Ascanius
The Youth Classics Institute
Supporting education and innovation.
Ascanius: The Youth Classics Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the knowledge of and inspiring lifelong learning about Latin, Greek, and the ancient Greco-Roman world, especially at the elementary and middle school levels.
Since 2000, we have served hundreds of students and teachers on the east coast, west coast, and many places in between. We encourage today's youth to think critically about ancient societies and compare them to their daily life in the modern world.
Ascanius Highlights
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Grant Application Deadline
March 30th and October 30th
Want to apply for one of our Latin grants?
The deadline will be here before you know it. Fill out your application today so you don’t miss out.Click below to read more!
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79th Annual ACL Institute
June 29 - July 1, 2026
Come join us at the 79th Annual American Classical League Institute in Williamsburg, Virginia!
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Ascanius!
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Free Greek Mythology Simulation Game
Check out our FREE Greek Mythology Simulation Game (resources found on the last slide) that you can use in the classroom OR your students can take into the community!
Ascanius offers a library of free, classroom-ready resources designed especially for elementary and middle school teachers. From engaging lesson plans and creative activities to printable materials and enrichment ideas, these resources are built to make Latin and the Classical world accessible, interactive, and fun for young learners. Ascanius provides practical tools teachers can use right away at no cost for those introducing Latin for the first time or adding variety to an existing curriculum
Ascanius offers a range of grants designed to support teachers, students, and schools in building and expanding access to Latin and the Classical world at the elementary and middle school levels. Our grants provide both financial support and encouragement to bring your ideas to life; they can help with launching a new program, enhancing an existing one, creating engaging classroom projects, or pursuing professional development. From small classroom initiatives to larger, long-term programs, Ascanius is committed to helping educators inspire the next generation of Classical learners.
Ascanius regularly participates in conferences, workshops, and community events to connect with teachers, students, and supporters of Latin and the Classics. These events are a great opportunity to learn more about our programs, explore our materials, and meet others passionate about bringing the ancient world to life. We invite you to stop by, say hello, and discover new ways to inspire your students!
Your donation to Ascanius helps bring the ancient world to life for the next generation of students. We fund impactful grants, create and share free classroom resources, and provide meaningful opportunities for teachers and young learners across the country. Every contribution big or small directly supports programs that expand access to Latin and Classical studies at the elementary and middle school levels. Together, we can inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and keep the Classics thriving for years to come.
Ascanius Grant Highlights
Below are some of the Grant Highlights from the 2023-2024 school year!
Ascanius Professional Development Grant
Jeremy Peyton - This grant provided advanced training in spoken Latin and active-language pedagogy through participation in a Latin Immersion Camp hosted by New Aberdeen College and the Ancient Language Institute. The experience strengthened Jeremy’s personal fluency and expanded his instructional techniques as he prepared to teach upper-school Latin. Additional professional development opportunities further enhanced his growth as an educator and deepened his understanding of effective Latin pedagogy. The knowledge and skills gained through these experiences benefited his students through a more immersive, engaging, and communicative approach to Latin instruction. Jeremy Peyton teaches humanities and Latin at New Covenant School in Anderson, South Carolina.
Rudolph Masciantonio ‘Classics for All’ Grant
Sister Bernadette Caron - This grant established and expanded a Latin reading culture by creating a dedicated collection of Latin novellas and other free voluntary reading materials for students across grade levels. The project began with the purchase of engaging Latin texts and the development of a lending system that encouraged students to read both in and outside the classroom. The growing collection fostered cross-grade reading opportunities, increased student engagement with Latin literature, and helped cultivate a sustainable reading community within the school. By increasing access to comprehensible Latin texts, the initiative strengthened reading as a central and lasting component of the school’s Latin program. Sister Bernadette Caron teaches Latin at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic School and Chesterton Academy in Peterborough, Ontario.
Ascanius Classical Promise Grant
Nayan Patel - This grant supported a free public humanities program for elementary and middle school students at the Weston Public Library. Building on the success of a previous session on Hercules, the program explored how Greek mythology reflected the historical, cultural, and social realities of the ancient world. Through interactive presentations, discussion, and educational materials, students gained an accessible introduction to classical literature, history, and critical thinking. The project provided young learners with meaningful exposure to the humanities while fostering curiosity about the ancient world and its continuing influence today. Nayan Patel, a student at The Roxbury Latin School in Boston, shared his passion for Classics through community outreach and educational programming.