Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
“My child is becoming the kind of person I always hoped she’d grow into—curious, grounded, thoughtful, and genuinely kind.”
That’s a sentiment teachers and administrators at Carmel Latin School (CLS) hear often from parents who say the school doesn’t just educate their children—it molds them into whole human beings who think deeply, act wisely, and treat others with respect.
That transformation is no accident. Carmel Latin School, founded in 2011 by families seeking a rigorous classical Christian education, has grown into an independent nonprofit serving the Carmel community, educating more than 1,000 students over the past 15 years with consistently strong academic outcomes. Operating two campuses (one for lower school students and one for students in seventh through 12th grades), the school’s leadership is focused on forming students of character and intellect.
For families new to classical education, Latin may seem like an academic throwback. But at CLS, it’s a cornerstone. Students begin Latin in second grade and continue through 12th grade, building cumulative knowledge year after year. Assistant Principal Tyler Davis explains that by third grade, students are comparing Latin grammar and sentence structure to English grammar, becoming conscious of how language works. That awareness strengthens writing, reading and even future language study.
“Latin filters through French, Spanish, Italian—even German,” Davis says.
Principal Audra Kauffman notes that any student who enrolls at CLS begins in Latin 1.
“We don’t jump you up to the grade level of your peers,” she says. “Therefore, people in our classes are in various levels of Latin depending on how long they’ve been in our school.”
In an era of tablets and laptops, Carmel Latin School intentionally keeps classrooms screen-free. Elementary students use no technology, and high schoolers use computers only for specific tasks, such as lab reports or graphs. According to Davis, research increasingly shows digital learning undermines focus.
“A student can have an ocean of information at their fingertips,” he says, “but if they’ve been trained to jump from hyperlink to hyperlink, that really sets them at a disadvantage.”
This is where a structured, distraction-free environment helps, as does memorizing Bible verses and poetry.
Administrators work closely with families to create reasonable accommodations while maintaining high academic standards. From phonics-based early instruction to differentiated math pathways, CLS helps students of all abilities grow. By keeping class sizes small (an average of 15 students per class), teachers get to know their students academically, personally and spiritually.
“No one gets lost in our classes,” says Cindy Davis, curriculum director.
Classical education at CLS is not simply about mastering content. It’s about shaping students’ minds, hearts and character. They read enduring literature, study ancient philosophers and learn from the moral teachings of Jesus Christ. They encounter characters who model wisdom and folly and discuss how those choices play out in real life.
“Plus,” says Kauffman, “every student takes Christian Studies, learning the stories of Scripture and the redemptive arc of God’s plan.”
Carmel Latin School’s enrichment programs extend classical learning beyond the classroom. The debate team consistently performs well against larger schools, thanks to students’ strong grounding in history and critical thinking. Students in grades 7–12 contribute to the yearbook, honing writing, editing, and design skills.
The Shakespeare Club stages modernized productions—set in the 1970s or the Wild West—while preserving Shakespeare’s original language. Performances pack the Cat Theatre each spring. In addition, every student participates in choir, learns to read music and can join strings or handbells.
The school’s house system—four houses spanning grades seven through 12—creates cross-grade friendships, leadership opportunities and healthy competition. Students earn points through academic, athletic, musical and creative challenges.
“They may participate in a game of chess, bake a gingerbread house, chop wood or contribute to creative projects,” says Davis. “It’s a great way for every person in the house to be recognized based on their strengths.”
Seniors in the house mentor younger students, modeling kindness, respect, and responsibility. Families consistently praise the school’s warm culture. New students are welcomed quickly, and parents appreciate the structured classrooms, strong curriculum, and character-focused environment.
Every couple of years, high school students have the opportunity to participate in a capstone experience by traveling to Europe for a 10-day trip. They get a chance to walk the Acropolis, stand inside the Colosseum and swim in the Aegean Sea—experiences that transform abstract history lessons into vivid memories. The trips also strengthen camaraderie; everywhere they go, locals comment on the students’ respectful behavior.
Carmel Latin School is more than a school—it’s a community committed to forming wise, virtuous and thoughtful young people who are ready to lead, ready to learn and ready to live well.
Carmel Latin School is located at 1402 W. Main St., Carmel, IN 46032. For more information, call 317-645-5850 or visit carmellatin.org.
