This a continuation of an interviewed of me by Andrew Kern (a friend and founder of the Circe Institute ) for a revision of his book on Classical Christian Education. I wanted to share my answers to some of the questions with you. I will share them one or two at a time:

4. What evidence of its success do you encounter beyond the statistics and data. Here I have in mind things like what you mentioned about your own children. Particular anecdotes or broad general statements would both be welcomed.

My favorite examples come from my own family. My daughters love some of the books that I love. My eldest has to be punished for reading and ignoring others (it is hard for me to do this). My next daughter lives in Narnia until recently—now she is in Middle Earth. My third daughter is plunging through the wardrobe now. My youngest (not school age) is jealous and is listening.

The enjoy singing with their parents. They sing beautiful and we like the same songs and hymns.

I also take some joy from my alumni. Here are some quips. I had an engineering major who let me know that they wanted to do a master’s degree in Literature. I had another engineering major from Princeton that is planning on Seminary. The main joy is seeing them all sit down around a table and start to feel at home. They live in worlds (and in institutions of learning) peopled with persons different than them. When we sit down together, we fall back into the old familiar paths of discussion. We discuss our latest reading or good films. They are culturally engaged at levels that are encouraging. They are asking good questions and doing good things.