It’s Thursday, and Michael hops on the train at Upper Hutt Station to begin his journey to school. Along the way, he meets fellow schoolmates at other stations until they arrive at Wellington Station. Basil, the shuttle driver, is waiting and delivers them all safely to school. From mathematics and Latin to cricket at lunchtime and calligraphy in electives — here is what a typical day at Altum Classical Academy really looks like.
We recently gathered feedback from our founding families. Here is what they had to say about life at Altum — from academic rigour and school culture, to student engagement and practical logistics.
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What does ‘classical education’ actually mean? Principal Christian Pera explains the rich tradition that shapes the Altum curriculum and what makes it distinctly suited to Aotearoa New Zealand.
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What is a charter school, and why does New Zealand need them? Discover how charter schools bridge the gap between state and independent education — free and open to all.
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Discover the key term dates for Altum Classical Academy and stay prepared for a smooth, well‑planned school year.
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Remember your high school years? They are enormously important for a child/burgeoning adult. These developmental years shape a youngster into who they will become, and parents who have done their homework will make sure their child’s school is a lot more than just a delivery system for lessons.
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At Altum Classical Academy, a knowledge-rich education is something to be desired. The school maintains that the reading, in-depth study and understanding of classic literature is essential to a student’s development of mind and character.
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Altum Classical Academy was initially the brainchild of mother and home-schooler Jane Stewart, who started with the idea of running a small school from her home but was encouraged to apply for a charter school.
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Aristotle once said, “it takes an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” What he’s saying is that it takes character for a person to think for themselves while holding someone else’s ideas at arm’s length.
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There’s something about Christian Pera that puts you on your best behaviour, though his manner is warm and at ease. He speaks about his new role, as founding principal of Altum Classical Academy, with intelligence and enthusiasm. It’s not hard to see why the new charter school snapped him up.
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The founders of Altum Classical Academy have a vision of cultivating wise, articulate young people, equipped to lead fulfilling lives. Alongside the knowledge-rich curriculum, each student will also learn the value of self-discipline, kindness and respect.
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Can schools teach wisdom and virtue, help instil character, not just pass on information? Yes, parents absolutely have the primary role to play in teaching their children values such as integrity, resilience, character and decency; but what if they had a school backing them up?
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