What is Classical Education?

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Classical education is a traditional approach to training the mind. It was first developed by the ancient Greeks, further developed in the Middle Ages, and is still relevant and used as a teaching method today, although we have renovated it to fit out modern needs (thus we are actually neo-classical educators). Rooted in the liberal arts, this method aims to develop critical thinking, effective communication, and a deep understanding of the world through the study of timeless subjects. It is language intensive as opposed to imagery based. Classical education, through the Trivium, aims to nurture well-rounded individuals who possess strong analytical, communicative, and problem-solving abilities, preparing them for lifelong learning and active participation in society, and to pursue a lifelong search of  wisdom, truth, and virtue. 

The trivium is the means through which we teach the academics and the arts to our students. The trivium follows the natural biological and emotional development of the child.  The trivium is composed of the grammar stage (preschool through fourth grade), the logic stage (middle grade years), and finally the rhetoric stage (high school and beyond). 

The grammar stage focuses on the foundational skills of learning, typically for young children. During this phase, students absorb and memorize facts, rules, and the basics of subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics. The goal is to build a strong base of knowledge that students can draw upon in later stages of their education.

In the logic stage, typically during middle school years, students learn to think critically and analytically. They are taught to understand the relationships between different pieces of information and to develop reasoning skills. This stage emphasizes the importance of questioning, forming logical arguments, and understanding cause and effect.

The rhetoric stage is focused on high school students and involves the art of communication. Here, students learn to express their thoughts clearly and persuasively, both in writing and speech. This stage builds on the knowledge and critical thinking skills developed in the logic stage, enabling students to convey their ideas effectively and eloquently.