The Truth About Classical Conversations: What Parents REALLY Say

When I first sat down to write this, I thought I was going to say, “Classical Conversations is fine, just be ready for more memorization than a kid should probably ever have to remember before breakfast.”

Simple, right? Easy enough. Maybe sprinkle in a few fun anecdotes, add a nod to the Latin chants, and call it a day.

But then… I dove into hundreds of comments online.

[Some links are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.]

And let me tell you, my perspective completely shifted.

Forget the rosy, sanitized reviews you see on glossy homeschool websites—you’re about to get the real deal from parents who have lived it, loved it, hated it, or at least considered throwing their calendars at their walls in frustration.

So, grab your popcorn (or a quiet cup of coffee, I’m not judging), and let’s jump into the truth about Classical Conversations!

The Issues with Classical Conversations

1. Marketing and Director’s Workload

First up, some moms are not fans of the marketing tactics at CC.

Many of the moms suggested that the directors are practically working for minimum wage…

…while the head office is making it rain.

Cue the side-eye. 😏

One mom said:
"The directors’ hands are tied, leaving them liable in many situations."

Translation: Someone’s getting stressed out here, and it’s probably the person juggling lesson plans while negotiating snack schedules.

And here’s the kicker: there are concerns about legalities (tax-free charity status with a business that’s making money…heard this one over and over again in comments), which makes it feel like a law drama from Netflix.

Except, you know, with fewer sharks and more memorization charts.

2. Multi-Level Marketing…

Now, let’s talk about the MLM vibes.

One mom claimed she was invited 100 times to join.

Okay, maybe she was exaggerating… or maybe it’s just CC’s version of a gentle nudge?

Still, when parents feel like they’re being chased for sign-ups like a real estate agent who just learned your phone number, it can feel a little… intense.

3. For-Profit vs Non-Profit Drama

Here’s an interesting point: Classical Conversations is a for-profit organization, but many of the churches that host it are non-profit.

That doesn’t make it wrong or shady—it’s just a setup that can feel a little unusual at first glance.

The program runs as a business, families pay for curriculum and community, but the space you meet in is often a church or other non-profit building.

Some parents have wondered about the legal side of this—after all, can a non-profit host a for-profit business without raising eyebrows?

In a few cases, churches have been cautious, worried about anything that might affect their tax-free status.

For most families, it’s not a problem—the program runs smoothly, kids learn, and the church still has a safe, friendly space for community gatherings.

But it’s worth knowing that this arrangement exists, and some parents notice it and ask questions.

The key takeaway: it works, but being aware of the for-profit/non-profit dynamic helps you understand why it sometimes sparks conversations in forums.

4. The "Buying Friends" Dilemma

One mom dropped this absolute truth bomb:
"If you have to buy friends, they’re not your friends."

Oof. Talk about a reality check.

While some parents feel the price is worth it for the community, others are like: I just want friends who will bring snacks, not invoice me for them.

And honestly?

Can’t argue with that logic.

But, there were a lot of moms who loved having in-build socialization for their kids…and I kinda see that point too. This mom said:

Community is important for homeschooling; I’d say the #1 reason I’ve ever heard of why families quit homeschooling is feeling isolated. After a year or so of getting your feet under you and meeting more homeschooling families, you could decide if you want to continue CC or do something different.

5. Community: The Good, the Bad, and the “I’ll Keep Looking”

Here’s the thing: Classical Conversations is highly dependent on the community and your efforts in it.

If your group is amazing, you’ll love it.

If not… well, it can feel like you’ve signed up for a homeschool version of a bad reality show.

One mom wisely said: If your CC group isn’t good, keep looking for the one that is.

So basically, it’s like dating: sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs before you find your homeschool prince—or at least a decent CC group.

And yes, moms also said that you, the parent, have to put effort in too.

This isn’t a sit-back-and-watch-your-kid-memorize Latin from the comfort of your couch kind of deal.

6. The Cost of Classical Conversations

Ah, yes—the cost.

If you have a big family, you might need to take out a second mortgage (especially in the later years) to afford it.

One mom said they’d never afford it with their five kids.

Another family totaled $70,000 over the years for their five kids.

That’s a price tag that might make you rethink the entire curriculum + community deal.

7. Memorization Overload

Now, let’s talk about memorization, because CC isn’t just about the basics.

It’s about memorizing facts like your kid is prepping for a spelling bee… except it’s history, Latin, and science facts instead of words.

Some parents were all about it, saying: "They remember the facts… but they don’t really understand them."

And, as always, forums delivered the full spectrum:

• Moms who haven’t tried it: scathing critiques.

• Moms who have tried it and felt it didn’t work: heartfelt complaints.

• Moms who tried it and loved it: glowing testimonials.

Checkout what these guys said who hadn’t used it:

But, these moms had done it and understood how it worked:

This comment explained how Classical Conversations (and the classical education method) works in Foundations (or the grammar stage):

The lesson?

Your mileage may vary, and memorization isn’t everyone’s favorite adventure.

I really feel though, you need to understand the classical education method to wrap your head around this topic.

Please, don’t even think about diving into Classical Conversations until you’ve wrapped your head around the grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages of classical education.

A quick way to do that? The Homeschool Parenting Program—basically a crash course for frazzled parents who want to understand how homeschooling actually works without losing their minds. You’ll get the shortcuts, the tips, and yes… all the sanity-saving hacks.

Check it out here, thank me later 😂 (or send me a fruit basket—I’m flexible).

8. Teacher-Led and Teacher-Intensive

One thing’s for sure—CC isn’t an open-and-go curriculum.

It’s teacher-intensive, which means you’ll be involved.

Another mom said: “You have to be committed to do the work at home in order for CC to work for you…the workload is pretty intense.”

One mom mentioned: "I volunteered as a tutor and got a reduced rate."

Sounds amazing… if your dream Saturday involves convincing 10-year-olds that Doric columns are way cooler than Ionic, and that Zeus really didn’t need that thunderbolt that badly. ⚡🏛️

Personally, I take a slightly less heroic curriculum route with BJU Press—my kids basically homeschool themselves.

I get to sip coffee , work a little, and watch them learn independence without me turning into a classical architecture drill sergeant.

Common Questions about Classical Conversations

Is Classical Conversations a cult?

Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room: Is CC a cult?

Some people have heard whispers… maybe over coffee at a homeschool meet-up… that CC is a cult.

Cue the horror movie music. 🎵👀

Here’s the reality: a lot of this idea comes from the cliquy vibe of some groups.

• Some groups are awesome—friendly, welcoming, full of snack-sharing parents and kids who actually like each other.

• Others… not so much. You walk in, and suddenly you feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret society. Parents whispering, kids doing synchronized Latin chants, someone glaring at you because you mispronounced Caesar… and you’re just standing there, wondering if you need a robe and a secret handshake.

So, is it a cult?

No. Not officially, anyway.

But can some groups be so clicky that you feel like you accidentally wandered into a cult meeting?

Absolutely.

Like, “Do I need to memorize the pledge of allegiance to the CC club?” kind of vibe.

The takeaway: your experience will depend 100% on the group you join. Find a welcoming tribe, and you’ll be fine. End up in the ultra-cliquey group… well… bring snacks, a smile, and maybe a tiny emergency escape plan. 😅

So, Should You Go For It?

Now, I know some of you are still thinking,
"Should I try it?"

Honestly, after reading all these comments, I’m a little less enthusiastic than I was. It seems like some moms want to swear by it, and others want to swear at it.

But hey—if you love classical education and have the budget (or the kidney) for it, go for it!

Before you make up your mind, though, make sure you really understand the classical method. Watch this video for a quick and fun intro to classical education.

And if you’re leaning into classical but don’t want to sell your organs, check out this video on other classical programs before you commit.

The Bottom Line

Classical Conversations is not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

It has:

• Pros: robust classical education, strong community, and the chance for your child to memorize like a champ.

• Cons: pricey, teacher-intensive, and highly dependent on your specific community.

So, if you:

• Love classical methods

• Have a supportive CC group

• Can stomach the cost and effort

…then CC might just be for you.

But if you:

• Prefer open-and-go curricula

• Don’t want to spend your days volunteering as a tutor

• Or aren’t ready for a memorization marathon

…there are plenty of other options out there (again, I really like BJU Press) that will give you the classical education without the kidney negotiations.

So, what do you think?

Have you tried Classical Conversations?

Have friends who have?

Or are you just here for the drama?

Comment below and tell me your experiences.

Love to hear them 👍