Originally published at Orange County Catholic
IT’S SILENT READING TIME in the administrative area known as The Commons at the Camino School, Orange County’s first K-8 Catholic classical school that opened last September.
The independent school – recognized by the Diocese of Orange but operating independently – is big on introducing students to literature and poetry as soon as they can read.
One third-grade girl, dressed in a uniform of crisp white blouse and blue plaid skirt, is immersed in a book about the medieval mythological character of King Arthur. Another is tackling Roald Dahl’s “Matilda.”
KRIZIA LIQUIDO SHARES WHY SHE PREFERS THE CAMINO SCHOOL OVER HOMESCHOOLING FOR HER DAUGHTER, LANE. PHOTO BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
In a downstairs classroom at the school, which rents space from a Presbyterian church in Old Town Tustin, a half-dozen first- and second-graders greet visitors by saying, in unison, “Good morning, dear guests, and may God bless you.”
Then they launch into a spirited recital of a poem they memorized, “America for Me,” Henry Van Dyke’s patriotic take on America written in the late 19th century. They’ve already memorized nearly 10 poems.
“Our school is idea for young families who are serious about their faith and want to
