Why Study Latin?

“Latin is the key to the vocabulary and structure of the Romance languages and to the structure of all the Teutonic languages, as well as to the technical vocabulary of all the sciences and to the literature of the entire Mediterranean civilization, together with all its historical documents.”
–Dorothy Sayers, The National Review

Latin for Success


Studying Latin improves problem-solving abilities, vocabulary, college entrance exam scores.

Latin Improves Problem-Solving Skills

Sixth-grade students in Indianapolis who studied Latin for 30 minutes each day for five months advanced nine months in their math problem-solving abilities. In addition, the students exhibited the following advances in other areas: eight months in world knowledge, one year in reading, thirteen months in language, four months in spelling, five months in science, seven months in social studies.

Latin Improves Vocabulary

In Philadelphia, students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades received 15 to 20 minutes of daily instruction in Latin for one year. The performance of the Latin students was one full year higher on the Vocabulary Subtest of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) than the performance of matched control students who had not studied Latin.

Latin Improves College Entrance Exam Scores

Students who study Latin in high school consistently score higher on the verbal portion of the SAT college entrance exam than both students who have not studied any foreign language and students who have studied other modern foreign languages.

Studies conducted by the Educational Testing Service show that Latin students consistently outperform all other students on the verbal portion of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT).

Keys to Language and Cultural Awareness

The Latin Advantage (and SAT scores)

Why Latin? According to Pope John XXIII
Latin Liturgy Association, Summer 2000