Why Latin Is One of the Best Academic Investments You Can Make

Parents often ask whether Latin is truly worth the time in a modern education. The short answer is yes—and not only for cultural reasons. Research consistently shows that studying Latin strengthens vocabulary, reading comprehension, and standardized test performance, particularly on the SAT and ACT.

At Innovate Academy, Latin is not an “extra.” It is a foundation that supports nearly every other subject our scholars study—and one they will continue to use long after graduation.

Latin and Test Performance

Studies highlighted by classical education organizations, including the Association of Classical Christian Schools, show a strong relationship between Latin study and higher verbal scores. Scholars with multiple years of Latin routinely outperform national averages on the SAT’s Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections.

The reason is simple: Latin is the root system of English. Educational researchers estimate that:

• roughly 60% of English vocabulary is derived from Latin,

• and up to 80% of Romance-language vocabulary shares Latin roots.

When a scholar knows that bene means good, contra means against, and dict relates to speaking, unfamiliar words like benediction or contradict suddenly make sense. Tests—and textbooks—become far less intimidating.

Latin in the Real World

Latin is not confined to an old grammar book. It is woven into the world our scholars encounter every day.

• Medicine & Science: Doctors discuss the femur and vertebrae; biologists classify life as homo sapiens or canis lupus; prescriptions include phrases like ante cibum. Understanding Latin roots helps future nurses, doctors, and researchers decode complex terminology.

• Law & Civics: Our legal system relies on expressions such as habeas corpus, pro bono, and prima facie. Even the motto on our nation’s seal—E pluribus unum—is Latin.

• Architecture & Public Life: Roman numerals mark buildings, clocks, and monuments. University seals proclaim Veritas or Lux et Veritas. Cemeteries, museums, and courthouses are filled with Latin inscriptions.

• Faith & the Arts: Historic hymns, prayers, and church architecture preserve Latin phrases, while paintings and sculptures are titled Pax, Justitia, or Fortuna. Literature from Dante to Shakespeare echoes the language as well.

For scholars, Latin becomes a key that unlocks hospitals, laboratories, museums, churches, and civic spaces. The world becomes more readable.

Training the Mind

Latin also trains habits of careful thinking. The language is precise; meaning depends on endings, word order, and logical relationships. Translating even a short sentence requires attention and perseverance. Those skills transfer directly to:

• reading challenging literature,

• following scientific explanations,

• learning additional languages, and

• writing with clarity.

Whether a scholar becomes an engineer, entrepreneur, pastor, or artist, the ability to decode complex language is a lifelong advantage.

A Gift That Grows With Them

Perhaps the greatest benefit of Latin is that it multiplies future learning. Scholars who study Latin early find it far easier to learn Spanish, French, Italian, or Portuguese later on. The first language is always the hardest; Latin becomes a bridge to many others.

At Innovate Academy, we see these benefits every day: stronger readers, more confident writers, and scholars who are not afraid of big ideas. Latin is not about returning to the past—it is about preparing young people for the future.

Interested in how Latin fits into our Classical • Christian • Collaborative program?
Visit our campus and talk with our teachers about the difference this study can make for your scholar.