Discover Chesterton

Our Model of Education

Inspired by Saint Pope John Paul II, we take as our motto Cultura Vitae, the culture of life. We make it our mission to prepare our students to triumph over the materialism and despair that pervade our culture and to accept our Lord's offer to have life and have it abundantly. Our classical curriculum combines a broad liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the cultivation of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty.

The Three Pillars

  • We teach the classics of Western thought from physics to philosophy, and the interrelationship of the great ideas; teaching students not merely what to think but how to think.

  • We help students grow in the four cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice, which we believe are the foundation of leadership.

  • Our students come to understand and embrace the truth of why they exist: to know God, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world and be happy with Him forever in the next.

G.K. Chesterton

The Chesterton Schools Network is named for the great English writer and Catholic convert, G.K. Chesterton (1874- 1936). Chesterton is our school’s patron because he exemplified the Catholic faith through a life filled with joy, wonder, and gratitude.

Chesterton was considered one of the world’s most outstanding men of letters in the early 20th century. An accomplished essayist, novelist, and poet, he wrote a hundred books on all different subjects. In 1922, he shocked the literary establishment by converting to Catholicism. He was later eulogized by Pope Pius XI as “a gifted defender of the faith,” and there is presently a popular movement to have him canonized. He not only represents the fullness of faith and reason, but also Catholic joy and common sense.

 Our Patrons

St. Benedict

St. Benedict and his twin sister, St. Scholastica, were born in the 5th century in Nursia, Italy.  As a young man, he became a monk and his reputation for holiness spread quickly. The 5th century was a very turbulent time, thus he started monasteries to help other monks establish a Rule of Life. His Rule, which focused on ora et labora (pray and work), was full of both discipline and gentleness. He knew that praying, reading scripture, and thanking God throughout the day, along with laboring together, makes a monastery a place of joyful work. Thousands of monasteries were founded on his Rule, keeping faith and learning alive during the difficulties of the Middle Ages in Europe. Many miracles were attributed to St. Benedict in his lifetime and beyond.  

St. Benedict is the patron saint of students and Europe. His feast day is July 11th.

The Chesterton Schools Network

We are part of the Chesterton Schools Network based in Minneapolis. An apostolate of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton, the Chesterton Schools Network aims to inspire and encourage parent-led Catholic schools across the nation. The Network offers consulting services, templates for evaluating interest and operating a school, and the Chesterton Academy curriculum framework.

Board of Directors

  • Stephanie Thornton, Co-Founder

    Stephanie Thornton has a background in the liberal arts with degrees in English and Spanish and a graduate degree in Education Administration. Her career in higher education has included a number of years teaching and counseling university students as they discerned their major and academic path for their interests and strengths. Stephanie, her husband Doug, and their family reside in Columbus, Ohio.

  • Doug Thornton, Co-Founder

    Doug Thornton is a Technical Director with 20 years of experience delivering cutting edge solutions in a range of disciplines to a variety of customers spanning energy, defense, sporting goods and telecommunications. He holds a doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering and has been issued 30 US patents. Currently, Doug focuses on meeting the needs of each customer and building teams to solve their hardest challenges.

  • Ken Bellaire, Co-Founder

    Ken Bellaire is a commercial finance lawyer with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and Harvard Law School. Ken resides in Upper Arlington, Ohio with his wife and three children.

  • Melissa Neal, Co-Founder

    Melissa Neal is a homeschooling mother of four. Her passion for classical education began at St. John’s College (Annapolis, Maryland) where she received her BA in liberal arts. She has a Master of Architecture from The Ohio State University and has worked in marketing. In her free time, she enjoys serving as a catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She and her family reside in Columbus.

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