What is Imago Dei Classical Academy?

We are a classical, christian hybrid academy based in New Orleans, LA (Westbank).

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)

In the epistle to the church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul urges the fathers in the church to bring up their children through enculturation (nurture & admonition). Imago Dei Academy seeks to be an extension of the parents’ efforts to teach their children the norms, values, and mores of the Christian faith. We view the Scriptures as the inspired, inerrant, sufficient, authoritative Word of God and are “to be the rule of faith and life” (2 LBC 1.2). We believe that all wisdom necessary for life, including education, can be deduced from the Scriptures.

“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” – Jeremiah 6:16 (KJV)

When speaking to the kingdom of Judah, the Lord calls the people to walk the old paths, where the good way is. In so doing, he reminds them of all that he has set down to them in the past. Although they ultimately reject that wisdom, we can learn from this verse with respect to education. Modern education has failed to live up to its lofty promises, but there is a better way. The way is going back to what is tried, true, and tested. What is now called Classical education was once the standard for education for many millennia and Imago Dei seeks to walk the old path where the good way is to find “educational” rest.

Dr. Christopher Perrin defines Classical Christian education as “a traditional approach to education that blends Christian theology with the historic curriculum and pedagogy of the seven liberal arts in order to cultivate societal leaders characterized by wisdom, virtue and eloquence.”.

“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” – Ephesians 4:16 (KJV)

We believe that the Christian community is essential for the building of the body. For that purpose, we partner with parents interested in the hybrid model of education. Simply put, the hybrid model is a combination of “in class” and “at home” instruction. Our academy meets two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The hybrid model allows students to spend a focused amount of time on core classical subjects before returning to their homes to do homework and spend time on other interests and responsibilities. This model helps students become more independent and disciplined learners.