Announcing Symposium 2026!
Our annual student research conference will take place on September 27, 2026. Submissions must be made by September 1st.
Please visit our Symposium page for more information.
Updated Application Deadline: Due to January 1 falling on a Thursday, we are moving our Priority Application Deadline to Sunday, January 4 to give families time to talk and plan over the weekend!

Testimonials

Testimonials with Attribution

Dear Cindy, I’m just writing to let you know that I’m a senior now, and my first college acceptance came out this December– I’m going to Harvard!!!

Thank you so much for hosting such an amazing trip during my junior year. Getting to study Latin in Rome was truly an invaluable experience, and I even got to speak about some of the things I learned there (like Mussolini’s adaptation of Augustan imagery during Italy’s fascist period) in my college interviews. 

I also really appreciate that Calder Classics provides scholarships to Prep for Prep students. Without your generosity, I wouldn’t have been able to attend this amazing program!

Zoe, Prep for Prep Scholar, Reading Latin in Rome

Workshopping with a small group of people in one of the most inspirational cities in the world was truly a great experience. Our reading selection consisted of fantastic stories and excerpts by writers ranging from Dante to Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I especially loved seeing the themes we read about appear in our art trips (e.g. the theme of an underdog and then seeing Michelangelo’s David).

Nick, student, Creative Writing, Florence

My time in Florence was an intellectually and culturally enriching experience. Exploring the city every morning (a trip to the Palazzo Strozzi to see works by Verrcocchio and da Vinci was particularly exciting) and returning in the afternoon to a structured academic environment afforded us both intellectual rigor and an immersive travel experience. I had a fantastic time writing, reading, making friends, and becoming familiar with the Florentine world.

Edie, student, Creative Writing, Florence

I had taken one year of Greek, so for me the purpose of this trip was really to reinforce the existing foundations in grammar. But unexpectedly, with all due credit to our professors, Calder Classics has given me so much more: it has given me the tools to be able to read Greek fluently. So thanks, teachers. You will both prove to be influential in my progress as a student and a classicist, and my words do no justice to the gratitude welling from the bottom of my heart. I love this program, and will definitely come back someday! 

Andre, student, Introduction to Ancient Greek

Calder Classics was not just your typical high school summer program. On this trip, not only did my Latin improve immensely but we were immersed in a new culture. We had the chance to visit Etruscan tombs, talk to real life Italians and try new foods such as cinghiale (wild boar). It was especially interesting to see Charon depicted on the tomb walls whom we had just read about in the Aeneid. We got through a lot of lines everyday in Latin and English. Cindy was very helpful and I now feel a lot more confident reading Vergil on my own. This was definitely the highlight of my summer and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a unique and enriching experience!

Lyris, student, Journeys to the Underworld, Tuscany

The Greek summer program [in Tuscany] with Calder Classics was an incredible combination of studying and sight seeing. Having personally never been to Europe before this program, to see the legacies and reception of the Roman, Greek and Etruscan cultures firsthand in both the countryside and cities of Italy breathed an illuminating force upon the texts we were translating and discussing daily. In this way, the ancient words on the pages of our books came to life for me and have now left a lasting impression to further inspire me towards a career in the field of Classics.

Eric, student, Journeys to the Underworld, Tuscany

Translating the Aeneid Book 6, Eclogue 4 and other esteemed texts, while visiting historic sites and towns and examining artistic masterpieces on the Tuscany Program, has entirely changed my approach to Latin studies and miraculously animated a dead language.

Maude, student, Journeys to the Underworld, Tuscany

I have such a strong passion for Classics and I honestly owe it to you and your program. I still follow the Calder Classics Instagram and I love seeing the fun things the kids are doing. I have such fond memories of my time with you in Florence. I am reminded every day of the texts that we read in our little villa in Florence.

Sarah, student, Reading Latin in Florence

I’m an alum of Calder’s Latin & Greek programs. I returned as a chaperone/assistant teacher. Attending my first Calder Classics class “Latin and Volcanoes” was such a wonderful dive into the overlap between Science and Classics. Calder Classics inspired me to continue studying both disciplines in college! After graduating with degrees in Ancient Greek and Biology I am now a science researcher, but I owe so much to the skills I learned through Classics for building me up as a researcher.

Aulden, Stanford, Bay of Naples, Tuscany, & Florence

I’m an alum of Calder Classics Florence, Rome, and Tuscany programs. I’m a sophomore Classics and Religion major at UChicago studying Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit. The Calder travel programs motivated me to keep studying ancient literature by letting me connect texts with tangible places and art. (I also met my best friend in college through the Tuscany program!).

Erin, Student, Reading Latin, Florence, Rome and Tuscany,

I am an alum of Calder Classics in Florence, and I returned later as a chaperone. I attribute my decision to pursue a degree in Classical Civilization to the experience I had with Calder in Florence where I learned how the study of Classics isn’t just words in a textbook but can be immersive with references throughout society. The friends you make in Calder Classics programs not only share your interests but make the trip a life-long memory that you’ll talk about forever.

Matthew, Student, Reading Latin, Florence

I’m an alum of Calder Classics and now a senior at Harvard College studying Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Classics and pursuing medicine after graduation. My journey towards medicine was and continues to be indelibly shaped by my study of Classics, which began with my Calder Classics program almost six years ago.

Maddie, Student, Reading Latin, Florence

I have such a strong passion for Classics and I honestly owe it to you and your program. I still follow the Calder Classics Instagram and I love seeing the fun things the kids are doing. I have such fond memories of my time with you in Florence. I am reminded every day of the texts that we read in our little villa in Florence.

Sarah, student, Reading Latin in Florence

Testimonials for specific programs without attribution

Dear Cindy, I’m just writing to let you know that I’m a senior now, and my first college acceptance came out this December– I’m going to Harvard!!!

Thank you so much for hosting such an amazing trip during my junior year. Getting to study Latin in Rome was truly an invaluable experience, and I even got to speak about some of the things I learned there (like Mussolini’s adaptation of Augustan imagery during Italy’s fascist period) in my college interviews. 

I also really appreciate that Calder Classics provides scholarships to Prep for Prep students. Without your generosity, I wouldn’t have been able to attend this amazing program!

Zoe, Prep for Prep Scholar, Reading Latin in Rome

The Calder programs in the past have supplemented our students’ language practice in very meaningful ways.

School Feedback

I am an alum of Calder Classics in Florence and I returned later as a chaperone. I attribute my decision to pursue a degree in Classical Civilization to the experience I had with Calder in Florence where I learned how the study of Classics isn’t just words in a textbook but can be immersive with references throughout society. The friends you make in Calder Classics programs not only share your interests but make the trip a life-long memory that you’ll talk about forever.

M.H., NYU

Thanks Cindy, my daughter is having an unforgettable time with Calder Classics! So happy we found you.

Parent, Rome + Bay of Naples

I’m writing to say thank you for hosting my son for a very special week last week. He really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. It seems like it was just the right speed and the environment was relaxing and summer-like. We are thrilled that he had this time to branch out and focus on something creative surrounded by interesting and warm adults and kids.

Parent, Homeric Storytelling in Essex

Thank you, Calder Classics, for providing our daughter with a memorable summer experience of three interrelated components: language, culture and fun.  She returned with newfound confidence in her Latin skills and has begun a new semester reading from prose and verse authors with ease.  The engaging activities and friendships she established from this unique learning and personal growth adventure will not soon be forgotten.” –

Parent, Reading Latin in Florence and Rome

This program helped ignite my daughter’s love of Latin. We are very happy she was part of the summer Calder Classics program! She also was in charge of the Instagram page- creating small roles for the students while they are away is also a great added experience.

Parent, Reading Latin in Florence

I am a firm believer that happy kids love to learn, especially when they are in an environment surrounded by great educators and other enthusiastic students. My daughter loved your program. The photos and updates you sent home were priceless and she enjoyed the small intimate group. These kids will be friends for a long time.

Parent, Reading Latin in Florence and Introduction to Greek in Thessaloniki

Our daughter went on two Calder Classics summer trips (to Italy and Greece). We were very happy with the program. The combination of travel and study was the right balance for her.  Her program both summers was very small, 7-9 kids. That was the bonus for us as parents. Traveling in a small group felt safer, and from an academic perspective she had more individual attention.

Parent, Reading Latin in Florence and Introduction to Greek in Thessaloniki

In a visceral way, I connected with the past and really understood the significance of where we were and how what we build and write really serves as our lock against oblivion.

Student, Creative Writing, Florence

I was in the spring break program in Rome for March 2023. It was an incredible experience and I am grateful to the program as I would have never imagined myself learning about Roman culture, seeing Latin roots in Italian words, and improving my Latin, in Rome itself.

Student, Reading Latin,  Rome

I would highly recommend any Calder Classic trip for motivated students who wish to have an immersive and unique educational experience!

Student, Reading Latin and Journeys to the Underworld.

It wasn’t until the Calder Classics Latin Program in Florence that I realized that Classics is the best way for an artist to ground his interests in academics. Art, culture, and the origin of the Romance languages come together in one program that is by far the only summer course I would consider returning to again. I recommend Calder Classics for those who want to challenge their intellect and immerse themselves in new experiences.

Student, Reading Latin, Florence

I had an amazing time in Florence this summer with Calder Classics.  The program was a great mix of academic Latin and cultural immersion.  I made so many great friends from across the country and saw buildings and statues that we had read about in my Latin class at school.  I loved the experience of reading Latin in the morning and then seeing either, artwork that the texts inspired, or the geological areas by which it was inspired, in the afternoon.

Student, Reading Latin, Florence

Calder Classics is an amazing experience that greatly improved my translation skills and added to the wonder of the city of Florence. Exploring the city and seeing some of the most beautiful art that exists was the highlight of my summer, especially because it was with such a great group of people. The teachers are fantastic, and I would recommend the program to all.

Student, Reading Latin, Florence

Online Course Testimonials

  1. Such a great experience! I got to be more confident and comfortable in translating and got to broaden my interest by having a wonderful teacher and learning awesome things!
  2. Customizable pace, a welcoming and safe environment to ask questions, and fun and enthusiastic teacher!
  3. The content! This class was exactly what I needed for AP prep. Also the time commitment was perfect for balancing school and Latin.
  4. Reading Latin: Vergil, Caesar, and Livy + AP Prep provided me with much needed grammar review in a clear and exciting way. I learned so much more than I could have ever imagined in such a short period of time, and I wouldn’t trade my Ccalder time for anything. Even though we were online, we were still able to make friends from all over the world through a love of classics and learning.
  5. I cannot thank Calder Classics enough for a splendid month this summer. I took two Reading Latin courses: Constructing Memory and Raise a Toast to Wining and Dining. They each offered something different but were equally fascinating. Even reading some of the same authors (Vergil, Catullus, Horace, Ovid) and looking at the same artists (Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Vasari) brought new insights the second time around, since the theme of each class was well defined yet broad. The online format worked well, I thought–obviously, we’d all rather be in Florence, but in some ways meeting remotely increased the possibilities of what we could read and see. Actually, my art history teacher really was in Florence, and made a tremendous effort to immerse us in the culture, knowledge, and landscape around her. All of the teachers were more than willing to stay late or come early to class to make sure we, the students, felt fully confident about our translations and interpretations of the material at hand. I’ve been given a wonderful toolkit of terminology, literary, artistic, and historical; directions for dissecting relevant words, images, and ideas; and pure enthusiasm for reaching into corners of my mind and of the world I never knew existed. From these courses, I have learned how to critically engage with nonverbal as well as verbal information, and to try and find each within the other. So, I think I finally have an answer to the age-old question as to which is superior, art or literature: both!
  6. My Calder Classics experience was amazing, my teacher was super nice and very helpful! I learned a lot about Augustan Rome and read many interesting authors. Although I wish we had been able to actually go to Rome, I really enjoyed my experience!
  7. Calder Classics Rome in Absentia provided an informative and fun virtual experience where I was able to study Latin and pretend to travel to Rome right from my bedroom.
  8. Absolutely wonderful. Calder makes the best poets from the Latin Golden Age incredibly accessible. Here you mingle with them and glimpses through their eyes.
  9. I liked the diversity. Usually classics courses focus on one author, one work– focusing on one theme is a great change of flavor.
  10. I really enjoyed the Art History portion of the course which I have never taken before. It was really valuable to have a teacher who is actually in Florence and could (virtually) take us to certain places. It made not being in Italy slightly better. Despite all the pandemic obstacles in the way, Calder Classics was able to adapt and deliver an incredible online program that taught me so much!
  11. This class was a great way to help me feel confident when reading and translating Latin.
  12. Classes are very interactive and fun, great way to enjoy the summer with some people while learning at the same time!
  13. I think that Calder Classics is a great program for over the summer. I was clearly learning and improving my Latin, but I had so much fun both with the reading materials and the art history classes we paired with our reading, that it never really felt like a class, it was just a fun way to learn more about the Latin language and surrounding culture!
  14. Throughout my weeks with Calder Classics, I was able to experience a wide variety of classics related topics in an engaging and interesting way. The teachers and materials were amazing and definitely furthered my knowledge and interest in the classics moving forward.

Student Profiles

Dear Cindy, I’m just writing to let you know that I’m a senior now, and my first college acceptance came out this December– I’m going to Harvard!!!

Thank you so much for hosting such an amazing trip during my junior year. Getting to study Latin in Rome was truly an invaluable experience, and I even got to speak about some of the things I learned there (like Mussolini’s adaptation of Augustan imagery during Italy’s fascist period) in my college interviews. 

I also really appreciate that Calder Classics provides scholarships to Prep for Prep students. Without your generosity, I wouldn’t have been able to attend this amazing program!

Zoe, Prep for Prep Scholar, Reading Latin in Rome

“I’m an alum of Calder’s Latin & Greek programs. I returned as a chaperone/assistant teacher. Attending my first Calder Classics class “Latin and Volcanoes” was such a wonderful dive into the overlap between Science and Classics. Calder Classics inspired me to continue studying both disciplines in college! After graduating with degrees in Ancient Greek and Biology I am now a science researcher, but I owe so much to the skills I learned through Classics for building me up as a researcher.”

A.F., Stanford

“I’m an alum of Calder Classics Florence, Rome, and Tuscany programs. I’m a sophomore Classics and Religion major at UChicago studying Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit. The Calder travel programs motivated me to keep studying ancient literature by letting me connect texts with tangible places and art. (I also met my best friend in college through the Tuscany program!)

E.C., UChicago

“I am an alum of Calder Classics in Florence, and I returned later as a chaperone. I attribute my decision to pursue a degree in Classical Civilization to the experience I had with Calder in Florence where I learned how the study of Classics isn’t just words in a textbook but can be immersive with references throughout society. The friends you make in Calder Classics programs not only share your interests but make the trip a life-long memory that you’ll talk about forever.”

M.H., NYU

“I’m an alum of Calder Classics and now a senior at Harvard College studying Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Classics and pursuing medicine after graduation. My journey towards medicine was and continues to be indelibly shaped by my study of Classics, which began with my Calder Classics program almost six years ago…”

M.M., Harvard