Christian Education
A Christ-centered education acknowledges that Jesus Christ is “before all things,” “holds all things . . . together,” and has “reconciled to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven,” (Col. 1:17, 20). The redemptive work through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ is necessary to understand all of reality. This governs and orients our learning in every subject as we strive to teach students who see Christ’s preeminence in all things and are transformed into His image.
The Classical Model
Classical education divides learning into three stages called the Trivium. These stages, Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric, coincide with a child's natural cognitive development.
1
Grammar Stage
1st-5th Grade
Grammar age students are sponges absorbing knowledge easily and with such curiosity. Because memorization comes easily in this stage, it is important to lay the groundwork of knowledge with context as questions of who, what, where, and when are naturally explored.
2
Logic Stage
6th-8th Grade
Logic age students start asking the deeper question of why in their learning as they begin to sort out, understand, and think critically about the world and their place in it. Logic students learn to organize facts and discern arguments as they encounter new ideas.
3
Rhetoric Stage
9th-12th Grade
As Rhetoric students mature into young adults, they become very self-aware and often opinionated on a variety of topics. The rhetoric stage capitalizes on this by developing scholars who are trained to be thoughtful and articulate, who will communicate persuasively, powerfully, and beautifully in whatever vocation God calls them to.