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CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

  • Christ-Centered

    In all its levels, programs, and teaching, Coram Deo Academy seeks to: Teach all subjects as parts of an integrated whole with the Scriptures at the center (II Timothy 3:16-17); Provide a clear model of the biblical Christian life through our staff and board (Matthew 22:37-40); Encourage every student to begin and develop his relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 19:13-15).

    Classical

    In all its levels, programs, and teaching, Coram Deo Academy seeks to: Emphasize grammar, logic, and rhetoric in all subjects (see definitions below); Encourage every student to develop a love for learning and live up to his academic potential; Provide an orderly atmosphere conducive to the attainment of the above goals.

    Grammar: The fundamental rules of each subject.
    Logic: The ordered relationship of particulars in each subject.
    Rhetoric: How the grammar and logic of each subject may be clearly expressed.

    What Do We Mean by Classical?

    In the 1940s, British author Dorothy Sayers wrote an essay titled The Lost Tools of Learning. In her work, she not only calls for a return to the application of the seven liberal arts of ancient education, the first three being the “Trivium” – grammar, logic, and rhetoric, but she also combines three stages of children’s development with the Trivium. Specifically, she matches what she calls the “Poll-parrot” stage with grammar, “Pert” with logic, and “Poetic” with rhetoric. At Coram Deo Academy, the founding board members were intrigued by the idea of applying classical education in a Christian context. Tim Rehmer, a founding board member, explained the classical method further in this short video below, What Is A Classical Christian Education? Coram Deo Academy has been committed to implementing this form of education since the school’s inception.

  • THE TRIVIUM

    The Trivium - A Brief Overview
    Note: Within the Classical Trivium, there are apparent overlaps as a child moves through each learning stage. Ultimately, the Classical Trivium seeks to cooperate with the developmental and learning tendencies God has given children.

    •    Grammar – Elementary. Also known as the Poll-Parrot stage, the Grammar stage is a time to excite children about learning while filling them full of interesting and essential facts, such as math tables, geography, dates, events, plant and animal classifications, and characteristics, anything that lends itself to easy repetition and assimilation in a young mind. Material is presented in interactive, fun ways that encourage young students to learn and parrot back. During the Grammar stage, children possess a great natural ability to memorize large amounts of material, even though they may not always understand its significance. The grammar stage capitalizes on a child’s natural tendency to please and trust their teachers. As Christian disciples, it is essential that self-confidence and a life-long love for reading and learning be cultivated during the Grammar stage.

    •    Logic – Junior High. Also known as the Pert or Dialectic stage, the Pert stage is when a young person is not only interested in learning facts. During this stage, the student begins to use reason to ask questions based on what was learned during the Grammar stage. This is an exciting and challenging time for students and teachers. It is at this stage that formal logic is introduced. As Christian disciples, the desired outcome is clear: logical thinking and the ability to separate truth from fiction and fact from theory.

    •    Rhetoric – High School. Also known as the Poetic stage, this is the stage during which students are taught to apply the facts of grammar and utilize logic in their thinking. Creative thinking and problem-solving do not spring forth from a void but come from a vital foundation of content and organized thought. Rhetorical skills are taught to leverage grammar (basics) and logic (sound thinking) into the student’s academic interests, future educational specializations, and potential employment options. As Christian disciples, the goal for graduates from this stage is the capacity to dream big dreams, conquer life’s challenges, and provide clear, articulate responses to questions of faith. Our hope is that Rhetoric graduates will be able disciples of Jesus Christ.