All operating systems work in our online classroom. Windows, Mac, Linux--we are cross-platform (alas, currently WebEx does not support the use of VoiP with tablets). Your computer will install a little bit of software when you first join our classes. Allow an extra five minutes prior to the start of the first session you attend to allow your computer to load the essential software.

Some public computers (at libraries or public schools, for example) will not allow you to install this software without special permission. Speak to your local technical personnel to allow you to install this software snippet on a public computer.

Though our online classroom is equipped for two-way voice (VoIP) and video, we find that there are too many distractions if we turn on all the bells and whistles. Students only need to have computer speakers or a headset to hear the instructor's voice for most classes unless otherwise noted. Students will communicate during class using through chat that may be visible to other students at the instructor's discussion.

You must have a broadband internet connection like DSL, cable or fiber optic. Dial-up will not work.

Contact us and request a sample. Feel free to specify topics if you are interested in our Greek or Latin courses, for example. We will usually be able to provide a link to view a sample quickly if your request comes during normal business hours.

There are currently a number of education providers who seek to 'cover all the subjects' with dozens of classes by as many instructors. All of our courses are taught by instructors who are experts in the field of Classical language, history and archaeology. Rather than create a class and find somebody to teach it, we teach only subjects in which our specialists are enthusiastically expert and have all taught at the college level. Since our instructors have taught at the college level, all of our semester courses are college preparatory.

Accreditation at the high school level is different than accreditation at the college level. There is no approved list of accrediting institutions at the secondary level for non-public schools. "If your child completes a high school-level text by a reputable publisher in an academic course (math, science, English, foreign language, or history), consider the material covered to be one credit. A one credit course typically requires one school year to complete (HSLDA)."

The term 'accredited' at the high school level indicates an affiliation between a private institution and an accrediting post secondary institution. Such an affiliation comes at a cost and would make our courses significantly more expensive.

If you are interested in taking our courses but are completing a program offered by a public or private institution, we will be happy to speak the principal or registrar of that institution. The credentials of all our instructors have been by accepted by a wide variety of both public and private institutions "for credit." Please check with your institution. We are happy to work with them to help you take our courses.

The philosopher Aristotle founded a school near Athens and called it the Lukeion or "lyceum." Students and teachers didn't sit in a classroom but walked around examining the world. They were called the peripatetics ('walk-bouts') because they never stayed put. Aristotle fostered zeal for the study of all disciplines in the ancient world. We chose our name based on the original Lukeion--mobile, flexible, cutting edge and passionate about the ancient world. The term "Lukeion" is still used today in modern Greece. It means "high school."

While we were archaeologists and educators for a long time, it was not until December, 2005, that we launched The Lukeion Project.

Our courses not only cater to auditory and visual learners (your student has a front row seat in a fully illustrated, interactive lecture) but our online reinforcement quizzes and games will allow your kinesthetic learners get the most from the material as well. All major universities and colleges are implementing live online classes because students of the technological age prefer them over almost all other types of learning experiences. All that being said, we have a good time in class. We aren't afraid to use a bit of humor if it means students will remember the material better.

We know that individuals are driven by interest sometimes ahead of skill. That is why our workshops are excellent for just about everyone ages 10 through adult. Quizzes are optional and in-class review polls are just plain fun (our own children fight over who gets to take them). We have had gifted children as young as second grade attend our workshops with a parent, as well as retirement age 'arm chair archaeologists'--and everyone in between.

We ask that our semester-long classes be attended by those functioning at the high school level (not necessarily high school age). There are challenging classes which require a weekly and even daily work commitment. We welcome gifted and profoundly gifted students. We are happy to discuss good placement for your gifted learner at any age.

If you want your younger student to hear the material but not participate in the class through tests and papers, please consider the option of auditing the course (this is only an option if the class is not full and is not recommended for language courses).

It’s true that the truths (facts) of history are not changing, BUT no one has all the facts, so our understanding of history is progressing daily as we learn more. Every day archaeologists, historians, and philologists (linguists) are making discoveries that can fundamentally change our understanding of the ancient world. Any tutorial or book is likely to be out-of-date as soon as it goes to press.

For example, the Bible tells us that King David captured Jerusalem, made it his capital, and built his palace there, no monumental architecture from the period of his reign had been found. This led some researchers to question the importance of David as a historical figure, and of Jerusalem as an influential city. However, in 2005, archaeologists working in the area unearthed the monumental architecture we’d known was there all along. One of our former professors co-authored the article on this magnificent find in Biblical Archaeology Review.

Another example is a discovery published in March of 2006 fundamentally changed our view of the Jewish Revolt which resulted in the destruction of the Temple by the Roman general Titus and his army. Traditional textbooks will say that pressure had been building, but that the revolt was spontaneous in nature. When underground tunnels filled with supplies were discovered in Galilee, it became clear that the Revolt was not spontaneous. People had been carefully and systematically preparing for this revolt for some time.

History can either be exciting and thought-provoking, or it can be dull and lifeless. Our high school experience with ancient history definitely fell into the latter category, and it was’t until years later we discovered what we’d been missing. Our classes are highly visual, filled with the little-known facts and stories that make it exciting to us, and interdisciplinary. While you can study “history” separately from the arts, literature, and archaeology of the selected period, we don’t recommend it. That’s the fastest way to kill your child’s interest in history.

Primary sources are great and a good historical fiction can sure juice up a boring semester, BUT if your study of the ancient world depends on primary sources, you’re only seeing a small part of the picture. While it is popular in many study programs to tout the use of primary sources, historians and archaeologists have recognized for many years that only those leading a life of leisure had the luxury of becoming authors. Just remember when you use them, you’re viewing the ancient world through the eyes of the moneyed elite. If you want to know what the daily life of the average person was like, ask an archaeologist!

Many states now 'require' a world history credit. It makes good sense to complete what is needed on a high school transcript, but to stop at these bare bones minimum of a single 'world history' course will rob your student of an understanding of Western Civilization, literature, culture, politics, law...the list goes on. It is impossible to be adequately prepared for the future unless you are adequately versed in the past.

If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development~Aristotle

Our online classroom provider makes full recordings of our classes (audio and visuals). If you want to register for a workshop but have a scheduled conflict or two, you may request a recording key for the missed class by sending the instructor an email after the class has met. Please specify the class that you missed and your name. Recordings are available for only 7 days after the original air date. We offer these recordings as a courtesy, only. In some circumstances we are unable to generate a recording.

If the workshop covers literature, please read the suggested translation. Beyond suggested readings, workshops carry no requirements. We provide optional online quizzes for our workshops to allow parents to gauge their students retention if they so desire. Students may simply attend, ask questions and enjoy. Class web pages include games, handouts and interesting web links so that students can expand their understanding at their own pace and interest level. We offer a syllabus for each workshop to keep track of topics we discussed. In literature based classes we also offer thought provoking study questions to discuss at home or use as personal writing prompts.

Unlike our workshops, our semester courses carry quite a few requirements and are college preparatory. Expect weekly homework/reading, writing projects, quizzes and tests. Semester classes are a commitment to be taken seriously by both student and parents. They require a high level of responsibility to complete assignments outside of class time (expect an hour to an hour and a half each school day). Live classes meet for only an hour per week. We will cover the core material live and expect students to complete reading, writing, or translation assignments outside of class and submit the work on time. Do not expect instructors to provide time extensions except in cases of family emergencies.

Most home educators realize the value of "education" over hour counting "schooling." Previous generations of Americans were richly and thoroughly educated in the classical world, an emphasis that is now lost in public schools and nearly extinct in private schools. We are providing a service that is not available through conventional means. Many students who have attended our full range of Classical courses have told us that we offer more than the average Classics program at the college level.

Latin and ancient Greek are challenging languages for a number of reasons. Unlike modern spoken languages, these ancient languages must be read and understood at a fast pace. Students will be expected to master around 20 new vocabulary words as well as new verb/noun or pronoun forms each week. They must practice syntax and grammar by translating as much as possible and submit homework on schedule. Expect a weekly quiz for both languages.

To succeed at these courses, a student must have a mature work ethic, a comfortable familiarity with English grammar, and a willingness to ask for help from the instructor if the grammar becomes confusing.

Readiness for the accelerated high school level pace of Lukeion Latin and Lukeion Greek should be carefully evaluated based on these skills. Some students perform beautifully at age 12 while others are still not ready for this type of challenge until they are much older (age 14 or 15). Conversely, due to the 'ageless' nature of an online classroom, we are happy to accept non traditional students: young gifted students and adults are always welcome.

Having a previous background in Latin and Greek is not necessary. A comfortable understanding of English grammar is highly recommended. An excellent way to prepare for either language is a program in sentence diagramming.

There are many programs now available for younger students. In our experience, however, these programs demand a lot of busy work but deliver very little in the way of learning the functional nuts-and-bolts of Classical languages. Students are not generally prepared to master these languages until they have reached the logic stage. You will accomplish much more in a fraction of the time if you wait until your student is 12 to 15 before you start formal instruction in Latin and Greek. Better still, waiting to start these logic based languages may mean your student will enjoy them more.

The assignment that causes the most anxiety for student and parent alike is the research paper assignment. As educators who have taught at the college level, we are convinced that experience writing research papers is the best way to prepare for college. The ability to write a well edited, well researched paper will set your student apart from 90% of their peers who come to college ill-prepared for this task. There is no time like the present. Instructors will provide helps and guidelines for first timers.

We recognize that hiring a tutor for your child in any subject is not cheap. At the Lukeion Project you are hiring a tutor to teach your child the ancient world. We have tried to keep our costs down yet value our classes at a level that will support our instructors who teach full time. We sometimes have a seat available by scholarship. We give preferences to the following groups: missionary families, home educated children of widows/widowers, or families that have suffered a recent severe hardship (hurricane, house fire, etc.). Please contact us directly for more information. Scholarship families must still have access to high speed internet.

If you would like to make a donation toward providing scholarships for missionary families, retired individuals on a fixed income, home educated children of widows, families that have suffered a recent hardship (tragedy, house fire, etc.) you may donate any amount and, if you wish, specify those for whom you would like to provide support. Similarly, you can purchase gift certificates.