How It's Going

Lupercal is a Latin education nonprofit based in the Boston area, offering one-on-one Latin tutoring and small-group Latin classes for middle school, high school, and adult learners in Greater Boston and online. Our tutors are experienced classroom teachers who use active Latin, inclusive texts, and clear explanations to help students thrive—from Latin 1 through AP Latin.

Who we work with
We support a wide range of learners: students who are struggling in their school Latin class, high-achievers preparing for honors or AP Latin, homeschoolers looking for a structured Latin program, and adults who want to return to Latin for pleasure or professional growth. Whether a learner needs to rebuild confidence, catch up, or go deeper, we tailor our sessions to their goals.

Our approach to teaching Latin
Lupercal’s tutors use active Latin (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), not just memorization and worksheets. We prioritize inclusive, engaging texts—including stories by and about women in the ancient world—alongside clear grammar instruction and scaffolded practice. This blend helps students feel both challenged and supported while they build real proficiency in Latin.

Why families and learners choose Lupercal

Experienced, certified Latin teachers
Personalized tutoring plans and clear communication with families
Support from Latin 1 through AP Latin and beyond
Options for in-person sessions in the Boston area and online tutoring

Get in touch
To learn more about Latin tutoring or small-group classes with Lupercal, please contact us at skyeshirley@gmail.com, laurenkdowney@gmail.com or visit our Contact page.

Book a Class

Lupercal_at_MFA

In April 2018, Latin teacher Skye Shirley founded Lupercal in the Boston area to bridge a gender gap in the field of Latin studies.

At these meetings, a tenured university professor might lean over to better hear a high-school senior share her insights about Cornificia, a Roman woman who spent her whole life writing works that were long ago lost.

Then in February 2020, Skye and Lauren registered Lupercal as non-profit agency. And then . . . the pandemic hit! Instead of meeting in various cities, we gathered online. Women across the global flocked to our Facebook group and soon we had 600+ members! The in-person programming migrated well to the online platform and enabled us to include author visits from the Mary Beard, Nina MacLaughlin, and Helen Morales to name a few. Taking into account four time zones to schedule meetings meant we were truly a global community!

Now we're expanding our mission to support teachers and students who are endeavoring to start or continue their Latin journey.

How It's Going

How It Started