What we mean when we say Classical.
Classical education may mean different things to the different schools and organizations using the term. At St. Sophia, when we say classical education, we don’t mean history cycles or memory jingles. But rather, a traditional education, the same education received by history’s greatest thinkers. Only then it wasn’t called classical education, it was just… education.
What Is A Classical Education? And Why Does It Need Defending?
In this video Tracy Lee Simmons, classical scholar, and author of Climbing Parnassus, describes his encounter with the book by Sir Richard Winn Livingstone, A Defence of Classical Education. Originally published in 1916, this volume, and Tracy Lee Simmons description of it, aptly explains the philosophy of the education provided at St. Sophia Classical Academy.
Christian
Our faith statement is the Nicene Creed, an ancient and widely accepted expression of the essential beliefs of the Christian faith.
St. Sophia Classical Academy teaches and upholds traditional Christian morality, and the Holy Scriptures as the divinely inspired word of God.
We ask that each family respect our distinctive Christian identity. In all of our instruction we are respectful of other faiths, while humbly maintaining the truth of our Christian faith.
Classical
The intensive study of Latin in the grammar school years develops the minds of students as no other subject can. Students who have learned how to learn with Latin become better students in all other subjects. The study of classical languages and the Greek and Roman classics provides a path to wisdom and knowledge that cannot be attained by any other method. In the tradition of Western civilization, education and classical education have always been synonymous.
Classical education can be distinguished from modern education in that it does not neglect the important first step of giving students the classical tools for both intellectual development and for understanding their classical Christian heritage.
Traditional
Although many experimental innovations have been tried by schools during the last century, none have been able to duplicate the success of the traditional classroom.
In the traditional classroom, a knowledgeable, enthusiastic teacher carefully leads students into an understanding of each subject. Classrooms are quiet, orderly, and disciplined. Lessons are incremental, content is age-appropriate, and students learn the important skill of quality written work completed in a timely manner. Homework for our logic and rhetoric students is moderate and for the purpose of practicing or preparing for a lesson. The traditional classroom is consistent with human nature, and the experience of many decades has demonstrated its superiority over the modern child-centered classroom.
Curriculum
A classical Christian education aspires to give students the kind of wisdom that would require a lifetime of experience to achieve on their own. This wisdom is gained by reading the classics under the guidance of teachers who have integrity, knowledge, and wisdom.
The Memoria Press curriculum (which you can see here) is a coherent whole, in which each year of study builds upon the skills and knowledge of the previous year. Families should not be deterred, however, by the cumulative nature of our classical curriculum. With assistance from our staff and some summer preparation, motivated students can enter our program of studies at any grade level and be very successful.
Our formal classical curriculum begins in 3rd grade, so students who enter our program any year after 3rd grade are encouraged to select books from our curriculum list for summer reading and, if necessary, to avail themselves of our preparatory summer work for incoming new students. For Latin, however, no extra preparation is necessary. An age-appropriate beginner class is available for all new students.
The typical high school courses, such as American Literature or World History, are missing from our curriculum; instead there are the three “Studies” areas—Classical/Christian Studies, English Studies, and American/Modern Studies. In these integrated courses, students learn the history, geography, literature, and art of each culture. We believe this is an effective method of learning about the past, one which decreases fragmentation and increases understanding and retention. Courses in our three- pronged “Studies” curriculum satisfy college requirements for history, English, and geography.
Philosophy
Latin and Greek, mathematics, and music are foundational and universal languages. They are the cumulative and challenging subjects in the St. Sophia curriculum, enabling students to reach their full intellectual potential by developing the powers of the mind as no other subjects can. The singing of sacred music awakens the soul to God and assists in creating a community of faith, hope, and love. A careful reading of the classics, guided by the truths of the historic Christian faith, develops wisdom and virtue. Our curriculum is organized into the following six academic subjects plus music, art, and physical education:
• Classical Languages • Mathematics • English Studies
• Classical/Christian Studies • Science • American/Modern Studies