Cair Paravel-Latin School (commonly Cair Paravel or CPLS) is a coeducational, non-profit, interdenominational Christian private school in Topeka, Kansas, United States. CPLS offers a Classical Christian education for students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. The school is a member of the Association of Classical Christian Schools.

Founded in 1980, Cair Paravel-Latin School is located in the former Clay Elementary School building. Constructed in 1926 in the Tudor style, it was designed by architects Thomas Wilson Williamson and Ted Greist, who later designed the Perpendicular Gothic-styled Topeka High School. Cair Paravel did not move into this building until after its first few years located at various Christian churches located in Topeka. The earliest faculty consisted of students' parents who took an interest in education beyond common secular themes.

The name, Cair Paravel, honors C.S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia, series of Christian-themed children's novels. "Cair Paravel" is a castle in the series that represents the courage, purity and faithfulness that is found in the series' four young main characters. In 1988, Cair Paravel merged with Topeka Latin School, another private Christian school in Topeka, and integrated "Latin" into the school name. At the time of the merger, C.S. Lewis' literature, Christian apologetics and Latin were a significant part of the academics. Latin came secondary only to such literature as "The Blue Fairy Book", Mark Twain and Christian scriptural studies.

Academics

CPLS sign and bell from the original Clay Elementary School

Fine Arts

Drama and Musical Performance

Each spring, students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to participate in a full-length dramatic production. Each fall, students in grades 9-12 put on a full-length musical production, with performances spanning two weekends.

Choir, Choral, and Fine Arts

Choir is an elective class for students in grades 9-12. Students perform at the spring, fall and Christmas music concerts and participate in the MAACS (Mid-America Association of Christian Schools) competition each spring.

The school's premier high school choral group is known as the Madrigals. Candidates are chosen by audition.

As a member of MAACS (Mid-America Association of Christian Schools), CPLS participates each spring in an academic and fine arts competition held at Tri-City Christian School in Independence, Missouri. Categories include: choral performances, vocal and instrumental performances, dramatic readings, expository readings, art competition and academic testing.

Athletics

The 2006 CPLS boys soccer team won the KCAA (Kansas Christian Athletic Association) state tournament.^[2] This championship topped off a stellar 11-3 regular season.^[3]

The school has numerous teams.

The soccer team has won the KCAA state tournament in six of the last eight years, including five straight titles from 2000 to 2004.^[4] The Lions also finished second in 2005 and 2007. From 2003 to 2006, CPLS compiled an astounding 44-17-4 record.^[5]

In 2007, the 2007 CPLS football team completed their best season in school history, finishing 10- 0.

The 2006 CPLS Lady Lions finished their season with a 20-9 record and a second place finish in the KCAA Tournament.

In addition to these teams, CPLS has both a golf and a basketball program.

External links

• Cair Paravel-Latin School website
• Association of Classical Christian Schools website

References

1. ↑ CP-LS Literature
2. ↑ CPLS Athletics
3. ↑ CPLS Athletics
4. ↑ Cair Paravel earns fifth KCAA title | Topeka Capital-Journal, The | Find Articles at BNET.com
5. ↑ CPLS Athletics

Bibliography

• United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places submission for Topeka High School, Shawnee County, Kansas, (22 April 2005)
• Gone But Not Forgotten: The Lost Schools of Topeka, Shawnee County Historical Society, Bulletin Number 67, pp 52-53, November 1990.