Philosophy of the 3 Schools

Grammar: KPrep 鈥� 6th Grade

Viewing grammar as an art (rather than a subject), it joins the understanding of how language works to the skills of language acquired through imitative practice. The acquisition of language is essential to the accurate interpretation of texts and the ability to write, hear, and speak. At the grammar stage a child鈥檚 mind is a lot like a sponge, and memorization comes easily and enjoyably.

Logic: 7th 鈥� 8th Grade

In the junior high years, we emphasize connections and interrelations. Through finding arguments and following questions, we study the “why” and “how” of each subject. The study of formal logic (fallacies and syllogisms) comes here, and the arts of conversation, inquiry, and debate begin to emerge.

Rhetoric: 9th 鈥� 12th Grade

High school students are naturally interested in presenting themselves well, so we take advantage of this stage by teaching them how to express ideas most effectively: through beautiful, respectful, creative, and persuasive speech and writing.

Educational Philosophy

The Scriptures declare the existence of the Triune God, the creation and providential control of the universe by God through Jesus Christ, and God鈥檚 creation of man in His own image.

All truth is God鈥檚 truth. The goal of true education is to find the true relationship between both God and man and God and all of the particular details of the universe. To be known truly, all subjects must be studied in the light of God鈥檚 Word. All truth is ultimately religious, and all education must be conducted in light of God鈥檚 perspective on the subject. To assume that any area of knowledge can be known truly apart from God鈥檚 revelation of Himself is to undermine the foundations of all knowledge.

Man is a sinner by nature and choice. As a result, he cannot know or honor God except by submitting his mind and will to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Being restored in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness in Christ, redeemed man can then obey God鈥檚 will. The philosophy of education of 91吃瓜 presupposes this submission of mind and will as the foundation of all true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. This philosophy of education further maintains that to attempt to understand the universe apart from Scripture will naturally lead many to fail to comprehend reality.

The classical model of education involves both the educational method as well as content of the academic studies. This method conducts students through the arts of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Collectively, these arts of language have been called the Trivium. The art of grammar focuses on making students at home in language through imitation such that they become accurate interpreters of what they read and hear. Building on the art of grammar, logic is the art of finding arguments and following questions, including the art of avoiding errors in reasoning and drawing valid inferences. At the rhetoric stage of learning, students exercise the art of persuasion by seeing all the available means of persuasion in a given context. They are also able to talk, write, and think intelligently about a subject. In terms of content, 91吃瓜 requires the study of theology, logic, rhetoric, Latin, literature, history, and the higher mathematics and sciences.

The Christian school operates in loco parentis, that is, 鈥渋n the place of the parents鈥�; therefore, 91吃瓜 exists as a co-laborer to assist parents in fulfilling their duties. The Christian school鈥檚 role supports the ministry of churches by maintaining sound doctrine and equipping students with the intellectual skills necessary for understanding doctrine and for vocational development.

  1. Bring the student into fellowship with God;
  2. Advance the student in spiritual maturity;
  3. Assist the student in developing an analytical Christian mind;
  4. Enable the student to think God鈥檚 thoughts after Him; and
  5. Help the student achieve Christ-like character qualities.

  • Art: Imitation (action) joined with reason; science joined with practice; designed to produce something.
  • Liberal Arts: The Trivium and Quadrivium, consisting of the three arts of language and the four arts of mathematics; together they comprise the tools of learning for demonstrating knowledge and the seeds of learning flowering unto wisdom; the arts pertaining to the flourishing of the soul.
  • Trivium: The three arts of language: grammar, dialectic/logic, and rhetoric.
  • Grammar: The art of being at home in language; like all of the liberal arts, it includes both a productive and a receptive aspect; thus, it includes writing and speaking a language as well as hearing and reading it.
  • Logic: The art of finding arguments and following questions; includes the art of avoiding errors in reasoning and drawing valid inferences (logic), as well as the arts of conversation and inquiry.
  • Rhetoric: Most basically, the art of persuasion; receptively, it is the art of seeing all the available means of persuasion in a given context; productively, it is the art of leading souls through speech.

These definitions come from Kevin Clark and Ravi Scott Jain, The Liberal Arts Tradition: A Philosophy of Christian Classical Education, rev. ed. (Camp Hill: Classical Academic Press, 2019), 289-91.