Frequently Asked Questions

It is largely because of its approach to how and when students are taught. Regardless of their learning style, children learn in three phases or stages (grammar, logic, and rhetoric), known as the trivium.

In the grammar stage (K–6), students are naturally adept at memorizing through songs, chants, and rhymes. If you can get children in this stage to sing or chant something, they will remember it for a lifetime.

In the logic stage (grades 7–8), teenage students are naturally more argumentative and begin to question authority and facts. They want to know the “why” of something—the logic behind it. During this stage, students learn reasoning, informal and formal logic, and how to argue with wisdom and eloquence.

The rhetoric stage (grades 9–12) is naturally when students become independent thinkers and communicators. They study and practice rhetoric, which is the art of persuasive speaking and effective writing that pleases and delights the listener.

Again, it is this approach to teaching students, based on their developmental stage, that makes classical education so very effective.

Classical Education imparts knowledge, inculcates sound thinking, forms intellectual virtue, sharpens discernment, and helps one grapple with the meaning of the good life. It upholds truth and beauty, helping students distinguish between good and bad, better and worse. It does not shrink from enforcing respect and discipline, as these are necessary not only for the establishment of a studious school culture, but for the growth and lifelong thriving of students. It transmits culture from generation to generation by implementing a content-rich curriculum whereby it helps students attain a common cultural literacy, and it recognizes that such a task is possible only by emphasizing the best works of our literary canon and culture.

In 2022-2023, we will offer grades K-7 and we are so excited that we will be in our new facility.  We add a grade level every year. Future plans do include a high school.

We are a Tuition Free school; hence, there is no cost to attend UCCS. The only cost involved is the purchasing of your child’s school supplies and school uniform. You must be a resident of North Carolina to attend UCCS since we are a publicly funded school.

Unity provides an academically demanding liberal arts education with the best of traditional and more contemporary teaching methods. For younger students, emphasis will be placed on hands on, experiential learning, especially in the sciences. The subjects taught at Unity Classical Charter School include:

• Latin and Greek (Classical Academic Press)
• Mathematics (Singapore math series for K–8)
• Literature, Grammar, phonics, and composition (Core Knowledge with an additional focus on the great works of the Western World)
• Penmanship and Cursive (Memoria Press): Copy books and New American Cursive (Memoria Press)
• History and Social Studies (Core Knowledge and Social Studies Weekly: a study of timelines to understand the ordering of basic historical events; exposure to the major ancient civilizations; work with maps and globes to learn geography)
• Science and geography (Core Knowledge and Science Weekly)
• Spanish language
• Classical music theory (Core Knowledge)
• Classical art (to be taught throughout the curriculum—Core Knowledge and Studies Weekly)
• Recitation (Kindergarten and up); and
• Physical Education
• STEAM

Based upon our charter, Unity Classical utilizes the Core Knowledge curriculum and adopts NC Common Core State Standards. The substantive content of the Common Core State Standards Initiative is fine; however, we wish to teach even more and we wish to teach deeper into the subject areas. We aim to teach critical thinking skills as well as ultimately, we aim to teach students how to think for themselves.

First, we expect our students to outperform other students in standardized testing. Research has consistently shown that classically educated students who study Latin typically test a grade or two higher than their peers, especially in the older grades. Second, we will test less often than most other schools. We do not ‘teach to the test’. That being said, we will take all tests that are mandated by the state, as well as engage in formative and summative assessments so that our teachers can better meet their students where they are and provide the help our students require in order to master their subjects and provide the challenge our students need to continue to move down their learning path.

At Unity Classical, our commitment to our students, teachers, parents, community and stakeholders is that safety is one of our highest priorities. We require CPR/First Aid training and mandated background checks for staff. Volunteers who work directly with our students in the classroom are also required to submit to a background check. We also provide an Emergency Crisis Manual regarding emergencies, lockdowns, fire, tornado, and hurricane drills. A copy of our manual is provided to our staff and a copy is available in our administrative office for parents/stakeholders to review City and state inspections are conducted to ensure that it complies with all child-safety regulations. Additionally, we consult with specialists regarding disaster planning and schedule periodic evacuation practices regarding emergency preparedness.

We place a strong preference for hiring teachers with certifications in their content areas such as Early Education, the Classics, or a Liberal Arts discipline. Moreover, we will also entertain the idea of hiring teachers who have degrees in their specialties, such as foreign languages, art, and music.

“The best education for the best is the best education for all,”—Mortimer Adler

Our mission is to teach All children using the best educational model.

All Unity students are required to be in uniform every day. Uniforms must be clean, mended, and properly worn. School uniforms have two functions: (1) to promote discipline and neatness (including modesty), thereby honoring the dignity of the student and the student’s academic purpose; and (2) to promote uniformity in dress, which helps students to avoid unnecessary distractions, competition, and exclusiveness, and which minimizes the expression of wealth or poverty through clothing.

All students will study Latin, Spanish, and Greek. Our early Latin and Greek curriculum consists primarily of exposure to Latin and Greek chants, words, and phrases. More formal Latin instruction begins in 3rd grade. The goal is for our students to reach conversational and beginning reading proficiency while in the lower grades.

We offer bus transportation in the form of cluster stops.  There are also some daycares in the area that offer drop off and/or pick up services.    .

The school day officially begins at 8:00 am and ends at 3:30 pm.  Student drop-off begins through our carline 7:40 am. Student pick-up is from 3:30 pm. to 4:05 pm. In addition, Steele Creek Church partners with us to provide our students with an after-care school program should you wish to enroll your child(ren).

Yes. Our admissions policy requires an Enrollment Application and is based upon a lottery process. Unity Classical does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, disability, religion, or living location in North Carolina. As long as you are a North Carolina resident, can transport your child to school and pick him or her up on time, you may complete our admissions forms for your child(ren).

We believe parents are the primary educators of their children. Parental involvement is not only appreciated, but we feel it is crucial to the identity and mission of Unity Classical Charter School. Parents of our students can coordinate an array of programs for the school, from PTC involvement to helping with classroom parties and field trips. Please contact your teacher or a staff member if you can volunteer your time, talents, or special skills. We thank you in advance for helping to make our school special!