfully enriching experience for my family is that I am a pragmatist, not a perfectionist. I am looking to build on what's working, not create an unrealistic standard to do every possible thing to perfection. We read aloud more. My daughter's handwriting has improved for the first time since second grade. She is developing into a brilliant writer. We talk about how history connects with today. I am still terrible at math, and this part is not my favorite, but we are finding solutions. It is the most well thought out school I have been a part of, and we are thankful every day.

Posted: October 11, 2013

An excellent school. My child has thrived here academically and socially. The teachers are outstanding, as are the books and curriculum. I feel that my child is getting a very rich and deep academic experience that will benefit her throughout her life. I love that she is studying Latin and classical literature. She comes home each school day with many interesting things to share with the family. The parent community is committed and involved. Overall, a very positive experience for our family.

Posted: October 11, 2013

Going to SLOCA is the best decision our family has made! The best decision our family has made! This school's way of learning (classical) brought us closer together, enriched our discussions. Brought history to life through science, literature, art and other ways! We LOVE history and the richness of it, the lessons we learn from it and how we handle ourselves today! WE LOVE THIS SCHOOL, but be forewarned, it's hard work. You get out of it what you put into it, but the results can and will be AMAZING!!!! Thank you SLOCA!!!

Posted: April 12, 2013

Having researched the Classical Approach, I found this school to be one of the only schools to actually teach it. I must say though, it was a bit overwhelming going through a year of this school. It was very demanding, and at times very intimidating. As a newer parent, I felt way over my head with the curriculum, parent demands, and also learning how to teach my own child. The "old timers", the ones that had been there from the beginning and helped create it. felt right at home, but the new parents were stressed out. This school was not comfortable unless you had been here for a few years or more. This school is great, but there is no let up to breathe! The emails to read, grids to follow and mandatory parental meetings are at a heavy pace. This will be your entire life, no trips, weekends off, etc. The payoff is great though. Your child will learn a lot, and realize how much potential they really have. However, it is very hard to be a newcomer. Realize that you will have information overload and it comes with a cost... tuition. Yes, tuition, plus books, plus donations of additional monies at least twice a year. Parents, get ready to work at this school!!!!

Posted: June 11, 2012

We moved over to SLOCA after two years in public school. There is no comparison. The classrooms are small, only 14 students per teacher. The teachers are enthusiastic and work together as a team guided by a strong leadership with a solid vision. This is a school where parents are intimately involved, and this has been wonderful for our family. I was the only parent in my child's public school classroom that wanted to be involved and was only able to do so in a limited manner. So, if you are excited to be a part of your child's education, this is a wonderful fit. Most parents who stay with Sloca are the involved ones, as this is not a school to drop off your kids and forget them. It meets the needs of parents who want more involvement, but who also enjoy the community and support that they may not have as accessible with straight homeschooling. There are lots of opportunities for extra-curricular activities such as Academy Classes which provide a fun, light hearted, low commitment environment in which to sample a wide variety of different activities such as fencing, photography, karate, city planning, recorder, film making, guitar, felting, etc. VERY SATISFIED!!!

Posted: June 5, 2012

We have been at SLOCA for 5 years. It is an incredible school with teachers, staff, and parents that go above and beyond to support the SLOCA community. I have put two other children through public school and I have never received even close to the amount of support I receive at SLOCA over and over. To be part of SLOCA, you must be willing to be part of a commitment to excellence, commitment to communication, and commitment to student first. At SLOCA, students of all types thrive, parents thrive, and teachers and staff thrive. The leadership at this school work tirelessly to ensure that the students have the best learning experience that can possibly be provided. SLOCA students love to learn - SLOCA families love to learn!

Posted: May 29, 2012

SLO Classical Academy has offered our children a very rich learning experience. Small classroom sizes, literature based curriculum, teachers that go above and beyond to provide our children hands on learning. Yes, the school is not free - you pay for what you get. Our tuition dollars are providing my children an experience that is challenging, engaging and pushes them towards excellence. The administration truly puts their heart and soul into our school and it shows - most are parents of students enrolled so they are invested personally. They are continually trying to improve and actually listen to parental input by having surveys at the end of each trimester. Five stars all the way. But don't take my word for it come take a tour!

Posted: May 25, 2012

There is some good and some bad in all schools. Been here for 5 years. What has worked for one child doesn't work for the other ones. I admit I've witnessed a rapid decline in this schools overall goals during the past year and a half. Their "talks" are not very efficient at painting a true picture of what it takes to educate in this way. Don't be fooled! As a parent you'll have very little downtime with lots of expectations put on you to "help out." The other academic classes that are not typically found in a traditional school may seem adventurous and great for some. However, keep in mind that this may stress out a child. I've also found that in the lower grades the feedback from teachers is not done often enough or immediately enough. Don't be fooled by the academy class Friday time either. The majority of them are not designed to function as a mastery class. They are only 8 weeks long and they repeat skills instead of stepping it up throughout the year. Not much money and time left over for other effective fine arts instruction. Many resources to doing proper classical education at home! Looking forward to next year when we can finally do this and not be tied down.

Posted: May 21, 2012

We have been at SLO Classical Academy for over 5 years, and it grows better with each passing year. Our children are in small classes (no more than 14), and they are known by their teachers. I feel such a sense of partnership with the wonderful teachers, and I know that my children are receiving a top-notch education. The creativity and passion that goes into the running of this school amazes me. It is obvious that everyone who works there has a real love for our children and a desire to help them succeed. My children have created lasting friendships, and we as parents have a fantastic support network and an encouraging community of like-minded families, all working together to build a love for learning among our kids. It's working. Come check it out!

Posted: May 20, 2012

We are blessed to be attending SLOCA! This hybrid education gives our family the best of everything - incredible classroom instructors and the opportunity for home school days with Mom and Dad and our family and friends. We could not be more thrilled with this school! We have relaxing time at home and the opportunity for socializing with peers and for extracurricular activities that we love. In just two short years, our child has created lifelong friendships. He loves to go to school and to spend time with his friends on the home days. The curriculum is challenging and rich and FUN! Parents are dedicated, friendly and welcoming. Our child is thriving in this environment and we are incredibly grateful for his continued success!

Posted: May 20, 2012

Incredible school! I appreciate being involved in my children's education and value being in a community with others who are living the same thing. The families are wonderful and my children have great friends! Academically, the curriculum is full of great books, hands-on projects, all kinds of art, writing stories, making their own books, putting on puppet shows, re-enacting Shakespeare plays, literature discussions... many creative ways to bring learning to life. The class sizes are small (14 students!) so students are known and encouraged. I appreciate that most of the staff are also parents at the school and just as involved in living as in administering this rich education. I know decisions are carefully considered because anytime I have questions, someone is eager to explain the reasons behind the decisions. As another parent has said - this is one of the most well-thought out schools. As a private school, there is tuition, but it is worth every penny because I know that what my children are gaining now will also serve them well in the long run. My children love to learn, find school engaging and we are in a community of others who do so as well!

Posted: March 31, 2012

Terrible administration with no one leading by example. They consistently make hasty choices without parent and teacher feedback. What began as a beautiful idea is now crumbling. School has gotten too much of an EGO and has forgotten their way. Instead of driving children to love learning, they are cramming over-the-top, highly cerebral curriculum down their throats. They have also done away with their anti-bully model and allow terrible things to happen to other children without recourse. Great teachers do happen to be here if you're lucky enough to get one that has stayed on for more than 2 years. The turn around is ridiculous. My child had two new teachers come in mid-year two years in a row! Parents are exhausted with all that is being asked of them and now they decide to raise tuition? Crazy!

Posted: March 21, 2012

This hybrid school has regular classes two days a week and three days of home schooling. The teachers cannot be better! They are dedicated, passionate, and life long learners. Families are committed to spending quality time together, as well as using this most excellent, history based curriculum to learn together. There is never a dull or wasted moment in class, as students explore learning in incredibly unique and engaging ways with projects, acting out history, writing that is creative. Every book that our two children have read is literature that we want to keep in our home library, as they are rich in vocabulary and beautifully written and illustrated. The Singapore Math recently incorporated focuses on critical thinking. This is one dynamic school! We are pleased to be a part of this community.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Arbor Ridge Apartments	Apartment Complex	Santa Maria	CA	27.9 mi
2	Santa Maria	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Santa Maria	CA	28 mi
3	Orcutt	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Orcutt	CA	32.1 mi
4	Vandenberg Family Housing	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Vandenberg Air Force Base	CA	38.2 mi
5	Los Alamos	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Los Alamos	CA	43.5 mi
6	Lompoc	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lompoc	CA	46.5 mi

San Luis Obispo Classical Academy

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

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San Luis Obispo Classical Academy

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

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