Education is about more than just test scores. It’s about shaping hearts, minds, and souls. The classical curriculum equips students with timeless tools of learning while nurturing their faith and character.
The classical model was widely used until the mid-20th century; this approach educated most of the great thinkers and artists of the Renaissance, Reformation, and early American historical periods. A classical model also best respects the developmental stages of a child’s learning abilities and seeks to build upon the natural stages of cognitive maturation.
Classical Christian education is based on an approach to learning that emphasizes biblical teachings as the foundation for the pursuit of wisdom, virtue, and excellence. This approach uses the Trivium, a three stage teaching model that compliments the God-designed cognitive development of a child.
The three stages of the Trivium are Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric.
Grammar (1st-6th) – Training of the mind begins in the early years of school. At this stage, children are adapted to memorizing. The classical method uses songs, chants, and rhymes to give students a firm foundation in all subject areas.
Logic (7th & 8th) – With a firm foundation of knowledge, students at this age naturally begin asking questions and become argumentative. Their ability to draw conclusions from a series of facts begins to develop. The classical model uses these natural inclinations to teach students to think critically, reason, and argue well.
Rhetoric (9th-12th) – Rhetoric is the art of communicating well. The final stage focuses on developing persuasive communication skills, particularly writing and speaking. Students learn to express themselves clearly, logically, and eloquently, applying the knowledge and reasoning skills gained in the previous grammar and logic phases. This stage also involves exploring interests, engaging in debate, and developing the ability to defend one’s own beliefs and arguments.
Our founding families, Board of Directors, and staff believe that this method of education was and is the best way to prepare young minds to not only succeed in a rapidly-changing world, but to develop the critical, principled thinking needed in a culture that is, in many ways, at odds with the teachings of Scripture.
As classical Christian education is a new concept for some families, we offer a list of recommended books for families who would like to learn more.
