How to Understand Classical Education
We believe that the end (goal) of public education in America is to form responsible citizens and good people who are prepared to thrive. The founders of many of our States were explicit about this when they wrote the rationale for public education into their various state constitutions. We seek the growth of classical schools in general, and Founders in particular, to promote these two essential ends on a national scale. We believe that when classical schools and related educational programs become widespread and the quality of students these schools produce are recognized, we will begin to see a significant transformation in our country in terms of citizenship and moral conduct.
Our approach to classical education is a mindset, a body of knowledge, and an instructional method. The mindset says that well-informed, moral, and self-governing people who pursue the common good promote a healthy and free society. That mindset is informed by a distinct body of knowledge and tools of learning that promote an understanding of the human experience and the world in which we live. That body of knowledge and tools provides us simultaneously with a common language and principles, and compelling and beautiful content around which to form thoughtful and rational thinkers. The instructional method includes the instruction in explicit phonics, mathematics and logic, science and rhetoric. We want our students to learn to teach themselves and each other through Socratic inquiries. Our classical threefold method of instruction recognizes that all learning is built upon previous learning and that students learn in a hierarchical manner:
- Grammar: systematic knowledge acquisition,
- Logic: dialectic and logic that is an extension of the knowledge, and
- Rhetoric: the art of persuasion, which provides for the eloquent expression of thought and meaningful engagement with others.
This is not to suggest that learning is only hierarchical. It is evident that a student of any age can reason, argue, and act in a manner that reflects the goals of classical education. The question really is to what extent can it be done based on experience, physical, intellectual and emotional growth a student has attained.
What all of this means is that as your child progresses with us from Kindergarten to 12th grade, you should expect to see that he or she will become a more responsible person who understands and loves the idea of goodness, knows a great deal about what it means to be human, and has been built up in such a way that he or she can promote good things for others while being a valuable member of society.
Mike Terry
National Director of Classical Education
Founders Classical Academy