Core Curriculum
The Classical Trivium
As a classical school, we utilize the Trivium. This method of instruction has its origins in the Middle Ages and consists of three stages—grammar, logic and rhetoric.
In the elementary grades, students are first taught the grammar, or facts and rules, of each subject. Logic or dialectic follows in middle school and teaches students to fit together the facts and rules of the grammar stage to produce a cohesive whole. High school students are instructed in rhetoric which teaches them to communicate clearly, effectively, and eloquently the knowledge acquired throughout their academic career. Schaeffer Academy’s goal is to graduate students who are able to think clearly, reason soundly, write gracefully, and live faithfully.
Grammar
Grammar (grades 1-6)
Young children memorize easily, and the Grammar stage includes learning the structure, facts, and rules of each subject.
With this basis of knowledge our students progress to learning logic (the use of concepts within the content of a subject), and, later still, to rhetoric, the persuasive use of ideas and argumentation.
Logic
Logic (grades 7-8)
By the middle years, building on the facts and rules gained in the grammar stage, our students progress to learning logic, defined as the rational use of concepts within the content of a subject. In addition, the students have room in their schedule for two electives.
Core subjects studied
Rhetoric
Rhetoric (grades 9-12)
By the high school years, our students progress to learning rhetoric, the persuasive use of ideas and argumentation relating to a subject. The rhetoric stage incorporates all that has been learned in the previous years of grammar and logic-based study of the core subjects of math, history, language, literature, science, theology, history, music, art, and electives.