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Chesterton Academy of St. Finbar
A joyfully Catholic, Classical high school in Charleston, SC.
Raising Up a New Generation of Joyful Leaders and Saints
High School with a Higher Purpose
Chesterton Academy of St. Finbar is an independent Classical Catholic high school in Charleston, South Carolina. Inspired by the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith, Chesterton Academy seeks to form young men and women to be joyful saints. By introducing them to great thinkers such as Socrates, Thomas Aquinas and Dante, and by forming them in a distinctly Catholic culture, we lead students to choose for themselves the adventure of being a disciple of Christ.
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This fall, students at Chesterton Academy of St. Finbar began their high school literary careers with the cornerstone of the Western canon: Homer’s The Iliad. The text can be challenging for numerous reasons—its form is unfamiliar, the subject matter is foreign, and the prose can be difficult to follow. Students are often surprised to learn that the two elements of the story they may be familiar with—Helen of Troy and the Trojan Horse—are relegated to the background or missing entirely. The story undercuts their expectations. Achilles smolders with rage as countless Greeks and Trojans die. The petty, deathless gods plot and scheme—more flawed than the mortals over whom they wield power. The question inevitably arises: “Why are we reading this?”
Photo gallery within! Our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was a day of genuine thanksgiving as we officially opened Chesterton Academy of St. Finbar. The Bishop offered a blessing over our school and community and Dr. Dale Ahlquist, founder of the Chesterton Schools Network, spoke directly to our students with his characteristic warmth and wit, reminding them that education is a great adventure - one that unites truth, beauty, and goodness. We extend a heartfelt thanks to Brandon Lata, CASF parent and photographer, for documenting the event so beautifully.
Are high school students truly connecting with what they read—or just checking off assignments?
In this episode, Mr. Tony Licari shares how his unique background—from teaching nuclear power in the Navy to leading English and Science at Chesterton Academy St. Finbar—shapes a powerful, structured approach to literature that helps even struggling readers engage deeply with the classics. He also explores how ancient science and myth tie into modern-day wonder and critical thinking.
What if the key to shaping virtuous, well-rounded young minds isn’t STEM—but beauty? In this conversation, Mrs. Emily French Kenny, our art teacher at Chesterton Academy St. Finbar, shares how integrating art and art history into a student’s curriculum helps develop not just skill, but character. In a world overwhelmed by utilitarianism and ugliness, could rediscovering beauty be the answer?
What if music education could do more than teach your child how to sing—what if it could unlock beauty, discipline, and deeper human connection? In today’s episode, Dr. Valentino Piran, Music Director at Chesterton Academy of St. Finbar, shares how a foundation in classical and sacred music shapes not just students’ talent, but their souls, minds, and character—especially in a culture that’s starved for beauty.
In this episode, meet Ms. Rachel Willoughby, a dynamic educator bringing years of experience in faith formation and high school instruction to Chesterton Academy. She shares how subjects like Latin and Euclidean geometry go far beyond textbooks to shape students into thoughtful, confident, and articulate individuals.
We’re celebrating the cherry on top of the smashing success that was orientation week here at CASF! A huge and heartfelt thank you to Father Wilson for joining us Friday afternoon for our House Ceremony and for blessing our students, teachers, families, and classrooms. This year, our students will become leaders together, as one unified house, working on service projects, fundraising, and community outreach under the House of St. Finbar. Next year, they’ll take younger students under their wings as prefects! What an absolutely beautiful beginning for this very special group.
Wow, what a blessed first day of orientation! From a beautiful Morning Assembly welcoming families into our space at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Parish Hall, then parent coffee with Dr. McCoy while students got a taste of Latin with Ms. Willoughby, and onto their first walk over to Mass and Adoration… words cannot express the depth of our gratitude toward all the parents who are entrusting us to help shepherd and form their children for the next four years. What an absolute privilege!
Nearly two years in the making… we’re finally ready to welcome the first students of Chesterton Academy of St. Finbar! We’re overflowing with excitement, gratitude, and nerves… and brimming with joy! From our ceiling to our walls to our floor, our space has been transformed in a matter of weeks thanks to our tireless team and we are THRILLED to be able to give you a glimpse of what our students will be experiencing today. Please join us in praying for our school, students, teachers, headmistress, and parents, as we embark on what is going to be an epic year.