Almost everyone can name one teacher they remember. Not necessarily the one with the strictest rules or the most impressive résumé, but the one who made learning come alive. The one who saw something in us before we could see it ourselves.

As families return from the holidays and children reenter school routines, it’s worth pausing to ask: What kind of childhood are we cultivating? At Alexandria Classical Christian Academy (ACCA), we believe the answer matters deeply—and it begins with reclaiming something simple, powerful, and increasingly rare: meaningful outdoor play.

Every parent wants their child to succeed. But as the pressure mounts—for full schedules, packed curricula, polished transcripts, and strong test scores—many families are beginning to pause and ask a quieter, more important question this admissions season: What makes a school truly good?

In Alexandria, Halloween isn’t just a holiday—it’s an art form. Streets glow with purple lights and iridescent spiders, 12-foot skeletons guard front yards and doorways, and friendly rivalries over “most creative” and “most extra” displays are in full swing. Before the candy rush begins, our contributors share how they celebrate spooky season in style.

At Alexandria Classical Christian Academy, we embrace a classical approach to education—what Dorothy Sayers called the “Lost Tools of Learning.” Two of these tools—Latin and cursive—often surprise parents. Why go “old school”? Because these disciplines unlock more than words on a page; they train the mind, shape the imagination, and connect students to the richness of Western thought.

Alexander, Angelica, and Kelly aren’t just helping grow Alexandria Classical Christian Academy—they’re raising daughters in the same 4th grade class and making their mark in Old Town with style to spare. See our latest feature where these three share their story and show off their fall looks.

One of the things I often think about at Alexandria Classical Christian Academy is what level of independence is appropriate to give children. Especially, when our top responsibility is to keep children safe. It’s because of this commitment that we’ve approached the two matters with a bit of independent thinking in the current school landscape: technology and outdoor time. 

The work of play (if it’s good play) builds strong people. In his book The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt describes the best kind of play as spending time outdoors wherein children decide what to do for themselves – they make up the games, competitions, crafts, and there is some risk of getting hurt. This helps build resilience while nurturing and strengthening all the things so inherent to children. 

Families in Alexandria and the D.C. metro area are a uniquely driven bunch. You’re so passionate about setting your children up for success, that you’re willing to make any sacrifices for them to position them for better opportunities. As you’re preparing for fall, I have a few suggestions as you consider shaping this year to be a great success for your child.

“There just aren’t enough options,” said Katherine. “Christian schools and nondenominational schools are having a hard time. We are a classical program, low tech and we spend a lot of time outdoors. We have a gorgeous outdoor space to use…and we’re often outside building forts."