Challenging Curriculum

Trinity Classical Academy features a very challenging curriculum that targets the developmental needs of Grammar School students by its focus on memorization of the facts and principles that comprise every subject area.  Students use a variety of techniques in song, chants, recitation, diagramming, acting and creating timeliness to engage a variety of learning styles. These building blocks establish the foundation for the abstract thinking skills which are developed later in the stages of Logic and Rhetoric.

At Trinity, teaching through the Bible is an essential part of education. By 6th grade, all of our students will have studied through the Bible from beginning to end. In 7th grade they begin to go through the Bible again, this time in a more in-depth manner.

• Have the students read the actual text for themselves versus only prescribed verses.
  
  
• Begin with an overview of the redemption story and proceed to the study of historic epics using inductive methodology.
  
  
• Encourage the students to understand verses in context, along with other good interpretation principles.
  
  
• Let the Scriptures speak for themselves, with clarification only as needed.
  
  
• Teach the students to understand the Bible as God's Word.
  
  
• Teach the Biblical pattern of Salvation.
  
  
• Encourage each student to come to the Father, through the Son, and grow in his or her knowledge and love of Him.
  
  

• Equip every student with the skills necessary for good writing, including spelling, grammar, style clarity, proofreading, etc.
  
  
• Put a major emphasis on good writing by requiring the students to write often and correctly in each subject area.
  
  
• Encourage clear thinking by the students by requiring clear, focused writing.
  
  
• Introduce the students to many styles of writing using the Bible and other classics.

• Use phonics as the primary-building blocks for teaching students to read.
  
  
• Encourage the students to read correctly beginning in Kindergarten.
  
  
• Introduce the students to high quality children's literature through our Literature program beginning in first grade.
  
  
• Carefully monitor the student's reading abilities to ensure a reasonable level of proficiency, adequate comprehension, and fluency in oral and silent reading. This includes the proper use of word-attack skills.

• Instruct students in the fundamental vocabulary and grammar of Latin to better their understanding of English, the history and writings of Western Civilization, and the Romance languages.
  
  
• Reinforce the student's understanding of the reasons for, and the use of the parts of speech being taught in our traditional English grammar class work, e.g. plurals, nouns, verbs, prepositions, direct objects, tenses, etc.
  
  
• Cultivate learning skills and logical thinking skills inherent in the study of Latin.

• Broaden the students' understanding of history and geography by gradually deepening their level of exposure and research as the students mature from kindergarten through elementary school into high school.
  
  
• Make history and geography "come alive" for the students through the use of many forms of information and research, e.g. biographies, illustrations, field trips, guest speakers, music, art, food, architecture, etc.
  
  

• Ensure that the students have a thorough mastery of basic mathematical functions and tables.
  
  
• Emphasize a conceptual as well as practical understanding of math through the frequent use of word problems.
  
  
• Illustrate God's unchanging character through the timeless, logical mathematical systems He gave to man through His gift of reason.
  
  

• Teach the students that because God made the universe, it has inherent order, which in turn makes it possible to hypothesize and experiment (scientific method). Guided inquiry will reveal to the student the intrinsic laws, systems, and truths God put into Creation.
  
  
• Treat the study of science as a means to and end", not an end in itself. That is, curiosity, experimentation, demonstration, research, should be emphasized as the process and way of using science, as opposed to the study of facts. Facts should be attained as the result of research and discovery, versus lecture. By the time the students enter secondary level science, they should be extremely familiar with the scientific method, through repeated practice.
  
  
• Use many forms of instruction to teach scientific concepts and methods, e.g. a large variety of experiments, demonstrations, research projects, field trips, guest speakers, etc.

• Teach all students the basic fundamental of drawing to enable them to create adequate renderings.
  
  
• Encourage the students to appreciate and imitate the beauty of the Creation in their own works.
  
  
• Introduce the students to the works of the masters in Western culture.
  
  
• Equip the students to knowledgeably use a variety of art media.

• Train the students to sing knowledgeably, joyfully, and skillfully to the Lord on a regular basis.
  
  
• Systematically instruct students in the fundamentals of vocal and instrumental music.
  
  
• Enrich the teaching of Scripture through the teaching of many classic, meaningful hymns.
  
  
• Encourage the students to select some area of music, vocal or instrument, to pursue on their own.

• Teach fundamental loco motor and manipulative skills through exercise, games and activities.
  
  
• In cooperation with the families, encourage the students to knowledgeably establish and maintain good health and nutritional habits.
  
  
• To enhance Biblical patterns of behavior through activities requiring cooperation, teamwork, and general good sportsmanship.