St. Mary of the Hills School Offers New Latin Program For Middle School Students

MILTON — Principal Suzanne Banach is pleased to share that St. Mary of the Hills School is offering a new program for students for the 2024-25 school year.

This year, a Latin program is being offered for the first time to middle school students in grades 6-8. Students now have the choice to decide to take Latin or Spanish as a language requirement, and over a dozen students have enrolled in the course.

Students are guided through Latin language concepts with Memoria Press’ “First Form Latin” text series. They are also reading “Lingua Latina,” a series of classical short stories in the language.

The course is taught by educator Ryan Farrell, who also teaches religion in the middle school and has a background in classical languages.

Farrell was formerly the Director of Faith Formation for grades 6-10 at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, the collaborative of St. Mary of the Hills School and St. Elizabeth’s Parish.

While Latin is no longer the native language of any community, it is still spoken and learned today. The benefits of Latin education extend beyond gaining proficiency in another language. A foundational knowledge of Latin concepts can reinforce understanding of English grammar rules and syntax, among other benefits.

Latin is also particularly useful at St. Mary of the Hills, as students learn Latin hymns, prayers, and musical texts. While Mass is spoken in English at the school, Latin is an important foundation for Catholic rituals.

Farell shared that understanding the Latin language unlocks a new world of texts, culture, and history.

“Once students gain some grasp of the language, there is a treasure trove of Latin texts in the classical world, in Roman poetry and prose, and even religious texts,” Farrell said. “Many of these works have never been translated to English and remain in their true untapped form. Allowing students to access a new understanding of culture and history is a rewarding process, and I’m looking forward to the progress I will see this year.”

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