Classics Department | The Hill School

The Classics department is, strictly speaking, a "language" department offering elementary and advanced courses in Latin and Greek for the successful fulfillment of The Hill School language requirement. Moreover, the department is keenly aware that these two languages constitute the verbal repository and mirror of two important civilizations that have had a profound influence upon our own Western culture.

To guide the student to experience language in its cultural context is the primary mission of the department. Through our extensive technological resources and our long-standing tradition of academic excellence, courses at all levels are tailored to bring into sharp relief the debt we owe to our past.

At the beginning levels, importance is placed on developing the habits of accurate analysis and understanding the fundamentals of morphology, syntax, and vocabulary. As the student progresses through readings, increasingly less adapted until original texts can be read, the emphasis shifts to a cultural assessment of historical and social contexts together with an appreciation of literary styles and themes. We endeavor to develop skills of clear thinking, memory, analysis, understanding, and self-expression. Ideally these skills lead ultimately to the plausible and justified interpretations of classical literature and to an awareness of their relevance to the human condition in our own time.

For more information about the Classics Department, please contact Dr. Melissa Toomey, Isaac Thomas Chair of Classics, at melissatoomey@thehill.org.

Hill School Classics instructor holding a book and talking to four students in a classroom

Meet Our Instructors

The Department currently consists of three veteran educators, each with more than 15+ years of teaching experience. Each instructor can teach every course within the Classics Department's curriculum. Additionally, Mr. Ciraolo has authored a Latin textbook, formerly the standard high school text for Cicero's Pro Caelio speech.

Stephen Ciraolo

Athey Family Master Teacher of Classics and Albert Whitaker Master Teacher of Latin
B.A. Cornell University
M.A. Villanova University

Melissa Toomey, Ph.D.

Isaac Thomas Chair of Classics
B.A. College of The Holy Cross
Ph.D. Johns Hopkins University

Edward Turner

Athey Family Master Teacher of Classics
B.A. College of The Holy Cross
M.A. Villanova University

Other Opportunities for Study

Hill Classical Review

The Hill Classical Review is a student-run Classics journal which publishes original research in the areas of classical philology, history, society, religion, philosophy, and cultural/material studies related to Greek or Roman literature or culture. Submissions are open to all high school students. Learn more about the Hill Classical Review.

Read the latest edition of the Hill Classical Review

Spring Break Trip

Our teachers and our curriculum aren't locked in time. We understand the value of travel to whet a young person's appetite to seek adventure, learn about other cultures - current and ancient - enjoy local and international cuisine and customs.

Hill School Classics and Humanities students are all invited to experience the Spring Classical and Humanities tour during spring break, led by Dr. Henry V. Bender, Chair of Hill Classics and Humanities Departments Emeritus. Dr. Bender's trips are unforgettable and Hill is lucky to be able to offer such a transformative experience.