Teaching for Virtue

The school’s virtues are taken from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, recognized as the greatest book about virtue. Students are encouraged to practice the virtues with the understanding that the higher virtues will become easier as the lower virtues become habits. To live the good life a person must cultivate good character as a foundation for the intellectual virtues.

Each virtue is accompanied by an explanatory statement intended to help students understand the virtue and the ways in which its associated vices can take root in the character of a young person. We speak about virtue in the same way in all grades because we want students to understand that virtue is for all human beings no matter their age.

Core Virtues

The School’s core virtues are the guiding principles used to cultivate and nurture character. Students are expected to conduct themselves honorably in word and deed, to strive to live by the virtues, and to encourage others to do so as well.

Responsibility

Take pride in your work and your duties. Hold yourself accountable even when others do not.

Wisdom

Cultivate a thirst for knowledge about the most important things.

Student Honor Code

Students at Northwest Ohio Classical Academy pursue a moral and intellectual education and are expected to behave in accordance with the Student Honor Code:

“Northwest Ohio Classical Academy Honor Code Northwest Ohio Classical Academy students strive to be virtuous in conduct, seek to grow in scholarship and learning, and pursue a commitment toward civic responsibility. NOCA students will not lie, cheat, or steal, and will discourage others from such actions. Northwest Ohio Classical Academy was founded to develop students in both mind and character.”

NOCA Pledge

Guided by faculty, staff, and parents, students should seek to exhibit the School’s virtues and live by the School pledge:

I will learn the True, I will do the Good, I will love the Beautiful.