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September 9, 2025The worldwide Church canonized a new saint.
The Church in Oklahoma now closely clings to him, too, with the announcement of Saint Carlo Acutis Classical Academy: an Oklahoma Virtual School, scheduled to open next August.
This innovative virtual school will be available to all, initially with students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grades for the 2026-2027 school year, with new grades added each year until the academy is K-12.
The first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis was born in London and raised in Milan. He is known for his devotion to the Eucharist, which he shared with young followers across digital media. An Italian student, he created a website documenting Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions. Acutis, diagnosed with leukemia, died in 2006 at age 15.
Acutis was initially set to be canonized in April, but the ceremony was suspended following the death of Pope Francis, before Pope Leo canonized him with the first such ceremony of his pontificate on Sept. 7.
“We are thrilled to announce the opening of Saint Carlo Acutis Classical Academy,” said Misty Smith, head of school. “Our mission is to bring the richness of the Catholic intellectual tradition into homes through an online format embracing classical curriculum resources that combine both synchronous and asynchronous learning.”
For more information on Saint Carlo Acutis Classical Academy: an Oklahoma Virtual School, visit acutisacademy.org.
Engaging and authentic academic instruction, led by dedicated educators who are committed to nurturing academic and spiritual growth, will be a focus of the school which serves both the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, with the blessing of Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop David Konderla.
Expanding an opportunity to access Catholic education into all reaches of the state – with a clear appetite for it – spurred the move to open a virtual school.
“We recognized a need in our rural communities for Catholic education where brick and mortar schools are unavailable,” Smith said.
In addition to live virtual instruction, Saint Carlo Acutis Classical Academy will also offer geographic hubs throughout Oklahoma parishes. The hubs will provide opportunities for students to gather for hands-on learning, discovery opportunities, labs and community-building activities, fostering fellowship and a strong sense of community, all through the Catholic lens.
“The classes taught at Saint Carlo Acutis Classical Academy will have Jesus Christ as the Logos, focusing on the transcendentals of truth, goodness and beauty with attention given to teaching and growing in virtue,” Archbishop Coakley said. “The focus of all school curriculum will be the nurturing of the Christian development of each student and by providing guidelines for academic excellence in the context of our Catholic faith through the Catholic intellectual tradition.”
Said Bishop Konderla: “Carlo loved video games, computer programming, soccer, school and spending time with friends, but most of all, he loved our Lord Jesus Christ. Deeply devoted to the Eucharist, Carlo used his knowledge of the internet to create a website documenting Eucharistic miracles, which has since inspired and educated people around the world. His life exemplified humility, piety, devotion, and discipline. His faith-filled life continues to inspire young people everywhere.”
And that faith-filled life will be a model for the new school.
“Saint Carlo Acutis said ‘To be with God, that is my life project,’” Smith said, “and everything we at the academy do walks us closer to unity with Christ.”
John Helsley is editor of the Sooner Catholic.
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