As Aristotle puts it:

“educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

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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 literary-forward, knowledge-rich curriculum, each student will also learn the value of self-discipline, kindness and respect. These things, taught together, will encourage young men and women to think deeply, reason with thought and compassion, communicate with confidence and play an active role in shaping the world around them.

It's been observed that young people exposed to this kind of education don’t tend to sit around twiddling their thumbs, but go on to make valuable contributions to their community, economy and nation.

A school that builds on strong foundations

It all starts with a school that provides a knowledge-rich, classical curriculum.

At Altum, the curriculum is explicitly taught, which means each skill or concept is explained in a clear and direct way. The teacher outlines what needs to be learned, models how to do it, then gives students a chance to practise and receive feedback.

This is a school with a focus on reading and the understanding of what is read. Reading great ideas in literature in depth and discussing it at length cultivates critical thinking; this in turn leads to the development of problem-solving skills.

The teachers at Altum Academy are committed to the principle that education requires hard work and intellectual challenge. It’s their belief that students require a strong base of common knowledge to succeed in education and life. This is reflected in the school’s slogan, “alta per ardua”, meaning “the high things through the hard things.”

Cultural literacy and critical thinking

We all need cultural literacy: shared facts, stories and ideas that help us understand the world around us and participate confidently in society.

There is an increasing demand for schools that provide a traditional approach to learning. This is particularly so in the Wellington region where to-date there have been few such options available.

Only now, through the re-introduction of charter schools, have high schools like Altum Academy had the freedom and flexibility to concentrate on teaching children how to think (not what to think).

Altum Academy’s founding principal, Christian Pera, is no stranger to hard work. In his early years he pursued both an education degree and a sporting career. Well aware of the opportunities that led to his own educational successes and career, Principal Pera believes that every child, whatever their background, should have access to a quality education. He says, “our mission is to give students the time-honoured master keys that will open the doors to their best future.”

Opening doors in Wellington

As a charter school, Altum is free to shape its own curriculum, provided the students meet key educational benchmarks. Altum’s rigorous approach and high expectations mean these benchmarks are seen as a floor, not a ceiling.

When Altum Classical Academy opens its doors on 2 February 2026, the school is looking to hit the ground running. With the intention to open multiple campuses across the country over the next few years, Altum’s initial flagship campus will be run out of Wellington in the leafy suburb of Wilton - on the grounds of the recently closed Cardinal McKeefry Catholic Primary School.

It's not too late to enrol

Starting with years 7 to 9, Altum intends to add a new year level each year until the school has built up to the full complement of years 7 to 13 by 2030. The expectation is that as awareness grows, the 100 places for the coming year will fill quickly.

Parents wishing to give their children a quality education will be excited by the arrival of Altum Classical Academy. It could be that the best education money can buy is absolutely free. Enrol now.

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