Aequora at Danbury Grassroots Academy

About Our Site and Aequora

Our site is located at Danbury Grassroots Academy in Danbury, Connecticut. Each year, Danbury Grassroots Academy serves 60-65 selected at-risk students from the ages of 8 to 22. It is an academic support system and health program that builds strong, confident young people who are successful in the classroom and in life. Students attend every afternoon for a few hours of reading, math, and time management skills. In addition, DGA helps with the college admissions process and career goals. In the summer, students participate in a tennis and healthy lifestyle program.

 Aequora is a K-8 program focused on literacy via Latin in underserved areas. At Danbury Grassroots Academy, we have chosen Aequora because we believe in the benefits of a classical education. Through The Paideia Institute’s Aequora curriculum, we are improving literacy, cultural understanding, and equity in education — all while making the ancient Mediterranean world fun and accessible to students of all backgrounds.

Led by an independent site coordinator, Aequora envisions the Classics as an inclusive and diverse field. The textbook, Aequora: Teaching Literacy with Latin, introduces basic Latin vocabulary and grammar, Roman culture and mythology, and connections between Latin, English, and Spanish, all through games and activities designed to show students that learning Latin is fun!

How We Teach Aequora

At Danbury Grassroots Academy, we teach Latin in a modern, child-focused, and engaging way- by giving interactive lessons and offering hands-on activities and games. Our on-site coordinator enjoys working with children and loves learning and teaching Latin and Roman history. We meet once a week to read, play, and learn as we provide an introduction to Latin and a deeper understanding of history. 

The Aequora program is run by enthusiastic volunteers all over the country who want to make a difference by sharing their love of Latin to help remedy the existing educational inequality.

Photos

Site Coordinator

Our founder and site coordinator Will is a local high school student.

Will K

×

Will K

Our site coordinator Will is a local high school student. He and his older siblings studied Latin culture and language outside of school for several years. When Will finally had the opportunity to take it in school, he jumped at it. 

Will’s knowledge of Latin earned him a Magna Cum Laude on his level for the National Latin Exam last year. At school, he particularly enjoys studying the history of the Roman Empire. In his DGA classroom, Will likes to incorporate hands-on activities so that the students are learning while they’re having fun.