In this episode of Hoplite Radio, we sit down with parent volunteers, Wendy Rankin and Stevie Daigneault to learn more about our annual fundraiser, Numis Night, and the Numis Committee that pulls this event together each year. Mrs. Rankin and Mrs. Daigneault share how Ridgeview Classical Schools’ biggest annual fundraiser grew into a can’t-miss community tradition that not only brings families together, but also funds real, visible improvements for students. Projects like playground upgrades, performing arts renovations, emergency classroom kits, outdoor program gear, and this year’s new upper school lockers. We talk honestly about why a single, parent-led gala works better than constant school fundraisers, how volunteering and book groups helped them find their people. Learn what makes the Numis dinner so much fun, from the themed attire and teacher experiences to the live and online auctions. You’ll also get a preview of this year’s celebration at Windsong Estate Event Center and simple ways to participate even if you can’t attend. The Numis dinner is a fundamental part of Ridgeview’s culture, supporting the classical education mission, and the powerful role of parent involvement.

In this episode, Headmaster Anderson reflects on how Christmas offers renewal in a world often marked by monotony and acedia. Drawing on classical thinkers, Scripture, and beloved works of art, music, and literature, he explores how the season invites us to see one another with dignity, rekindle joy, and embrace a deeper sense of generosity and wonder. Through traditions, storytelling, and shared celebration, Christmas becomes more than preparation—it becomes participation in what is good, beautiful, and humanizing. This uplifting reflection encourages families and listeners to slow down, be present, and rediscover the true magnificence of the holiday.

In this episode, we sit down with Mrs. Carvalho, our Outdoor Education Coordinator, and Mr. Lautenschlager, a Ridgeview parent, to discuss the growth and impact of Ridgeview’s Outdoor Program. They share their backgrounds, what brought them to Ridgeview, and how the program has evolved over the past decade. Together, we explore the benefits of time spent in nature, how outdoor experiences support student fitness, character, and academic growth, and why these trips complement our classical curriculum. We also highlight the value of parent participation on trips and why the program is meaningful for all students, not just those who consider themselves outdoorsy.

00:06:30 – Outdoor Education and Classical Education Working Together
00:16:00 – Why Outdoor Education Matters in Northern Colorado
00:19:30 – The Lasting Impact of Outdoor Education at Ridgeview

Eat too much, drag out the board games and the cards; throw the football in the yard until your fingers are numb with cold, and the let the young ones play in the piles of leaves. Build a fire, grab an old novel, put up your feet, and rejoice in the material and immaterial abundance by which you are surrounded. Enjoy your turkey, your family, and friends in good cheer and good company. Realize the myth and revel in gratitude, charity, and hope.

In this episode of Hoplite Radio, Ridgeview Classical Schools welcomes longtime college advisor Mrs. Dixon, who reflects on her 11 years guiding students through the ever-changing college admissions landscape. Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Dixon discuss how college advising has evolved—from the growing complexity of admissions and rising tuition costs to shifting student priorities and the role of values in higher education. Mrs. Dixon shares insights on helping students find the right college “fit,” balancing academics with self-discovery, and preparing for life after graduation. A must-listen for parents and students navigating today’s college admissions process and seeking practical, classical wisdom for the modern world.

In the early 1930s, R.G. Collingwood, a prominent intellectual at Pembroke College, Oxford was concerned about the rise of Nazism and its implications for Britain and Europe, and borrowing a line from Book V of Livy’s Histories, he compared himself to the sacred geese dedicated to Juno in Rome that had warned of a surprise Gallic attack in 390 BC. He wrote in his autobiography in 1939, “I am a professorial goose, and my job is to honk.”

Curious about Ridgeview Classical Schools? In this episode, Mrs. Robideaux asks Mr. Anderson some of the most frequently asked questions from prospective parents and students. From Ridgeview’s classical education model to how the lottery works, this conversation offers an inside look at what makes Ridgeview distinct. Whether you’re exploring school options, preparing for enrollment, or simply want to understand how Ridgeview develops the whole student, this episode provides valuable insight straight from the source.

Topics covered include:

• What defines a classical education
• How Ridgeview supports students academically and personally
• School culture, expectations, and family involvement

Tune in to learn more about the mission, values, and vision behind Ridgeview Classical Schools.

Charlie Kirk. Born in 1993 outside of Chicago, Illinois. Married in 2021. Two children. Founder of a political and religious advocacy group. Toured college campuses debating political opponents in an open forum. Hosted a podcast. Judging by those now celebrating his death, to include elected officials and political appointees, one would expect his biography to read more like this: “participant at the Wannsee Conference, officer of the Schutzstaffel, architect of the Final Solution on the Question of the Jewish Problem, and facilitator of extermination camps.”

We recently caught up with alumnus Gavin Steed (Class of 2023) to hear about life after Ridgeview. What began with email updates to Mr. Anderson grew into a meaningful conversation about Gavin’s journey—what it means to be a Ridgeview “lifer,” how he chose his college path, the ways he found community on campus, and how Ridgeview prepared him for the adventures ahead.