A Primer on Classical Christian Education

This blog entry seeks to explain the Classical Christian Education to promote awareness of its ideals. First, I discuss the more general Classical Education and then delve into the more specific, which is the Classical Christian Education approach.

The Classical Education is essentially described by the Trivium, which is a teaching model that tailors the educational curriculum to a child’s cognitive development.

Using language of the contempory establishment, the Trivium proceeds using the following process:
1. Elementary School - Concrete thinking and memorization of the facts
2. Middle School - Analytical thinking and understanding
3. High School - Abstract thinking and articulation

Subjects unique to Classical Education which help accomplish the goals of the Trivium are:
1. Grammar - Science of language usage
2. Logic - Science of right thinking
3. Rhetoric - Science of verbal and written expression

The Classical Education approach can be further refined with a stronger emphasis of Christian ideals. This refinement is identified as the Classical Christian Education (CCE). The CCE is characterized by a rich exposure to the history, art, and culture of Western Civilization, including its languages (Latin and Greek), its philosophy and literature (the Great Books of Western Civilization and the Christian tradition), and the development of a Biblical worldview with Theology in its proper place as the Queen of the Sciences.

One benefit of the CCE is that it can proceed at the child's own pace. Not so that we go too fast for the child and "leave them behind". But rather, I don't want to hinder their progress according to my prejudice about when I encountered the subject matter. For instance, I did not engage in learning foreign language until the 8th grade. The CCE introduces foreign language in the grammar stage (elementary years). If a child is able to read by the age of 3 or 4, let them read (not uncommon for Classical homeschoolers). Because the primary purpose of teaching our children to read is so that they can read the Word of God. And sooner the better.

My opinion is that homeschooling in-concert with a co-op strikes a healthy balance between homeschooling and also allowing a child to get healthy social interaction with other children. If a family still feels that homeschooling is not for them, then I encourage them to consider a CCE academy in their area.

For example, here are some academy schools that I am aware of across the nation. I will update this list as I discover more.

• FaithWest School (Katy, TX)
  
• Veritas Christian Academy (Houston, TX)
• Memorial Lutheran School (Missouri Synod) (Houston, TX)
• Veritas Academy (Leola, PA)
• Logos School (Moscow, ID)
• Geneva School (Winter Park, FL)