Catholic Classical Liberal Education

Grades PreK-5

Students in the grammar stage of learning are naturally inquisitive and curious, able to absorb large amounts of information and memorize easily. This stage forms the bedrock of future learning.  The focus is on process and the ability to learn deeply through their senses to develop fine motor skills, observation skills, memorization skills, and the ability to organize and categorize information that will later serve as background knowledge in the following stages of development. Intentional integration of the subjects that comprise the Trivium, or humanities, such as Literature, English language arts, world history, US history, social studies, theology, and Latin, assist the student in learning subjects in their proper perspectives.

Instructional strategy is important. Teachers utilize Socratic and mimetic lessons that lend themselves to engaged intrinsic learning. These lessons are thoughtful and prepare the intellect for future critical thought and consideration by harnessing the power of discovery-based learning, narration of passages, imitation in writing and speaking and training in how to observe. A clear focus on the power of handwriting allows the child to develop the necessary fine motor skills but also develops the areas of the brain that will in the future allow for deeper comprehension and understanding of language in all forms.

God’s natural order of the universe is to be found in math and science. Mathematics, starting with basic arithmetic builds number sense and sets a foundation for geometry, algebra, and higher math, which is number expanded in space. As students discover number in time, their conceptual understanding of Music, proportionately, is understood. The sciences, number in space and time, build an understanding of the natural world, in all of its forms, and gives sense to the elements of life for all creatures, our solar system, our environment, and biological and chemical functions of all matter.  

Through this holistic educational approach given to us from the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, students will be exposed to the basic knowledge required to seek truth, understanding, and wisdom of their world, which will ultimately lead them to God, the creator of it all.

Grades 6-8 (Future)

Middle school students are firmly in the Logic stage of learning. Instead of denying students’ normal argumentative nature, it is harnessed to engage them. By teaching solid logical reasoning students develop discipline of opinion and right judgement by learning to look through a variety of lenses at situations that occur in their studies as well as within their daily lives. Students also master the difficult skill of making connections between content and recognizing cause and effect. This is also where students master the art of writing using solid reasoning and basic rhetorical skills. Continued learning in the Art of Language and the Art of Number is continued through these formative grade levels. Students are exposed to rich texts in all subject areas and through Socratic seminars, study, experimentation, and direction from instructors will learn to thoughtfully consider why things are the way they are and how the interaction of humanity within the world brings about cause and effect to all areas of life. Morality begins to be developed in a more intrinsic manner with greater understanding of consequence to actions. Students begin to learn the cohesiveness of a community and their role in it. Reading for understanding and writing in response are two crucial skills that affect each subject learned at this level.

The Church’s rich intellectual tradition further enhances the curriculum when powerful and thoughtful literature, poetry, music, and art handed down over the last 2000 years is included. Students are able to see the beauty and truth of each academic discipline and develop a keen sense of wonder at the possibilities that lay in front of them as they seek to find their talents and gifts to share. Their understanding of the importance of the Incarnation and the need to have a personal relationship with Christ is enhanced during this time as well as a better understanding of the Church created by Jesus Christ.

Specific curriculum resources will be chosen when the middle school is opened in future years.

Grades 9-12 (Future)

Students will move from the logic stage to the rhetoric stage of development where what they know and have learned is to be shared with others in a meaningful way. Students apply the knowledge and logic skills acquired in earlier stages to solve complex problems, become self-aware, and express what they think using Aristotle’s, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas’ modes and canons of rhetoric. Graduates of St Monica Catholic School will be able to express their viewpoints effectively in writing, oratory, and thoughtful group discussions and have a solid education in the academic disciplines that will both allow them to further their education and later be effective role models in society, able to navigate life as Catholic individuals working for love of God and neighbor.

As the school grows one grade level at a time, the high school curriculum will be further developed in detail in keeping with the mission and purpose of the school.