Academics
The Classical Christian Education (CCE) approach is based on the "Trivium", which consists of the grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages. These stages align with the natural development of adolescents.
The Grammar Stage
Kindergarten - 5th Grade
(VCCS Anticipates K-4
Offering The First Year)
Encouraging the natural ability of young children to memorize information, the factual foundation of all subjects is taught using songs, chants, and rhymes. This engages children to interact with the basic facts of subjects such as the Bible, Latin, math, science, and grammar in a way that fosters not only retention but a love for the process of learning.
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The role of the teacher: Instructor
The Logic or
Dialectic Stage
6th - 8th Grade
(Future Offering)
As children begin to think independently, they display an innate propensity for argumentation. Through the study of formal logic, children are taught to assimilate the facts they learned in the grammar stage -culminating in a more thorough understanding of their subjects. While learning the fundamentals of forming, writing, and explaining a good argument, children are able to reason through questions and the arguments of others in a way that is rational, meaningful, and productive.
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The role of the teacher: Coach
The Rhetoric Stage
9th - 12th Grade
(Future Offering)
Having learned to assimilate the facts of the grammar stage and form rational conclusions about the interrelationships of foundational concepts within each subject through the logic phase, students learn to fine-tune their communication in the rhetoric stage. Students in this stage possess a keen awareness of how they are perceived, which helps students to thrive through learning the art of communicating well as they are encouraged to effectively articulate their ideas in each subject through writing and orating.
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The role of the teacher: Mentor