Classical Education

The purpose of Classical Education is to learn how to live a wise and virtuous life, to discover what is good, true, and beautiful. It is a language-focused philosophy of education designed to give the student a basic foundation of knowledge, to develop the skills necessary for analyzing their environment through careful consideration, and finally to communicate ideas effectively.

The classical model aims to know the truth by observing the world around us. It uses a three-stage process to train the mind as it grows psychologically.

The first stage involves gathering knowledge of facts and skills in basic language, math and history. K-2 teachers present knowledge that students absorb in a classroom setting through stories and examples. Children of this age enjoy memorizing words, facts, songs, and stories. During the 3-5 years of school, the teacher leads the discussion, and the students actively engage in learning language and defining objects perceived through the senses. These are the raw material of understanding.

During the second stage, including grades 6 through 8, students try to make sense of the world and test how everything fits together. Developing connections between the facts in memory and encounters in the world enables new ideas to be accepted or rejected based on the truths exposed in Western Civilization.

The third stage, grades 9 through 12, involves learning the art of communicating effectively - a skill that distinguishes those who lead from those who are led. Each of the subjects from prior grades is further developed through the study of advanced topics.

The synchronous study of art, history, and literature from our earliest heritage through today and repeating the process in more depth as the mind matures develops an understanding of how our culture evolved - both the good and the bad. Students can use that foundation to judge current events more effectively to reach true and moral conclusions as they pursue more advanced and specialized studies.

Upon graduation, students are prepared for more intensive study and specialization. Watch this video to learn more about the structure, the content, and the purpose of Classical Education.