When my wife and I first heard about plans to start an elementary K-8 charter school with a content-based curriculum in Appleton, we were immediately interested in finding out more.  After attending one of the first informational meetings and learning about the Core Knowledge curriculum, we knew that Classical School was going to be a school we would want our children to attend. Since then both of our children have gone to Classical School: my son David joined the school in its first year, graduated from 8th grade in 2006, and is now a college freshman at the Cleveland Institute of Music; my daughter Elizabeth entered the school as a kindergartner and is currently an 8th grader. In 2005, I joined the CCSA Board because I felt that my children were receiving an outstanding elementary school education and I wanted to contribute to the continued success of the Classical School.

I was originally born in England and completed my bachelor’s degree in art history at University College London. I then moved to the United States to attend graduate school at Cornell University, where I completed my master’s and Ph. D. degrees in art history. In 1989, I came to Appleton to join the faculty of Lawrence University. At Lawrence, I teach courses in medieval and Renaissance art history as well as a course in East Asian art. In addition to my interest in art history, I enjoy cross-country skiing and competing in triathlons and bicycle races. My wife, Alyson Chapman, is a physical therapist, a frequent classroom volunteer at Classical School, and an equally keen cross-country skier, triathlete and bicycle racer.