Classical
We teach our students to think logically, read broadly, communicate eloquently, and appreciate artistic beauty.
Modern education is a product of a post-Christian world. Therefore, Christian education must look beyond modern education. Classical education trains students with the tools of learning, while exposing students to content and concepts that have stood the test of time. Graduates of a Christian and classical education are equipped to read Scripture faithfully, exercise Biblical wisdom in every area of their life, and eloquently speak truth.
Skilled Argument and Analysis
Authenticity and sincerity are not sufficient for truth. Students need to argue well with logical thinking and reasoning. Building strong arguments is emphasized through debates, speeches, Socratic discussions, and persuasive writing. Apologetics uses a debate method known as a disputatio that examines classic arguments for and against Christianity. Seniors propose a thesis in rhetoric class and use ethos, pathos, and logos to support their stance on a contemporary issue. While learning logical argument and research, students are thoroughly trained in scientific method and analysis. Math classes challenge students not only to execute procedures, but to understand underlying concepts and solve real-world problems.
Eloquent Expression
Language shapes our relationships, identity, and culture. Learning to master reading, listening, speaking, and writing enables students to speak and write truth winsomely. Appreciation of poetry and a high style are cultivated in students to sharpen skills of persuasion and develop an intuitive understanding of language and life. Nurturing skills in eloquence simultaneously equips students with wise discernment of today’s attractive messages that are contrary to the gospel. Real-world applications of eloquence are practiced in Socratic discussion of challenging classic texts, while students are required to maintain civil discourse with their peers.
Robust Copia
When people desire knowledge today, the typical approach is to type the question into Google. While this is helpful at times, it is unwise to outsource one’s entire understanding of the world to a search engine. A better alternative is to teach students to read a broad array of challenging works from throughout history. As students carefully read, they select and record passages of eloquence and truth in a personal commonplace book. As the commonplace book grows over time, students sort and organize this information into categories that can be used throughout their life in writing and speeches. Some passages are memorized, and others are used as inspiration for expansion in composition. Through building a robust copia, students are armed with an arsenal of truth and beauty that gives them a unique voice and a “ready stance” for any topic or occasion at hand.
A Honed Palate
It is often said, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” but is that true? Students need to be taught and trained what is true, beautiful, and good in the eyes of God. At Covenant, we teach “the best.” The word “classic” means the highest quality. Classical refers to the best of a group or set. We desire to place the best art, music, and literature in front of our students, while leaving room for debating the set of standards of evaluation. Evaluating content by standards develops a mature understanding of the true, beautiful, and good.
