Curriculum Overview
Grammar School at a glance
First Grade: We use the Spaulding Method ("Spell to Write and Read"), a pure phonics approach, to teach language arts. We also introduce Shurley Grammar and the Progymnasmata Composition program. A partial reading list for our class would include: The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn adapted from Mark Twain by Deidre Laike, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Di Camillo, Aesop's Fables, The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen, etc.
Second Grade: We build on the Spell to Write and Read foundation in language arts, and we progress to the next level of Shurley Grammar and the Progymnasmata Composition program. We finish the second level of Saxon Math. Our history theme is "Ancient Egypt"; Egypt serves as our theme around which our Geography, Art and Bible courses are integrated. A partial reading list for our students would include: Caps for Sale by E. Slobodkina, The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by A. Dagliesh, The Boxcar Children by G. Warner, Pharaohs and Pyramids by Tony Allan, Growing up in Ancient Egypt by R. David, Ancient Egypt by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., etc.
Third Grade: We continue Spell to Write and Read, Shurley Grammar, Progymnasmata Composition, and Saxon Math. Our history theme is Ancient Greece and Rome, and our Art, Geography and Bible courses are integrated into the Greco-Roman theme. A partial reading list for our students would include: Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, The Hundred Dresses by E. Estes, The Cricket in Times Square by G. Selden, Sarah, Plain and Tall by P. Mac Lachlan, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, etc.
Fourth Grade: We continue Spell to Write and Read, Shurley Grammar, Progymnasmata Composition, and Saxon Math. We introduce our students to Latin, via the Latin text by C. Perrin. Our history theme is Medieval Europe, and our Art, Geography and Bible courses are integrated into the Medieval theme. A partial reading list for our students would include: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by R. Dahl, Saint Patrick: Missionary to Ireland by M. McHugh, Pilgrim's Progress by J. Bunyan, Luther the Leader by V. Robinson, Beowulf the Warrior by S. Heaney and I. Serraillier, The Minstrel in the Tower by G. Skurzynski, etc.
Fifth Grade: We continue Spell to Write and Read, Progymnasmata Composition, Saxon Math and Latin by C. Perrinwe. We begin Rod and Staff Grammar for middle school students. Our history theme is the New World: North and South America, and our Art and Geography courses are integrated into the New World theme. A partial reading list for our students would be: Where the Red Fern Grows by W. Rawls, Johnny Tremain by E. Forbes, The Secret Garden by F.H. Burnett, Poor Richard by J. Daugherty, Amos Fortune by E. Yates, etc.
Sixth Grade: We finish Spell to Write and Read. We continue Rod and Staff Grammar, Progymnasmata Composition, Saxon Math, and Latin. Our history theme is America: Post-Civil War. A partial reading list would be: Tuck Everlasting by N. Babbit, Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by M. Taylor, Tales from Shakespeare by C. and M. Lamb, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir A.C. Doyle, The Scarlet Pimpernel by B. Orczy, Animal Farm by G. Orwell.
Upper School at a glance
The following tables show our upper school's core curriculum. Please keep in mind that due to class sizes and various other restrictions not all of these class can be offered every year, some grades/classes may be combined. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.| Subject | 7th Grade | 8th Grade | 9th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theology | Old Testament Survey | New Testament Survey | Theology 1 |
| Literature | Ancient | European | Ancient (Great Books*) |
| Math | Algebra 1/2 | Algebra 1 | Geometry |
| Science | Earth Science | Logic | Physics |
| History | Ancient | European | American (Great Books*) |
| Grammar | English Grammar | English Grammar | |
| Language | Latin 1 | Latin 2 | Latin 3 |
| Electives | various (e.g. Art) | various | various |
| Subject | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theology | Theology 2 |
Theology 3 |
Theology 4 |
| Great Books* | Medieval | Reformation - Modern | 19th and 20th Centuries |
| Math | Algebra 2 |
Advanced FST |
Calculus (planned for future class) |
| Science | Chemistry | Biology | Physiology (planned for future class) |
| Language | Greek 1 | Greek 2 | |
| Rhetoric | Rhetoric 1 |
Rhetoric 2 plus Senior Thesis Project | |
| Elective | various (e.g. Choral) | various | various |
* This course meets 2 hours a day.