Our Mission
St. Edmund Campion Academy was founded on the principal that a quality, Christ centered Catholic education that properly prepares children to follow their vocations should not be so expensive that it encourages families to limit the number of children they welcome from God.
At Campion we live this mission every day by first and foremost focusing on the spiritual development of our students. We firmly believe that a student who is focused on following God’s voice and fulfilling the vocation they are called to in this life will achieve more meaningful success both academically and personally. While this success may not manifest in high paying jobs or temporal success it is out belief that it will manifest in the salvation of the student’s soul, which is ultimately the only metric that matters.
Our History
St. Edmund Campion Academy was founded in 1997 in Mt. Healthy, OH(north of Cincinnati) by a group of lay Catholics. The founders were called to provide a complete, Catholic, classical education to students in the Cincinnati region with a commitment to making that education affordable for large families. The Academy relocated to the Oakley in 2002 to provide a more central location. We relocated a second time in 2016 to Fairfax taking residence in the former St. Margaret of Cortona school building. Finally relocating to Sacred Heart School in Camp Washington in 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Grades do you offer?
We offer grades one through twelve. Grades in the elementary school are group in sets of two (i.e. First and Second grade share a classroom.) This grouping provides greater latitude for teachers to help students who are a little behind while still challenging advanced students.
Do you offer kindergarten or preschool options?
One of the most important times in a child’s life is their early formative years, before the first grade. We firmly believe that these years should be spent in a home setting, learning the deeply human skills of empathy and understanding rather than focusing on early childhood education. The modern emphasis on very early childhood education has contributed to the over emphasis on academic advancement to the detriment of the spiritual and personal development of children.
Do you accept state or federal funds?
At Campion our academic model focuses on the spiritual as well as the academic development of our students. After more than a quarter century we have come to understand the value of a classical curriculum not just in the modern sense of studying classics but also in the sense of using classical education methods and texts. These more traditional academic approaches would not be possible given state requirements to qualify for grants and educational funding.
St. Edmund Campion is the Patron of our school and a shining example of God's call to those gifted with education.
Who is St. Edmund Campion
Before becoming a Roman Catholic Priest Edmund Campion was a rising star in the English academic world. His rhetorical skill was put on display during his time at St. John's College Oxford to entertain Elizabeth I Queen of England and Head of the Anglican Church. His career and prospects were enhanced by the patronage for Robert Cecil and the Earl of Leicester. Campion's renown continued to grow and he was made a deacon in the church of England before doubt set in and altered his path permanently. When Campion returned to Catholicism he was forced to flee Ireland, where he had relocated to study and write, by the growing ferocity of the English oppression of Catholicism. After leaving Ireland Campion joined the growing number of English Catholic refugees at Douai in France intent on becoming a Catholic priest and returning to his beloved England to offer the Sacraments and succor of Holy Mother Church to those Catholics still living under the Anglican oppression. Campion joined the Jesuits and started his long journey back to England. Campion taught at the college of Prague and was ordained while assigned there in 1578. Campion was among the first members of the Jesuit order selected for the English mission and departed for his home country in 1580. Campion's time in England was short but eventful. Campion penned several widely circulated rebuttals to the Anglican decent from Catholicism most famously his "Ten Reasons" and "Brag". The Brag was intended to serve as his last witness should he be captured by the priest hunters but was published early sparking one of the most extensive manhunts in English history. Eventually Campion was captured by priest hunters and when he refused substantial inducements to denounce his faith he was tortured and forced to participate in show debates. After repeated attempts to break him physically and spiritually failed to separate Campion from his faith the Crown sentenced him to death on the charge of treason for being a Catholic priest. On December first fifteen eighty one Campion was hung, drawn and quartered at Tyburn enshrining him as a martyr for the Catholic faith. Campion was canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI as one of forty Martyrs of England and Wales, his feast day is December first.