Classical

Why Classical?

In the 1940's the British author, Dorothy Sayers, wrote an essay titled “The Lost Tools of Learning.” In it she calls for a return to the application of the Seven Liberal Arts of ancient education, the first three being the Trivium.

A classical school is therefore one that utilizes the Trivium in its approach to instruction. This methodology corresponds to the developmental phases a child grows through in school. These three phases correspond to the biblical categories of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. The grammar or knowledge stage is the “gathering information” stage in which children memorize facts and learn rules and instructions. This capitalizes on children’s high capability of memorization in early ages. In the logic or understanding stage, students learn discernment and good judgment. They learn the relationships within knowledge—how particular facts are connected and related to each other. In the rhetoric or wisdom stage, students are taught how to apply knowledge and understanding to various circumstances and situations.

Children grow naturally through these developmental stages. A classical education takes advantage of these stages by combining them with the manner in which all subjects are taught. An acquisition of knowledge and understanding is thus supported by the natural developmental abilities of the student, helping content to be more easily mastered.

Why Christian?

A Christian school is an educational institution that approaches the nature of knowledge from a biblical perspective. In Colossians 2:3, the Apostle Paul tells us that “in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Jesus Christ, Himself, is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. All wisdom and knowledge then are ultimately designed so that we come to the true knowledge of God’s Son (Col. 2:2). If all true knowledge finds both its source and its end in Christ, then education by necessity must be Christian, that is, Christ-centered.

A Christian school is secondly an educational institution that approaches the students from a biblical perspective. The Presbyterian theologian of a century ago, Robert Lewis Dabney, noted, “True education is, in a sense, a spiritual process; it is the nurture of the soul.” All students are made in the image of God, and their education should encompass what they are as body-soul human beings. Thus, education is a spiritual process that sees the student as a whole person, mind, body, and spirit. A Christian school therefore, sees that all true education is Christ-centered — it should point us to the Son of God, whether the subject be science, math, or P.E. It is the whole truth for the whole person, body, mind, and soul, that leads the student to glorify Christ in his life with his mind.

“The real difference between Christian schools and all other educational systems, public or private, must be traced back to its source in two antithetical worldviews: on the one hand, the worldview that takes the living God, Creator, Revealer, and Redeemer, as its starting point, listening dependently to His revelation in Scripture, creation, and providence; and, on the other hand, the worldview that, explicitly or implicitly, denies that the God of the Bible is the source of all reality and the measure of all truth.”

– Dennis Johnson, Professor of Pastoral Theology at Westminster Seminary in Escondido , California and editor of the book “Foundations of Christian Education”

A classical Christian school uniquely joins two vital tenets in primary school education: the classical methodology and the Christian worldview. By utilizing the classical method, the teachers at Grace Christian Academy are better able to pass on the invaluable “tools of learning,” which will be used to help build the foundation of education, with Christ as the cornerstone.

At Grace Christian Academy , we apply the classical method of education to every discipline (English, Latin, math, history, geography, science, music, art, and logic) through a variety of teaching techniques and hands-on activities carefully related to a child’s age and stage of development.

Why GCA?

Because we value education and understand our children need proper training. We believe that academics, hard work and enjoyment are not mutually exclusive. Learning should be a pleasurable endeavor, and one that presents a challenge. The learning environment at Grace Christian Academy enables each student to develop a true sense of personal accomplishment and an understanding of his or her God-given abilities.

With our low student to teacher ratio we are able to accomplish this. In addition, we strive to maintain a kind, loving, and cohesive learning environment which naturally leads to a high level of camaraderie amongst our students providing a family-like atmosphere.

Classical Links

We believe that the most important links that we can provide are from a well trained mind to a full heart for God and His glory in your child.

We do however recommend that you read through the following essay.

A must read for an understanding of what Classical Education is and why it is important - The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy Sayers

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