Aristoi Classical Academy

Aristoi Classical Academy is a K-12 public charter school located in the Katy, Texas area. The school originally opened in 1996 under the name West Houston Charter School but was renamed in 2006. It serves students from adjacent districts, including parts of the Katy Independent School District and the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District.

History

Aristoi Classical Academy began as West Houston Charter School, focusing initially on catering to different learning styles. The school faced low enrollment but rebranded in 2006 and expanded its model to include a classical education curriculum. This shift led to significant growth, including the establishment of a new K-12 campus on Morton Road in 2016.

Mission and Vision

Aristoi's mission is to provide students with a challenging Classical Liberal Arts education, fostering a passion for learning and preparing students to become responsible citizens of virtuous character. The school's vision aims to graduate individuals who seek truth, understand learning as a lifelong pursuit, and possess critical thinking, clear communication, and persuasive writing skills. Aristoi seeks to cultivate virtues such as courage, moderation, wisdom, humility, and magnanimity in its students.

Curriculum

The curriculum at Aristoi is rooted in classical education, drawing from ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. It emphasizes literature, poetry, philosophy, and political experiences that form the foundation of Western civilization. The school believes these elements provide wisdom relevant to contemporary life.

Governance and Finance

Aristoi Classical Academy is recognized as a 501(c)3 organization, operating as a nonprofit for educational purposes. It is funded primarily through program services, with a portion coming from contributions and investment income. The organization's financial structure includes significant assets and liabilities, with operational expenses predominantly dedicated to salaries.

Campus Structure

Aristoi operates across multiple campuses. The Main Campus houses elementary grades (Kindergarten to 4th Grade), while the Morton Road Campus serves higher grades (5th through 12th) and hosts district offices. There is also an effort to expand into the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District area.

Mascot and Colors

The school's mascot is the Griffin, symbolizing strength and wisdom. The colors associated with Aristoi Classical Academy are orange, grey, navy, and white.

Nonprofit Status

The academy's nonprofit status allows donations to be tax-deductible. This designation aligns with its educational mission and purpose.