Arlington Classics Academy: A Private-School Education at a Public-School Cost

One of the best-kept secrets in Tarrant County education is Arlington Classics Academy, a charter school located in southwest Arlington. The school serves students from Tarrant and Johnson Counties in grades K-6. Just like schools associated with school districts in Texas, charter schools receive funding from the state government and charge no tuition. Unlike schools in traditional districts, though, most charter schools do not, for the most part, provide transportation, and they are responsible for funding their own facilities, instead of holding district-wide bond elections.

Because of these financial and facility-based challenges, many Texas charter schools have struggled, and others have come under fire for misusing state educational funds. However, there are many charter schools in Texas that are providing a quality education to their children, and Arlington Classics Academy is one of the foremost among these schools.

My children entered ACA from a private kindergarten and were immediately challenged by the higher academic standards. The kindergarten teachers at ACA teach primarily at a first-grade level, a trend that is held through grade six. Because Texas charter schools are liberated from many of the curriculum requirements that apply to schools in traditional school districts, they are free to attempt innovative curriculum methods to gain superior results. ACA’s method is retro rather than innovative, because it uses the trivium method from classical education, focusing on the “grammar” (or basic elements) of each of the core curriculum areas and moving into the “logic” (or reasoning elements) of each of the core areas in the middle grades.

Another unique feature about ACA is the class schedule. Classes last thirty minutes longer than in traditional schools on Monday through Thursday, and then get out two hours earlier on Fridays. This gives students a more meaningful weekend, allowing families to plan weekend trips together. This does create logistical challenges for families where both parents work, or in single-family households, but the bond among families at ACA is such that it is easy to make arrangements when needed.

There is generally a waiting list for ACA, but openings appear from time to time. Because ACA is not a private school, there is no testing, no interview, no entrance requirements – the higher expectations and solid academic culture are available to any students who wish to enter. Their website is http://www.arlingtonclassics.org, and their phone is (817) 274-2008. If you are looking for an alternative to the Arlington Independent School District and do not want to pay private school tuition in elementary school, ACA may be the school for you!